Acts 27:1
What does Acts 27:1 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 27:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 27:1 means
This verse opens the final leg of Paul’s long path to Rome. A formal decision is reached to send him by sea to Italy. Paul is not alone; he is one among “certain other prisoners,” showing he is treated as a state detainee, not a private offender. They are placed under a centurion named Julius from the Augustan band, an imperial unit, indicating the journey has official importance. Luke’s “we” reveals the author is present, traveling with Paul. Though human authorities govern the transport, the larger story shows God governing events, moving His servant toward the testimony he must give in Rome despite chains and the impersonal machinery of empire.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And when the decision had been made that we were to go by sea to Italy, they gave Paul and certain other prisoners into the care of a captain named Julius, of the Augustan band.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And when our sailing to Italy was determined, they were delivering up both Paul and certain others, prisoners, to a centurion, by name Julius, of the band of Sebastus,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And when it was determined that he should sail into Italy and that Paul, with the other prisoners, should be delivered to a centurion, named Julius, of the band Augusta,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But when it had been determined that we should sail to Italy, they delivered up Paul and certain other prisoners to a centurion, by name Julius, of Augustus' company.
Context
Acts now transitions from courtroom defenses to a maritime journey. With the decision to sail to Italy, Paul’s appeal to Caesar begins to be fulfilled in action. Under Julius’s command, the group prepares to embark. The next verses will describe the initial ship they board, who travels with Paul, and the route taken along the coast. This framing matters because it introduces the key human actors and the imperial context within which God will preserve Paul, setting up the tension between Roman authority, maritime hazards, and divine purpose.
v.1This passage
v.2And embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail unto the places on the coast of Asia, we put to sea, Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 27:54
Now the centurion, and they that were with him watching Jesus, when they saw the earthquake, and the things that were done, feared exceedingly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.
- Psalms 33:11
The counsel of Jehovah standeth fast for ever, The thoughts of his heart to all generations.
- Acts 25:25
But I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death: and as he himself appealed to the emperor I determined to send him.
- Acts 25:12
Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Thou hast appealed unto Cæsar: unto Cæsar shalt thou go.
- Acts 10:22
And they said, Cornelius a centurion, a righteous man and one that feareth God, and well reported of by all the nation of the Jews, was warned of God by a holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words from thee.
- Hebrews 13:24
Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.
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