Acts 27:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And when it was decided that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan Cohort named Julius.

NIV: When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the Imperial Regiment.

NASB: 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.

CSB: When it was decided that we were to sail to Italy, they handed over Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion named Julius, of the Imperial Regiment.

NLT: When the time came, we set sail for Italy. Paul and several other prisoners were placed in the custody of a Roman officer named Julius, a captain of the Imperial Regiment.

KJV: And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band.

NKJV: And when it was decided that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to one named Julius, a centurion of the Augustan Regiment.

After two years under house arrest in Caesarea Maritima for crimes he didn't commit, Paul appealed his case to Caesar (Acts 25:6–12). He's now on his way to Rome, along with Luke and Aristarchus (Acts 27:2). Aristarchus is apparently also a prisoner (Colossians 4:10); it's unclear if Luke is, but there's no reason to think so (Colossians 4:14). Later, Paul identifies Epaphras as his fellow prisoner, while Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke are depicted as free companions (Philemon 1:23–24). Luke doesn't explain where he has been during Paul's incarceration. It's reasonable to assume he spent time in Caesarea caring for Paul and in Jerusalem gathering information for his Gospel which tradition says was sent from Caesarea.

The Augustan Cohorts were honored units made of auxiliary troops. Guarding prisoners was probably not Julius' primary responsibility. Centurions were commanders of about one hundred troops and known for being steady, level-headed, and brave. Centurions in the New Testament have a good reputation. Jesus was impressed by the faith of a centurion who insisted Jesus could heal his servant from a distance (Matthew 8:5–13). The centurion at the cross watched Jesus die, and said, "Truly this was the Son of God!" (Matthew 27:54). The centurion Cornelius invited Peter to share the gospel with his house filled with Gentiles (Acts 10). Julius is kind to Paul and will—eventually—learn to trust him and even save his life (Acts 27:3, 30–32, 42–43).

Acts 27:1–8 records the first leg of Paul, Luke, and Aristarchus's sea voyage to Rome. After two governors refused to give Paul justice, he appealed his case to Rome. The trio board at Caesarea Maritima under the custody of Julius, a centurion. After changing to a larger ship, the weather turns uncooperative in Myra and the winds blow the ship into a ferocious storm. Paul spends the voyage reassuring the passengers and encouraging the crew to make wise choices. They eventually crash on the island of Malta: the ship and cargo are destroyed, but everyone lives.

Acts 27 is an account of a famous sea voyage. Paul, Luke, and Aristarchus travel from Caesarea Maritima on their way to Rome. False charges and two years of imprisonment in Caesarea led Paul to appeal his case to a higher Roman court, and he is now on his way to that court. The chapter can be divided into seven paragraphs, alternating between descriptions of the sea voyage and Paul trying to keep everyone alive during a horrific storm. Eventually, they shipwreck on Malta. The ship and cargo are a complete loss, but no one dies.

Twice the Sanhedrin brought unfounded charges against Paul. In both cases, the ruling governor knew Paul was innocent but refused to let him go. Finally, Paul appealed his case to Caesar (Acts 24:22–27; 25:1–12). He, Luke, Aristarchus, and 273 others sail for Rome. But they shipwreck on a reef off the island of Malta. When they finally reach Rome, Paul will meet with Jewish leaders and tell them how Jesus fulfills the Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah. Some will believe and some won't. This leads Paul to resolve, once again, to focus his efforts on the Gentiles (Acts 28).

The summary of the book of Acts is provided in Jesus' words in Acts 1:8: ''But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'' In Acts 2:1–13, the Christ-followers receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:14—7:60 describes the rapid growth of the church in Jerusalem. Chapters 8—12 find Jewish persecution inadvertently spreading the gospel throughout Judea and Samaria. And in chapters 13—28, Paul and his companions spread the good news throughout the Roman Empire.