Acts 27:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The next day we put in at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him leave to go to his friends and be cared for.

NIV: The next day we landed at Sidon; and Julius, in kindness to Paul, allowed him to go to his friends so they might provide for his needs.

NASB: 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.

CSB: The next day we put in at Sidon, and Julius treated Paul kindly and allowed him to go to his friends to receive their care.

NLT: The next day when we docked at Sidon, Julius was very kind to Paul and let him go ashore to visit with friends so they could provide for his needs.

KJV: And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself.

NKJV: And the next day we landed at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him liberty to go to his friends and receive care.

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).

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.