Bible Strands
Acts 27:3
The next day we landed at Sidon, and Julius treated Paul with consideration, allowing him to visit his friends and receive their care.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator records Paul’s transport to Rome as the vessel arrives at Sidon the day after departing Caesarea. Centurion Julius commands the escort and exercises authority over the prisoner party.
The words — φιλανθρώπως (philanthrōpōs) translates to considerately, modifying how Julius handles Paul. κατήχθημεν (katēchthēmen) literally means we landed, marking the ship’s physical arrival at the city.
The thread — The permitted visitation aligns with Acts 24:23, where a centurion allows friends to minister to Paul under guard, and Acts 28:16, where Paul remains with a soldier in Rome. The centurion’s independent judgment mirrors Acts 27:43, where he overrides others to protect Paul.
Why it lands — The text states a chronological stopover and a military decision without theological argument. It asks the reader to observe how Roman custody protocols occasionally permitted practical accommodations during transit.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Acts 24:23 He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard, but to allow him some freedom and permit his friends to minister to his needs.
- Acts 28:16 When we arrived in Rome, Paul was permitted to stay by himself, with a soldier to guard him.
- Acts 27:43 But the centurion, wanting to spare Paul’s life, thwarted their plan. He commanded those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land.
- Genesis 10:15 And Canaan was the father of Sidon his firstborn, and of the Hittites,
- Genesis 49:13 Zebulun shall dwell by the seashore and become a harbor for ships; his border shall extend to Sidon.
- Isaiah 23:2 Be silent, O dwellers of the coastland, you merchants of Sidon, whose traders have crossed the sea.
- Isaiah 23:12 He said, “You shall rejoice no more, O oppressed Virgin Daughter of Sidon. Get up and cross over to Cyprus—even there you will find no rest.”
- Zechariah 9:2 and also against Hamath, which borders it, as well as Tyre and Sidon, though they are very shrewd.
- Matthew 11:21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
- Acts 12:20 Now Herod was in a furious dispute with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they convened before him. Having secured the support of Blastus, the king’s chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their region depended on the king’s country for food.