JOURNEY TO ROME

MJ4-001

⚓ Caesarea — Paul Sails for Rome

Paul is now a prisoner. After his trials in Caesarea, he has appealed to Caesar and must be sent to Rome.

Acts 27 opens a new chapter in Paul's story. Under the custody of a Roman centurion named Julius, Paul boards a ship and begins the voyage that will eventually carry him to the heart of the empire.

“And when it was decided that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to one named Julius...” — Acts 27:1, NKJV

FEATURED MUSEUM ARTWORK

Caesarea — The Voyage to Rome Begins

Museum reconstruction of Paul under Roman guard boarding a ship at Caesarea to begin the voyage toward Rome — **Artist's Reconstruction — Acts 27:1–3** This museum artwork presents the opening of Paul's voyage to Rome. The harbor, vessel, Roman soldiers, prisoners, clothing, and individual expressions are interpretive, while Acts records Paul being delivered with other prisoners to Julius the centurion, boarding a ship of Adramyttium, sailing from Caesarea, and reaching Sidon the following day.

Museum Collection: Journey to Rome Exhibit: MJ4-001 Praise Aflame™ Biblical Museum Studio

The Praise Aflame™ Biblical Museum & Resource Centre

Journey to Rome Permanent Collection

Paul Sails for Rome

Acts 27:1–3

ExhibitMJ4-001

DepartureCaesarea

Roman OfficerJulius, a centurion

DestinationRome, Italy

Biblical Significance: Paul begins the journey to Rome not as a free missionary, but as a prisoner under Roman authority. Yet his chains do not end his calling. The voyage will become another stage on which God's purpose, protection, and Gospel witness are displayed.

WHY ROME?

Paul Had Appealed to Caesar

Paul's voyage does not begin as an ordinary missionary expedition. He is being transferred as a prisoner after exercising his right as a Roman citizen to appeal his case to Caesar.

What appears politically to be a prisoner transfer will become the means by which Paul reaches Rome.

MUSEUM PERSPECTIVE

Human authorities may describe Paul as a prisoner, but Acts continues to show a servant of Christ moving toward the destination God had already placed before him.

THE CENTURION

Julius of the Augustan Regiment

Paul and several other prisoners are placed in the custody of Julius, a centurion of the Augustan Regiment.

Julius will remain an important figure throughout the dangerous voyage ahead.

“...they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to one named Julius, a centurion of the Augustan Regiment.”
Acts 27:1, NKJV

THE FIRST SHIP

A Vessel of Adramyttium

The travelers board a ship of Adramyttium that is preparing to sail along the coast of Asia.

This is only the first vessel of the journey. Farther along the route, Julius will transfer the prisoners to a much larger Alexandrian ship bound westward.

ON BOARD

Luke's use of “we” shows that he is traveling with Paul. Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, is also specifically named.

THE FIRST DAY AT SEA

Caesarea to Sidon

The ship departs, and the following day the company reaches Sidon.

There, Julius treats Paul kindly and permits him to visit his friends and receive care.

“And the next day we landed at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him liberty to go to his friends and receive care.”
Acts 27:3, NKJV

THE OPENING OF THE VOYAGE

Five Details to Notice

01

Paul Is a Prisoner

He travels under Roman custody after appealing to Caesar.

02

Julius Commands

A Roman centurion is responsible for Paul and the other prisoners.

03

Luke Is Present

The narrative again uses “we,” placing Luke aboard the voyage.

04

Aristarchus Travels

The Macedonian believer from Thessalonica is named with the group.

05

Sidon

Julius allows Paul to visit friends and receive care.

06

Rome Ahead

The destination is Italy, but the route will become dangerous.

07

More Than One Ship

The Adramyttium vessel begins the voyage but will not carry Paul all the way.

08

God's Purpose Continues

Imprisonment has not stopped Paul's movement toward Rome.

THE HEART OF THE EXHIBIT

Chains Did Not Cancel the Calling

Paul begins this voyage with less personal freedom than on any of his missionary journeys.

Yet the story is still moving forward. His circumstances have changed, but the Gospel mission has not ended.

MUSEUM REFLECTION

A closed door in one direction does not mean God's purpose has stopped. Sometimes the road forward looks completely different from the road we expected.

BEFORE YOU CONTINUE...

The Voyage Becomes More Difficult

After leaving Sidon, contrary winds begin to shape the route.

The ship sails under the shelter of Cyprus and across the sea toward the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia.

At Myra in Lycia, Julius will find an Alexandrian ship sailing to Italy. Paul and the prisoners will transfer aboard.

CONTINUE THE JOURNEY TO ROME

Next: Myra — The Alexandrian Ship

You have completed Exhibit MJ4-001 — Caesarea: Paul Sails for Rome.

CARRY THE WORD WITH YOU

“And when it was decided that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to one named Julius...”
Acts 27:1, NKJV