Chapter

Acts 27:1

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.

What does Acts 27:1 mean?

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).
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