Paul's Journey to Rome in Acts 27
Acts 27 details the perilous sea voyage of the Apostle Paul from Caesarea to Rome, where he was being sent as a prisoner to stand before Caesar [1, 6, 8]. This chapter, along with Acts 28, provides a uniquely detailed account of ancient seafaring in Greek and Roman literature [5, 13]. The narrative begins with the determination that Paul and other prisoners would sail for Italy, under the custody of a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the Augustan band [1].
The journey itself was long and fraught with danger, as predicted by Paul [6, 7]. Luke, the author of Acts, was present for this voyage, as indicated by the use of the pronoun "we" throughout the account, marking it as one of the "we" sections in Acts [11, 12, 13]. Luke's presence as an eyewitness participant lends significant detail and vividness to the nautical descriptions [10, 13].
The voyage commenced with Paul and other prisoners being delivered to Julius, a centurion of the Augustan band [1]. They first embarked on an Adramyttian vessel, which transported them from Caesarea to Myra [5]. This initial leg of the journey was relatively calm [6]. From Myra, they transferred to a large Alexandrian corn-ship that was bound for Italy [3, 5]. This change of ships occurred because the first vessel was likely a smaller coasting ship, unsuitable for the longer journey to Italy [5].
As they continued their journey, Paul warned the crew and centurion about impending danger, but his advice was not heeded [6, 7]. The ship encountered a severe tempest, leading to extreme distress among those on board [6]. Despite the dire circumstances, Paul received a divine assurance that he must stand before Caesar and that God would grant him the lives of all those sailing with him [2]. This divine intervention provided a measure of hope amidst the storm [6].
The ship eventually wrecked on the coast of Malta, but all 276 people on board were saved, fulfilling Paul's prophecy [5]. After a three-month stay on Malta, during which the worst of winter passed, Paul and his companions boarded another Alexandrian ship to complete their journey to Rome [10]. Upon their arrival in Rome, Paul was permitted to live by himself with a soldier guarding him [4].
The account in Acts 27 serves not only as a historical record of Paul's journey but also highlights themes of divine providence and Paul's steadfastness in the face of adversity. John Gill notes that Paul's voyage to Rome was determined by Festus and Agrippa in response to Paul's appeal to Caesar, but ultimately, it was in accordance with God's will [8]. Matthew Henry emphasizes that despite the long and difficult voyage, Paul had to go to Caesar because he had appealed to him [9]. The detailed description of the journey, including the ships used and the geographical points, underscores the historical accuracy and eyewitness nature of Luke's narrative [5, 10, 13].
Sources
- Acts “When it was determined that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners to a centurion named Julius, of the Augustan band. -- Acts 27:1”
- Acts “saying, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul. You must stand before Caesar. Behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ -- Acts 27:24”
- Acts “There the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing for Italy, and he put us on board. -- Acts 27:6”
- Acts “Cum autem venissemus Romam, permissum est Paulo manere sibimet cum custodiente se milite. -- Acts 28:16”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Ship — No one writer in the whole range of Greek and Roman literature has supplied us with so much information concerning the merchant-ships of the ancients as St. Luke in the narrative of St. Paul's voyage to Rome. Acts 27,28. It is important to remember that he accomplished it in three ships: first, the Adramyttian vessel which took him from Caesarea to Myra, and which was probably a coasting-vessel of no great size, (Acts 27:1-6) secondly, the large Alexandrian corn-ship, in which he was wrecked on the coast of Malta (Acts 27:6-28) :1; and thirdly, another large Al”
- Acts (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Acts 27 (introduction): This whole chapter is taken up with an account of Paul's voyage towards Rome, when he was sent thither a prisoner by Festus the governor, upon his appeal to Caesar. I. The beginning of the voyage was well enough, it was calm and prosperous (Act 27:1-8). II. Paul gave them notice of a storm coming, but could not prevail with them to lie by (Act 27:9-11). III. As they pursued their voyage, they met with a great deal of tempestuous weather, which reduced them to such extremity that they counted upon nothing but being cast away (Act 27:12-20). IV. Paul assu”
- Acts (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Acts 27 (introduction): It being determined that Paul should be sent to Rome, he is delivered to Julius, a centurion, Act 27:1. They embark in a ship of Adramyttium, and come the next day to Sidon, Act 27:2, Act 27:3. They sail thence, and pass Cyprus, Cilicia, and Pamphylia, and come to Myra, Act 27:4, Act 27:5. They are transferred there to a ship of Alexandria going to Italy; sail past Cnidus, Crete, Salmone, and come to the Fair Havens, Act 27:6-8. Paul predicts a disastrous voyage, Act 27:9-11. They sail from the Fair Havens, in order to reach Crete, and winter there; but, ”
- Acts (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Acts 27 (introduction): And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy,.... The chief city of which was Rome, the metropolis of the empire, where Caesar had his palace, to whom the apostle had appealed; and his voyage thither was determined by Festus, with the advice of Agrippa and his council, pursuant to the apostle's appeal, and which was founded on the will of God; all which concurred in this affair: it was the decree and will of God that the apostle should go to Rome, which was made known to him; and it was his resolution upon that, to go thither, wherefore he appe”
- Acts (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Acts 27:1: It does not appear how long it was after Paul's conference with Agrippa that he was sent away for Rome, pursuant to his appeal to Caesar; but it is likely they took the first convenience they could hear of to do it; in the mean time Paul is in the midst of his friends at Caesarea - they comforts to him, and he a blessing to them. But here we are told, I. How Paul was shipped off for Italy: a long voyage, but there is no remedy. He has appealed to Caesar, and to Caesar he must go: It was determined that we should sail into Italy, for to Rome they must go by sea; it w”
- Acts (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Acts 28:11: 28:11-16 Luke, himself present on this journey (see study note on 27:1–28:16), recorded Paul’s itinerary from Malta to Rome with great geographical detail. 28:11 Another Egyptian ship from Alexandria took Paul and his companions on board after an interval of three months and the worst of the winter had passed.”
- Acts (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Acts 27 (introduction): THE VOYAGE TO ITALY--THE SHIPWRECK AND SAFE LANDING AT MALTA. (Acts 27:1-44) we should sail, &c.--The "we" here reintroduces the historian as one of the company. Not that he had left the apostle from the time when he last included himself (Act 21:18), but the apostle was parted from him by his arrest and imprisonment, until now, when they met in the ship. delivered Paul and certain other prisoners--State prisoners going to be tried at Rome; of which several instances are on record. Julius--who treats the apostle throughout with such mar”
- Acts (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Acts 16:10: 16:10 we: The most natural interpretation of the shift from “they” to “we” is that Luke accompanied Paul from Troas to Philippi (16:10-17). Later Luke joined Paul again at Philippi and sailed with him to Troas, then to Miletus (20:5-15), then from Miletus to Jerusalem (21:1-18). After Paul’s two-year imprisonment in Caesarea, Luke traveled with him to Rome (27:1–28:16).”
- Acts (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Acts 27:1: 27:1–28:16 The vivid nautical language used throughout the account of Paul’s journey to Rome yields one of the best available accounts of an ancient sea voyage. • This is the last “we” section in Acts (see also 16:10-17; 20:5-15; 21:1-18). During the two years of Paul’s imprisonment, Luke had probably done much of the research for his Gospel throughout Judea and Galilee. Here, as a member of Paul’s sailing party, he was an eyewitness participant in the danger at sea. 27:1 Julius is otherwise unknown. • The Imperial Regiment (see study note on 10:1-8) served in Syria”