Acts 27 1

Acts 27:1 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.

Acts 27:1 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.

Acts 27:1 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.

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.

Acts 27:1 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.

Acts 27 verses

Acts 27 1 Meaning

This verse marks the initiation of Paul's long-anticipated journey to Rome, the capital of the Roman Empire. While decreed by human authority following Paul's appeal to Caesar, this voyage was ultimately part of God's sovereign plan for Paul to preach the gospel in Rome. Paul, accompanied by Luke, sets sail as a prisoner under the custody of a Roman centurion, Julius, and his imperial unit, indicating a significant and formally handled transfer.

Acts 27 1 Context

Acts 27:1 immediately follows the resolution of Paul's trial before Festus and Agrippa II in Caesarea. For over two years, Paul had been a prisoner, first under Governor Felix and then Festus, facing accusations from Jewish leaders. Despite being found innocent by Festus and Agrippa, Paul's earlier appeal to Caesar, made to avoid being sent back to Jerusalem (Acts 25:11), sealed his fate for a journey to Rome. This verse, therefore, marks a pivotal transition: Paul is no longer on trial locally but is now embarking on the emperor-ordered transfer to the very heart of the Roman Empire for a final hearing, as prophesied by the Lord Himself in Acts 23:11. This leg of the journey initiates a narrative focusing on the challenging sea voyage, showcasing divine protection and Paul's unwavering witness amidst peril.

Acts 27 1 Word analysis

• And when it was determined: (Ὡς δὲ ἐκρίθη, Hos de ekrithē)
  • Ekrithē is the aorist passive of krinō, meaning "to judge, decide, or determine." In this context, it refers to an official, judicial, or administrative decision made by the Roman authorities (Festus). It carries the weight of a final decree regarding Paul's appeal and transfer, though the divine purpose behind it transcends mere human judgment.
• that we should sail: (τοῦ ἀποπλεῖν ἡμᾶς, tou apoplein hēmas)
  • Apoplein means "to sail away" or "to set sail." The use of "we" (ἡμᾶς) is significant, indicating that Luke, the author of Acts, was present with Paul on this voyage, thereby underscoring the eyewitness reliability of the detailed narrative that follows in the entire chapter.
• into Italy: (εἰς τὴν Ἰταλίαν, eis tēn Italian)
  • Italy was the core of the Roman Empire and the ultimate destination where Caesar, the Emperor, resided. This destination held both legal significance (for Paul's appeal) and immense strategic importance for the spread of the gospel.
• they delivered: (παρεδίδουν, paredidoun)
  • The imperfect tense suggests an ongoing process or action, "they were handing over" or "they began to deliver." The verb paradidōmi means "to hand over," often in the sense of entrusting or consigning, particularly in a legal or official capacity. It echoes the formal transfer of custody for prisoners.
• Paul and certain other prisoners: (τὸν Παῦλον καί τινας ἑτέρους δεσμώτας, ton Paulon kai tinas heterous desmōtas)
  • Paul is singled out by name, highlighting his central role, but he is part of a larger group of desmōtai (prisoners, from desmos meaning "bond" or "chain"). This signifies a standard Roman transport of criminals, emphasizing Paul's official status as an appealing prisoner awaiting imperial judgment.
• unto one named Julius: (ἑκατοντάρχῃ ὀνόματι Ἰουλίῳ, hekatontarchē onomati Iouliō)
  • The mention of the centurion by name (Julius) adds to the historical authenticity of Luke's account. Centurions were experienced and highly trusted officers, critical figures in the Roman military and administrative system, often responsible for prisoner transport.
• a centurion of Augustus' band: (σπείρης Σεβαστῆς, speirēs Sebastēs)
  • Speira (cohort) refers to a unit of typically 600-800 men, larger than a century. Sebastēs (Augustus', Imperial) indicates an imperial cohort, possibly a "Cohors Augusta" or "Cohors Sebasta." This likely refers to a specialized, prestigious, or elite unit directly connected to the Emperor or a provincial governor, demonstrating the importance assigned to this particular prisoner transport, given Paul's appeal to Caesar himself. This officer held significant authority.

Acts 27 1 Bonus section

• The "we" passages in Acts (such as this one, and later in the chapter) are crucial indicators of Luke's personal presence and firsthand involvement in Paul's journeys, giving an eyewitness dimension to the narrative of Acts. This strongly enhances the historical credibility of his account.
• The choice of a centurion from "Augustus' band" suggests a high level of official Roman authority and perhaps resources assigned to this prisoner transfer, given Paul's appeal to the Emperor. Such cohorts often had specialized duties or served directly under a provincial governor or legate.
• Julius, as introduced here, becomes a character of notable significance throughout the subsequent voyage (e.g., Acts 27:3, 43), displaying courtesy and eventually trust toward Paul, possibly reflecting Paul's influential spiritual presence even in chains.
• The system of delivering prisoners to a centurion for transport was standard Roman procedure for moving high-profile cases or military personnel, highlighting the institutional context in which the gospel was expanding.

Acts 27 1 Commentary

Acts 27:1 succinctly launches one of the most vivid and dramatic travel narratives in the Bible, a testament to God's providence amidst human circumstances. This verse sets the stage by detailing the formal decision for Paul's transport to Rome. The specifics—Paul's status as a prisoner, the accompanying prisoners, the identity of Julius as a centurion from an imperial "Augustus' band," and Luke's presence as indicated by "we"—all converge to underscore the meticulous historical detail and authenticity of Luke's writing. Far from being a defeat, Paul's journey as a prisoner represents a strategic fulfillment of God's promise to bear witness in Rome, turning a legal confinement into an evangelistic opportunity. It showcases how even the highly structured and often impersonal Roman legal and military apparatus inadvertently served the spread of the gospel to the heart of the empire. This journey signifies that God's plans are sovereignly achieved, even through trials and unexpected detours.