Paul's Trip to Rome

                                                                                 

 
 After spending roughly two years in Caesarea's prison Paul requests, in 60 A.D., that Roman Governor Festus send him to Rome to have the case against him heard by Caesar. Festus obliges Paul and soon a Roman soldier named Julius is charged with taking him and other prisoners to the empire's capital. Paul will prove to be the most unique man Julius has ever encountered. Julius befriends Paul and allows him certain liberties such as seeing friends in Sidon (check your map). Paul must have been unlike any prisoner that the centurion had custody of before. Along with Paul and other prisoners, was Aristarchus, a Macedonian and companion of Paul, and also Luke who authored the book of Acts and chronicled this trip.

They delivered up Paul and certain other prisoners to a centurion named Julius, who was of the band of Augustus . . . And Julius treated Paul kindly, allowing him to go to his friends to refresh himself. (Acts 27)

The first part of Paul's journey to Rome is somewhat uneventful. After boarding another ship in Myra bound for Italy, however, the trip begins to take a turn for the worse. The ship leaves Myra with 276 total people aboard her (Acts 27:37). Since strong winds forbid the vessel from sailing in a westerly direction directly toward Italy, it sails South toward the shelter of the island of Crete.

. . . so we sailed down the sheltered side of the island of Crete, passing by Cape Salmone. We kept close to the coast and with great difficulty came to a place called Safe Harbors (called 'Fair Havens' in other translations), not far from the town of Lasea. (verses 7-8)

The ship docks for a short period in Fair Havens until it is after the holy day known as the Day of Atonement ('the annual fast day'), which fell in 60 A.D. on September 24th. The optimal period for navigating the Mediterranean Sea was, in the first century, from April to October. Because of the winds, stormy weather and inability to see either the sun or moon for long periods, most ships that plied the sea docked for the winter. Paul, sensing in his spirit that those operating the ship wanted to continue the voyage during a notoriously dangerous time of the year, warns them not to leave port (Acts 27:9-10). His warnings go unheeded. Julius chooses instead to heed the advice of the ship’s owner rather than Paul. Julius will learn what a mistake this was. The ship leaves port, hoping to reach the far western side of Crete and the harbor of Phoenix. Paul's ship never makes it to Phoenix. Strong winds and a stormy sea out of the North and North-East blow the vessel away from Crete.

But not long after, there arose against it a tempestuous wind called Euroclydon  (by the sailors). Acts 27:14 (This was a hurricane and was not uncommon in these waters.)

Unable to control the ship, it is allowed to go wherever the wind takes her.

Since it was impossible to keep the ship headed into the wind, we gave up trying and let it be carried along by the wind. (verse 15)

After wandering the sea aimlessly for about two weeks all hope of rescue is lost. But an angel from God appears to Paul and gives him further revelation. 

And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away. ²¹ But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. ²² And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship. ²³ For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, ²⁴ Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. ²⁵ Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. ²⁶ Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island   Acts 27:20-26

After this the crew perceived that they were coming close to land. So they took soundings (or depth measurements) to see how far away from land they were. When they realized they were swiftly coming to land, they drop the anchors and waited until dawn.

And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms. Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day. Act 27:28 & 29

At this time, some of the crew tried to escape by trying to lower a smaller boat out of the bow of the ship. When Paul perceived this he tells Julius the centurion, saying unless everyone remains in the ship, none of them will survive. By this time Julius has learned to listen to Paul and orders the ropes to the smaller boat cut.

And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour (by pretense) as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship (the bow), Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved. Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off. Acts 27:30-32

Paul then encouraged them all to eat some food, for they had been fasting for two weeks. He also told them that they would be protected by God which cheered up the men.  This must have further impressed Julius the centurion who had never met a man quite like Paul before.

And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing. ³⁴ Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not a hair fall from the head of any of you. ³⁵ And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat. ³⁶ Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat. Acts 27:33-36

When daytime came and they did not know the land, they found a small creek with a beach in which they decided to run the ship aground. When they do this the ship starts to break apart. Some of the soldiers wanted to start killing the prisoners so that they wouldn’t escape but Julius stops their plans, wishing to save Paul. (this is another indication that Paul must have made quite an impression on this centurion).

 And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmovable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves. ⁴² And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape. ⁴³ But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land: ⁴⁴ And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land. Act 27:41-44

When chapter 28 opens the crew find themselves on the island of Melita (Malta). The people of the island treat them all very kindly. At this time, when Paul was putting some wood upon the fire, a venomous snake attaches itself to Paul’s arm. The people of the island quickly assume that Paul must be a murderer and he is now receiving his just rewards. But when they see that Paul is not dying they change their opinion and claim that he is a god.

 And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita (Malta). 2 And the barbarous people showed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold. 3 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. 4 And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live. 5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm. 6 Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god. Act 28:1-6 This called no small stir and the Chief man of the island, Publius, invited Paul and the others home with him.

 In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously. 8 And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux (fever and dysentery): to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him. 9 So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed. Act 28:7-9 

Think what kind of impact this had on, not only the island, but on Julius the centurion. No one that he had ever know had ever been able to heal the sick. He was already impressed with Paul but now he must have been in awe. The people of the island also supplied them with much provision for the rest of their journey.

 Who also honored us with many honors; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary. And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux. Act 28:10 & 11 This ship had the insignia of Castor and Pollux. These were twin gods, brothers, who were worshiped by the Romans and Greeks and were popular with navigators in the ancient world.

 Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome. 15 And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns (look on your map): whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage. Act 28:14 & 15 This was an eastern custom, for when someone important was coming, a small contingent from the city he was visiting would meet him along the way and escort him back to the city.

 And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him. Acts 28: 16 

When they had finally arrived at their destination, Julius the centurion did not treat Paul like a normal prisoner and immediately send him to a prison, but was allowed to dwell by himself with a hand-picked soldier. This shows the respect he had for Paul. This scripture does not record what was said between the two or whether Julius got born again, but one must ask how you could spend time with a man like Paul and see the things that he had seen and not be changed.