Clarke's Bible Commentary - Acts 27:13
Verse 13. When the south wind blew softly] Though this wind was not very favourable, yet, because it blew softly, they supposed they might be able to make their passage. They sailed close by Crete.] Kept as near the coast as they could. See the track on the map.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 13. And when the south wind blew softly , etc.] Or moderately, which was a good wind for them: supposing that they, had obtained their purpose ; that things would succeed according to their wish, and favour their design: loosing thence ; from the Fair Havens; the Vulgate Latin and Ethiopic versions render it, loosing from Assos; which could not be Assos of Troas, mentioned in ( Acts 20:13) which was many miles from hence; rather Asum, a town in Crete, of which Pliny makes mention, though, according to him, it seems to be an inland town; wherefore it is best to take the word asson , to be an adverb, and render it thence, as we do; or join it with the next word, and render it, they came near, or they sailed close by Crete ; along the shore, the wind favouring them, that they were in no danger of being dashed upon it, it being a soft gentle wind.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 12-20 - Those who launch forth on the ocean of this world, with a fair gale know not what storms they may meet with; and therefore must not easil take it for granted that they have obtained their purpose. Let us neve expect to be quite safe till we enter heaven. They saw neither sun no stars for many days. Thus melancholy sometimes is the condition of the people of God as to their spiritual matters; they walk in darkness, an have no light. See what the wealth of this world is: though coveted a a blessing, the time may come when it will be a burden; not only to heavy to be carried safely, but heavy enough to sink him that has it The children of this world can be prodigal of their goods for the saving their lives, yet are sparing of them in works of piety an charity, and in suffering for Christ. Any man will rather make shipwreck of his goods than of his life; but many rather make shipwrec of faith and a good conscience, than of their goods. The means the sailors used did not succeed; but when sinners give up all hope of saving themselves, they are prepared to understand God's word, and to trust in his mercy through Jesus Christ.
Greek Textus Receptus
υποπνευσαντος 5285 5660 V-AAP-GSM δε 1161 CONJ νοτου 3558 N-GSM δοξαντες 1380 5660 V-AAP-NPM της 3588 T-GSF προθεσεως 4286 N-GSF κεκρατηκεναι 2902 5760 V-RAN αραντες 142 5660 V-AAP-NPM ασσον 788 ADV παρελεγοντο 3881 5711 V-INI-3P την 3588 T-ASF κρητην 2914 N-ASF
Vincent's NT Word Studies
13. Loosing thence (arantev). Lit., having taken up. It is the nautical phrase for weighing anchor. So Rev.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
27:13 {When the south wind blew softly} (hupopneusantos notou). Genitive absolute with aorist active participle of hupopnew, old verb to blow under, qen to blow gently, here only in N.T. "A south wind having blown gently," in marked contrast to the violent northwest wind that they had faced so long. They were so sure of the wisdom of their decision that they did not even draw up the small boat attached by a rope to the vessel's stern (verse #16). It was only some forty miles to Lutro. {Their purpose} (tes proqesews, set before them, from protiqemi), genitive after kratew (kekratekenai, perfect active infinitive in indirect discourse). {They weighed anchor} (arantes). First aorist active participle of air", old verb used in technical sense with tas agkuras (anchors) understood as in Thucydides I. 52; II. 23, "having lifted the anchors." Page takes it simply as "moving." {Sailed along Crete} (parelegonto ten kreten). Imperfect middle. See verse #8, "were coasting along Crete." {Close in shore} (asson). Comparative adverb of agki, near, and so "nearer" to shore. Only here in N.T.
