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. (2) And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us. (3) 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. (4) And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. (5) And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia. (6) And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein. (7) And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone; (8) And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea.
It is very blessed to watch the Lord's dealings with his people. Here seems to have been an overruling providence of the Lord, in relation to this voyage, in that Paul should be accompanied with several dear friends and companions. Luke, the writer of the Acts, it should appear, from certain passages in Paul's writings, was with him in this voyage, 2 Timothy 4:11; Philemon 1:24. And, as he saith afterwards, when writing his last Epistle to Timothy, that he left Trophimus sick at Miletus, he must have been also with Paul at this time. And Aristarchus is mentioned by name, as here. This man, though but little known by us, we have reason to believe, was very dear to Paul; and what is infinitely more important, well-known in the book of life. He is spoken of, Acts 20:4; Acts 20:4; Philemon 1:25. And we at length here of him as Paul's fellow-prisoner, Colossians 4:10. Oh! what multitudes have there been of the Lord's faithful ones hidden from public view, like some sweet flower of the desert which hath opened its beauties to the sun, and shed its perfumes to the air unnoticed, and unknown of men, but which will be found transplanted into the garden of the Lord, when the great day shall appear!
Do, Reader, remark the courteous behavior of Julius the Centurion towards Paul. The Lord gave him favor, as he did in the instance of Joseph with Potiphar, Genesis 39:1-6. And before that Julius and Paul parted, the Centurion found, as Potiphar had in the case of Joseph, what a blessed thing it is, to have the Lord's people with us in everything, Acts 27:24
It must have been a refreshing season indeed to the disciples at Sidon, (for as Tyre and Sidon were nigh each other, no doubt, upon such an occasion they met, see Acts 21:3-4.) Here Christ himself exercised his ministry in the days of his flesh, Matthew 15:21. And we read that the Church in this place was made glad, when Paul and Barnabas passed through this neighborhood some time before. See Acts 15:3.