Acts 27:1 ¶ 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. 2 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. 3 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. 4 And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. 5 And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia. 6 And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein. 7 And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone; 8 And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea. 9 Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them, 10 And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives. 11 Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.
We saw mention of the Italian Band in Acts 10. I read that
the Augustus Band referred to a bodyguard formed by the Emperor Nero to
accompany him to games and other events. If this is so they were returning to
Rome and Paul would accompany them under guard, which seems only fitting, as he
has appealed directly to the emperor.
Adramyttium was a port city on the west coast of what
would be Turkey today. There was a famous school of oratory there. They entered
a ship registered in that city and sailed to Sidon in modern-day Lebanon.
Paul’s status as a Roman citizen is evident here as he is
permitted to visit friends upon his honor.
They intended to sail by Cyprus but weather difficulties brought
them back to the mainland and Myra. They then changed ships to one registered
in Alexandria. These geographical locations are interesting, but they also show
the perilousness of Paul’s journey. Paul tries to warn those people in charge
to no avail.
It is interesting to me that the two main schools of Bible
interpretation are Antioch and Alexandria, the literal and the figurative. Paul
is being taken to Rome, which will be home to the Roman Catholic Church which
embraces the Alexandrian manuscripts of the Bible, and to shipwreck. So,
leaving Antioch is not a favorable thing to do. Plus, I am compelled to
acknowledge that most modern Bible versions with their dynamic equivalence
method of translating and their reliance on a handful of Alexandrian manuscripts
are a far cry from the literal formal equivalence of the King James Bible and
its reliance on the Byzantine and Antiochan manuscripts. Which ship are you on?
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