BOOK OF ACTS
Chapter 27
27:1When 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.
And when it was decided that we should sail for Italy, they proceeded to deliver Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan cohort named Julius.
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.
27:1-2 Use of the pronoun we indicates that Luke accompanied Paul on this journey. Aristarchus is the man who was dragged into the theater at the beginning of the riot in Ephesus (Acts 19:29; Acts 20:4; Philemon 1:24).
27:1-3 Julius, a hardened Roman centurion, was assigned to guard Paul. Obviously he had to remain close to Paul at all times. Through this contact, Julius developed a respect for Paul. He gave Paul a certain amount of freedom (Acts 27:3) and later spared his life (Acts 27:43). How would your character look, up close and personal?
C. H. Spurgeon
Even a Roman centurion could see that Paul was no ordinary prisoner, andthat it was quite safe to allow him privileges which others might haveabused.
R. C. Sproul
Some time after Paul’s appearance before King Herod Agrippa II, the conditions come together for his transfer to Rome. Once Governor Festus has accumulated a number of prisoners, he commits them to a centurion named Julius. This man, we are told, is a member of the Augustan Regiment: he may be one of Nero’s bodyguards who has been sent to Judea and is about to return to Rome. Festus apparently cannot find a way to send the prisoners by land, so Julius and the prisoners are booked on a ship bound for Asia. Luke and Aristarchus, a Macedonian companion of Paul, sail along, presumably at their own expense. (Interestingly, Luke never tells us how Festus resolved his uncertainty as to what to tell Nero about Paul’s case.)
The voyage begins auspiciously, as the ship takes only a day to reach Sidon. When it stops to load and unload cargo, the centurion allows Paul to visit friends in the city, presumably believers; it appears Julius knows that Paul is a Roman citizen and no criminal. When the voyage resumes, however, sailing becomes more difficult because the prevailing winds in the eastern Mediterranean are becoming unfavorable at this time of year (late summer/early fall). The captain is forced to sail north of Cyprus to find shelter. He then crosses open sea to Myra on the Asia Minor coast, where the centurion and his prisoners transfer to a ship sailing from Alexandria, Egypt, with a cargo of grain for Rome. The sailing proves no easier for this large freighter; only after many laborious days does the ship reach Fair Havens on the island of Crete. It is now well past the fast of the Feast of Tabernacles, after which Jewish rabbis advise against travel until spring. But Fair Havens is an unsuitable place for the ship to spend the winter, for its bays are open to the sea, and the winter storms that will come.
Paul, an experienced traveler, understands the difficult position the ship is in: It is dangerous to stay or to sail. He expresses his belief that leaving Fair Havens will lead to the loss of the ship and the lives of all aboard. But the helmsman and the ship’s owner hope to reach Phoenix, just 40 miles to the west. The centurion can overrule them, but he heeds their expertise over Paul’s warning. Thus, when a moderate southern wind blows one day, thinking the conditions are ripe for a quick run to Phoenix, the crew lifts anchor and puts to sea.
PAUL’S JOURNEY TO ROME
One of Paul’s most important journeys was to Rome, but he didn’t get there the way he expected. It turned out to be more of a legal journey than a missionary journey because, through a series of legal trials and transactions, Paul was delivered to Rome where his presentation of the gospel would penetrate even into the walls of the emperor’s palace. Sometimes when our plans don’t work out as we want them to, they work out even better than we expected.
Acts 21:30 When Paul arrived in Jerusalem, a riot broke out. Seeing the riot, Roman soldiers put Paul into protective custody. Paul asked for a chance to defend himself to the people. His speech was interrupted by the crowd when he told about what God was doing in the lives of Gentiles.
Acts 22:24A Roman commander ordered a beating to get a confession from Paul. Paul claimed Roman citizenship and escaped the whip.
Acts 22:30Paul was brought before the Jewish Sanhedrin. Because of his Roman citizenship, he was rescued from the religious leaders who wanted to kill him.
Acts 23:10The Roman commander put Paul back under protective custody.
Acts 23:21Due to a plot to kill Paul, the commander transferred him to Caesarea, which was under Governor Felix’s control.
Acts 23:35Paul was in prison until the Jews arrived to accuse him. Paul defended himself before Felix.
Acts 24:25Paul was in prison for two years speaking occasionally to Felix and Drusilla.
Acts 24:27Felix was replaced by Festus.
Acts 25:1, 10New accusations were brought against Paul—Jews wanted him back in Jerusalem for a trial. Paul claimed his right to a hearing before Caesar.
Acts 25:12Festus promised to send him to Rome.
Acts 25:13Festus discussed Paul’s case with Herod Agrippa II.
Acts 26:1Agrippa and Festus heard Paul speak. Paul again told his story.
Acts 26:24Agrippa interrupted with a sarcastic rejection of the gospel.
Acts 26:30Group consensus was that Paul was guilty of nothing and could have been released if he had not appealed to Rome.
Acts 27:1-2Paul left for Rome, courtesy of the Roman empire.
Calvin Traveled To Geneva—By Chance?
John Calvin, on his way to Italy, found the regular road closed because of the war between France and Italy. He had to pass through Geneva. There he met Farrel, who with fiery eloquence, demanded that he stay at Geneva and lead the work of God there. And it is with Geneva that John Calvin's life is closely intertwined.
27:2We boarded a ship from Adramyttium about to sail for ports along the coast of the province of Asia, and we put out to sea. Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, was with us.
And embarking in an Adramyttian ship, which was about to sail to the regions along the coast of Asia, we put out to sea, accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica.
And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.
ADRAMYTTIUM (ahd·ruh·myt’tih·uhm) or ADRAMYTIAN (NAS) Place name of a seaport on the northwest coast of modern Turkey in Roman province of Asia. Paul used a ship whose home port was Adramyttium to sail from Caesarea to Italy to appeal his case to Caesar (Acts 27:2). The ancient site is near modern day Eremite.
27:3The 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.
And 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.
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.
Why Xerxes Wept
When Xerxes, the Persian king, was marching with his immense army to invade Greece, he came to the Hellespont. There, before crossing into Macedonia, within sight of the blue waters of the Strait, he ordered a grand review of his troops. A throne was erected for the monarch on the hillside, and seating himself upon the marble chair, he surveyed his million soldiers in the fields below. With a proud smile, he turned to his courtiers and confessed that he was the happiest man on earth. He truly had some cause for pride.
But before long, the king's countenance changed, and those who stood by him saw the tears beginning to trickle down his cheeks. One of them asked why his joy so soon turned into sorrow. "Alas!" said Xerxes, "I am thinking that of all this vast host, not one will be alive in a hundred years."
SIDON
Called also Zidon. Son of Canaan.
A city on the northern boundary of the Canaanites.
Designated by Jacob as the border of Zebulun.
Was on the northern boundary of Asher.
Belonged to the land of Israel according to promise.
Inhabitants of, dwelt in security and carelessness.
Israelites failed to make conquest of.
The inhabitants of, contributed cedar for the first and second temple.
Solomon marries women of.
Ahab marries a woman of.
People of, come to hear Jesus.
Inhabitants of, offend Herod.
Commerce of.
Seamen of.
Prophecies concerning.
Jesus heals the daughter of the Syrophenician woman.
Visited by Paul.
JULIUS (Jyoo’ lih us) Common Roman personal name. In Acts 27:1, a centurion of the Augustan cohort assigned the responsibility of escorting Paul to Rome. Though Paul was his prisoner, Julius treated the apostle with kindness. He allowed Paul to go ashore at Sidon to visit with friends. Later, he saved the apostle’s life by restraining the soldiers who wanted to kill Paul to keep him from escaping.
27:4From there we put out to sea again and passed to the lee of Cyprus because the winds were against us.
And from there we put out to sea and sailed under the shelter of Cyprus because the winds were contrary.
And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.
SEA
Creation of.
Limits of, established by God.
Calmed by Jesus.
Jesus walked on.
Dead, to be given up by, at the resurrection.
Cyprus Island—Amazing Facts
The island of Cyprus in the Mediterranean was long famous for an excellent quality of wine. This fame cost Cyprus its independence. The Turkish Sultan Selim II, known as “The Drunkard,” was so fond of Cypriote wine that he conquered the island with 60,000 men in 1570, to be able to monopolize its vinous output.
England obtained Cyprus by mistake in 1878. The British Ambassador who negotiated the cession of the island had been instructed to bid for the island of Crete. But he could not recall the name except that it began with a “C”. The Turkish Grand Vizier thereupon suggested the name Cyprus and the Ambassador accepted.
The natives of Cyprus greet you with “good-bye,” when you’d expect them to say “hello.” This is due to an error in a Greek-English dictionary which has long been used in Cypriote public schools.
C. H. Spurgeon
It was quite natural that the centurion should think that the master and theowner of the ship knew more about seafaring matters than Paul did, but thesequel proved that the apostle knew more than they did, for he had accessto information that was hidden from them.
Features Of Early Christians
In the third century a certain Cyprian, who was later Bishop of Carthage, wrote to his friend Donatus—
"It is a bad world, Donatus, an incredibly bad world. But I have discovered in the midst of it a quiet and holy people, who have learned a great secret. They have found a joy which is a thousands times better than any of the pleasures of our sinful life. They are despised and persecuted, but they care not. They are masters of their souls. They have overcome the world. These people, Donatus, are Christians... and I am one of them."
27:5When we had sailed across the open sea off the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we landed at Myra in Lycia.
And when we had sailed through the sea along the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we landed at Myra in Lycia.
And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia.
Every Inch Of Me
Take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. —Acts 27:25
Shortly before Peter Doot died at age 92, he said, "I am six-foot-four, and every inch belongs to the Lord." I had known him for 65 years, and I'm sure what he said was true.
As a younger man, Peter had left a well-paying job so he could serve as an evangelist for his church. He made a profound impact on hundreds of lives, even though he had little formal training. When I was 19, he challenged me to witness and to preach the gospel in street-corner meetings.
What made Peter so effective? His way of life. Everybody could clearly see that God was his Master.
The same could be said about the apostle Paul. In Acts 27 we read that when he was a prisoner being taken to Rome, the ship on which he was sailing was being battered by a furious storm. The sailors had given up all hope. But when Paul spoke, everybody listened and was encouraged. Even the Roman centurion followed his instructions. Why? Because it was obvious that Paul was a godly man who was telling the truth. They had good reason to believe him when he spoke of "the God to whom I belong and whom I serve," and when he said there would be no loss of life (vv.22-23).
Let's yield ourselves to God so that we too can say, "Every inch belongs to the Lord."
Give your all to Christ;
He gave His all for you.
CILICIA (Cih lihc’ ih u) A geographical area and/or Roman province in southeastern Asia Minor. The region was home to some of the people who opposed Stephen (Acts 6:9). It was located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in the southeast part of Asia Minor. One of its important cities was Tarsus, the birthplace of Paul the apostle (Acts 21:39; Acts 22:3). By the time of the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15), Christianity had already penetrated Cilicia. Paul passed through the region during the course of his missionary travels (Acts 15:41; Acts 27:5; Galatians 1:21).
The western portion of the geographical area was about 130 miles long east to west and 50 to 60 miles wide, consisted almost entirely of the westernmost extension of the Taurus Mountains, was called “mountainous” Cilicia, and was sparsely populated and important primarily for timber. The eastern portion was about 100 miles long east to west and 30 to 50 miles wide, consisted of a fertile coastal plain, and was called “level” Cilicia. Through the Cilician Gates (pass) in the Taurus Mountains to the north, through “level” Cilicia itself, and through the Syrian Gates in the Ammanus Mountains to the east ran the great international highway between central Asia Minor and Syria, Mesopotamia, and Egypt. Tarsus was the most important city in Cilicia.
The area was conquered by the Romans between 102 and 67 B.C. Until A.D. 72 the western portion had the status of a client kingdom or was part of another such kingdom. In 38 B.C. the eastern portion was joined to the Province of Syria, the name of which then became Syria and Cilicia. In A.D. 72 the parts were united in a separate province.
In the Old Testament the same region is called Kue (1 Kings 10:28; 2 Chron. 1:16, RSV, NAS, NIV).
PAMPHYLIA (Pahm phyl’ ih u) One of the provinces of Asia Minor. Located in what is now southern Turkey, Pamphylia was a small district on the coast. It measured about eighty miles long and twenty miles wide. One of the chief cities was Perga, where John Mark left Paul and Barnabas during the first missionary journey (Acts 13:13). Other important cities were the ports of Side and Attalia. The New Testament records no other significant events for the early church in Pamphylia, perhaps because of the concentration of non-Hellenized peoples in the region. This would make the spread of the gospel slower and harder to achieve.
MYRA (My’ ra) One of the six largest cities of Lysias in southeastern Asia Minor located on the River Andracus about two and one half miles from the sea. The site of the ancient ruins is called Dembre today. Myra was a stopping point on Paul’s voyage to Rome (Acts 27:5-6). Some manuscripts of the Western Text give Myra as port call after Patara in Acts 21:1.
LYCIA (Lyc’ ih u) Geographical name indicating the projection on the southern coast of Asia Minor between Caria and Pamphylia. See Acts 27:5.
Population Along Sea Coasts
United Nations (UPI)—Two-thirds of the globe's population, four billion people, live in coastal areas which amount to only 12 percent of the world's land mass.
The regions along 280,000 miles (450,616 kilometers) of coastline are overcrowded, containing 66 of the world's largest cities with populations of more than 1.1 million.
By the year 2,000, an estimated three-fourths of the population of the United States will live along its coasts.
27:6There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy and put us on board.