Acts 27:1-8
1 Now when it was decided that we would sail for Italy, they proceeded to turn Paul and some other prisoners over to a centurion of the Augustan cohort, named Julius.
2 And we boarded an Adramyttian ship that was about to sail to the regions along the coast of Asia, and put out to sea accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica.
3 The next day we put in at Sidon; and Julius treated Paul with consideration and allowed him to go to his friends and receive care.
4 From there we put out to sea and sailed under the shelter of Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.
5 When we had sailed through the sea along the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we landed at Myra in Lycia.
6 There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy, and he put us aboard it.
7 When we had sailed slowly for a good many days, and with difficulty had arrived off Cnidus, since the wind did not permit us to go farther, we sailed under the shelter of Crete, off Salmone;
8 and with difficulty sailing past it, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near which was the city of Lasea.
From Caesarea to Crete (2)
A centurion named Julius
“Now when it was decided that we would sail for Italy, they proceeded to turn Paul and some other prisoners over to a centurion of the Augustan cohort, named Julius.” (1) The ship sets sail from the port of Caesarea. As it says “we,” Luke was accompanying Paul. Since Paul left Philippi (Acts 20:5), Luke had been traveling with him. It is also believed that Luke served Paul during his two years in Caesarea. (2) This passage corresponds to the fourth “we passage,” and it is the longest one (Acts 27:1-28:16). The “we passage” add credibility to Luke’s account because he wrote as an eyewitness. (3) The phrase “Paul and some other prisoners” is used. Since Paul was a Roman citizen, he was likely treated more courteously than the other prisoners. The names and number of the other prisoners are unknown. They were probably Gentile prisoners who were either to be put on trial or used as spectacles in combat with gladiators. (4) A centurion of the imperial guard named Julius appears. According to NIV translation, he “belonged to the Imperial Regiment.” He was a centurion of an esteemed unit. The centurions who appear in the New Testament are all remarkable figures, and Julius was also a noble-hearted centurion. He came to show kindness to Paul. It was by God’s providence that this centurion, Julius, was in command of the ship.
Adramyttian ship
“And we boarded an Adramyttian ship that was about to sail to the regions along the coast of Asia…” (1) A “Adramyttium ship” is a ship whose home port was Adramyttium. The port of Adramyttium was located southeast of Troas in Asia Minor. This ship was a small coastal vessel that sailed along the shoreline and was attempting to return to its home port before the winter storm season arrived. The centurion boarded this ship with the intention of transferring to a Rome-bound vessel along the way. (2) It also says that they “put out to sea accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica.” Like Luke, Aristarchus also served Paul during his two years in Caesarea. The presence of these companions was highly significant. Their support was an encouragement to Paul and also served as a testament to Paul’s reliability and character. When we go through hardships, God especially looks after us. The presence of brothers and sisters who share the same faith becomes a great encouragement. Furthermore, the providential hand of God strengthens and sustains us.
Today's prayer
Heavenly Father, even now, You sustain us believers with Your providential hand. Today, I will walk in trust of You. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.