What does Acts 27:3 mean?
Paul is on his way to Rome, accompanied by Aristarchus, who apparently is also a prisoner (Colossians 4:10), and Luke. They set off from Caesarea Maritima and sailed north up the coast to Sidon. Sidon is a Phoenician metropolis with a double harbor. It's about 70 miles, or 113 kilometers, north of Caesarea and 26 miles, or 42 kilometers, north of Tyre. It would be a straighter shot to Myra (Acts 27:5) to go east, along the southern coast of Cyprus. However, the winds are from the northwest, and they need to skirt along the ranges of modern-day Asia Minor instead of risking more open water. On his way to Jerusalem, Paul stopped at Tyre and stayed for a week (Acts 21:3–7). His friends may be from Tyre and not Sidon, or he may have traveled to Sidon while he built up the churches (Acts 15:41).Julius is the Roman centurion in charge of the prisoners (Acts 27:1). His treatment of Paul is consistent with the other Roman leaders. Although Governor Festus wrongly held Paul under house arrest for two years, he did allow Paul's friends to care for him (Acts 24:23–27). The centurions in the Bible are all shown in a positive light. One had great faith in Jesus (Matthew 8:5–13), one declared Jesus' deity (Matthew 27:54), and one hosted the first conversion of a large group of Gentiles (Acts 10). Another kept Paul from being flogged (Acts 22:25–26). Julius will grow to trust Paul and even save his life (Acts 27:30–32, 42–43).
