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. 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.
At last the long-awaited voyage to Italy, to Rome, opened, with Paul setting out as a prisoner after his appeal to Caesar. With certain other prisoners he was handed over to one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band. The departure was held back until a suitable ship could be found and until the cases of the other prisoners who were to travel with him could be considered. That delay gave him opportunity to explain his faith before leading Jews and Gentiles and before Agrippa, the last of the Herods to bear the title of Jewish king.
He boarded a ship of Adramyttium to sail along the coasts of Asia. He sailed as a prisoner in chains, accompanied by Luke and by Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica. Aristarchus shared his imprisonment by choice, so that he could care for him in his afflictions. The voyage was his last, and it was long and trying, hard and dangerous and perilous.
Sea travel at that time was especially difficult because sailors guided themselves largely by the sun and stars. Storms or obscured skies therefore made shipowners afraid to venture into open water, and for part of the year sailing was almost impossible. Yet the journey served God's purpose, so that the ship's crew and other Gentiles on board could witness God's power through him and hear about Jesus. Some were converted through his teaching and miracles.