Acts 27:3
What does Acts 27:3 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 27:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 27:3 means
They touch at Sidon the next day, and Julius shows unusual kindness to Paul by allowing him to visit friends for refreshment. Even as a prisoner, Paul experiences favor in small providences. The allowance indicates Julius does not view him as a dangerous criminal and recognizes his integrity. The care of local believers strengthens Paul physically and spiritually before the trial of the sea. Mercy from a Roman centurion and hospitality from Christians together underscore how God can provide through unexpected channels. Such kindnesses are not the end of the story, but they prepare Paul for the greater challenges soon to arise.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And the next day we touched at Sidon: and Julius treated Paul kindly, and gave him leave to go unto his friends and refresh himself.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And the next day we touched at Sidon: and Julius treated Paul kindly, and gave him leave to go unto his friends and refresh himself.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And on the day after, we came to Sidon; and Julius was kind to Paul, and let him go to see his friends and take a rest.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862on the next <FI>day<Fi> also we touched at Sidon, and Julius, courteously treating Paul, did permit <FI>him<Fi> , having gone on unto friends, to receive <FI>their<Fi> care.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And the day following, we came to Sidon. And Julius, treating Paul courteously, permitted him to go to his friends and to take care of himself.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And the next day we arrived at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and suffered him to go to his friends and refresh himself.
Context
After boarding the first ship, the crew makes a coastal stop at Sidon, offering a glimpse of Paul’s relationships and Julius’s disposition. This moment of refreshment sets a contrast with the hardships to come. The subsequent verses will describe leaving Sidon, sailing under the lee of Cyprus due to opposing winds, and moving along Asia Minor’s southern coast. The narrative’s rhythm alternates between brief calm and growing difficulty, preparing the reader for the mounting dangers that will culminate in the storm and shipwreck later in the chapter.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Genesis 49:13
Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea; And he shall be for a haven of ships; And his border shall be upon Sidon.
- Zechariah 9:2
and Hamath, also, which bordereth thereon; Tyre and Sidon, because they are very wise.
- Isaiah 23:2
Be still, ye inhabitants of the coast, thou whom the merchants of Sidon, that pass over the sea, have replenished.
- Acts 12:20
Now he was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: and they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king’s chamberlain their friend, they asked for peace, because their country was fed from the king’s country.
- Acts 27:1
And 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.
- Matthew 11:21
Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
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