And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.

And setting sail thence we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.

And when we had lanched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.

And thence, having set sail, we sailed under Cyprus, because of the winds being contrary,

Putting to sea again, we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were against us;

And sailing again from there, we went on under cover of Cyprus, because the wind was against us.

And when we had set sail from there, we navigated below Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.

Putting to sea again, we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the wind was against us;

We sailed under Cyprus - For an account of Cyprus, see the notes on Acts 4:36. By sailing "under Cyprus" is meant that they sailed along its coasts; they kept near to it; they thus endeavored to break off the violent winds. Instead of steering a direct course in the open sea, which would have exposed them to violent opposing winds, they kept near this large island, so that it was between them and the westerly winds. The force of the wind was thus broken, and the voyage was rendered less difficult and dangerous. They went between Cyprus and Asia Minor, leaving Cyprus to the left. A sailor would express the idea by saying that they sailed under the lee of Cyprus. Had it not been for the strong western winds, they would have left it on the right.
The winds were contrary - Were from the west, or southwest, which thus prevented their pursuing a direct course.

We sailed under Cyprus - See on Acts 4:36 (note).

And when we had launched from thence,.... From Sidon:
we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary; that is, they sailed below the island of Cyprus; of which see Acts 4:36 whereas if the wind had been right for them, they would have sailed above the island; leaving it on the right hand, in a straight course to Myra; but now they were obliged to go below it, leaving it on the left hand, going in part about it, through the seas of Cilicia and Pamphylia to Lycia, as follows.

when we had launched--"set sail."
from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary--The wind blowing from the westward, probably with a touch of the north, which was adverse, they sailed under the lee of Cyprus, keeping it on their left, and steering between it and the mainland of Phœnicia.

Sailed under Cyprus. Near the eastern coast, where, by keeping near the shore, the contrary winds would be less felt, being broken by the highlands of the great island. The wind must have been from the northwest. The geographical details of this voyage are so accurate that they must have been written by an eye-witness.
Myra, a city of Lycia. Reached by sailing over the seas of Cilicia and Pamphylia. Myra was a well-known port of that period.

We sailed under Cyprus - Leaving it on the left hand.