Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 27:3
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.
3. Sidon ] The well-known seaport on the coast of Phnicia.
courteously entreated Paul ] “To entreat” is in modern English only used as “to beseech” “to supplicate.” In the older language it had the same sense as “to treat,” “use” has now. Cp. Shaks. Hen. VI. (pt. 2) ii. 4. 81 “ Entreat her not the worse, in that I pray you use her well.” The R. V. has “treated Paul kindly.”
to refresh himself ] The Greek is literally “to receive attention.” The Apostle no doubt knew some of the residents in Sidon, and at his request the centurion allowed him, while the vessel stayed there, to enjoy their company and kind offices.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
We touched at Sidon – See the notes on Mat 11:21. Sidon was about 67 miles north of Caesarea, and the passage could be easily accomplished, under favorable circumstances, in 24 hours. It is probable that the vessel, being a coaster, put in there for purposes of trade. Sidon is the last city on the Phoenician coast in which the presence of the apostle can be traced.
And Julius courteously entreated Paul – Treated him kindly or humanely.
And gave him liberty … – The same thing had been done by Felix, Act 24:23.
Unto his friends – In Sidon. Paul had frequently traveled in that direction in going to and returning from Jerusalem, and it is not improbable, therefore, that he had friends in all the principal cities.
To refresh himself – To enjoy the benefit of their care; to make his present situation and his voyage as comfortable as possible. It is probable that they would furnish him with many supplies which were needful for his long and perilous voyage.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 3. Touched at Sidon] For some account of this place, See Clarke on Mt 11:21; and See Clarke on Ac 12:20.
Julius courteously entreated Paul] At the conclusion of the preceding chapter, it has been intimated that the kind treatment which Paul received, both from Julius and at Rome, was owing to the impression made on the minds of Agrippa and Festus, relative to his innocence. It appears that Julius permitted him to go ashore, and visit the Christians which were then at Sidon, without using any extraordinary precautions to prevent his escape. He was probably accompanied with the soldier to whose arm he was chained; and it is reasonable to conclude that this soldier would fare well on St. Paul’s account.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Sidon; a city in Phenicia, bordering upon Palestine, mentioned Mat 11:21, and Act 12:20.
Julius courteously entreated Paul; as Felix had commanded that centurion to whom he committed him, Act 24:23.
And gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself; though Paul went with a soldier to guard him, as their manner was, yet it was a great favour that he might converse with his friends, and receive from them such refreshments towards his journey as he stood in need of. Now Paul indeed experienced the truth of Gods word, Act 18:10, that he was with him: and it is wonderful to consider the presence of God with Paul all along: which things are our examples, that we also may put our trust in God, who hath said he will not leave us nor forsake us, Heb 13:5,6.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
3. next day we touched at SidonToreach this ancient and celebrated Mediterranean port, about seventymiles north from Csarea, in one day, they must have had a fairwind.
Julius courteously(Seeon Ac 27:1).
gave him liberty to go to hisfriendsno doubt disciples, gained, it would seem, by degrees,all along the Phoelignician coast since the first preaching there(see on Ac 11:19 and Ac21:4).
to refresh himselfwhichafter his long confinement would not be unnecessary. Such smallpersonal details are in this case extremely interesting.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And the next day we touched at Sidon,…. This was a famous city in Phoenicia, upon the northern border of the land of Israel; it was a maritime place, and noted for trade and navigation; Mela q calls it rich Sidon, and the chief of the maritime cities; Jerom r calls it the ancient city Sidon; and Curtius says s it was renowned for the antiquity and fame of its founders; it is thought to be built by Sidon, the firstborn of Canaan, Ge 10:15 from whom it took its name; so Josephus t affirms, that Sidonius, as he calls him, built a city in Phoenicia after his own name, and it is called by the Greeks Sidon; some say it was built by Sidus the son of Aegyptus, and named after him: according to R. Benjamin u it was a day’s journey from hence to Tyre; and with others w, it was not more than two hundred furlongs, about twelve or thirteen miles, which was another city of Phoenicia, as this was: Jerom’s x account of Sidon is this,
“Sidon, a famous city of Phoenicia, formerly the border of the Canaanites, to the north, situated at the foot of Mount Libanus, and the artificer of glass:”
and so Pliny y calls it, it being famous for the making of glass; and Herodotus z speaks of it as a city of Phoenicia: Justin the historian says a it was built by the Tyrians, who called it by this name from the plenty of fish in it; for the Phoenicians call a fish “Sidon”: and indeed Sidon or Tzidon seems to be derived from
, “Tzud”, which signifies “to fish”; and the place is to this day called Said or Salt; and so R. Benjamin calls it Tzaida b: to this city they came from Caesarea, the day following that they set out on, and here they stopped awhile:
and Julius courteously treated Paul; the centurion into whose hands the apostle was delivered, used him with great humanity and civility; he found grace in his sight, as Joseph did in the sight of Potiphar, and as he himself had done before with Lysias, Felix, Festus and Agrippa:
and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself; for as there were disciples at Tyre, Ac 21:3 so it seems there were at Sidon, both which cities were in Phoenicia, and are often mentioned together; and the apostle was allowed to go ashore, and visit his friends, and be refreshed by them, both in body and spirit, and be provided for by them with things convenient for his voyage. It is highly probable that there was here a Gospel church, but by whom planted cannot be said; our Lord himself was at the borders of this place, Mt 15:21 and the ministers of the word scattered at the death of Stephen, went as far as Phoenicia preaching the Gospel, Ac 11:19 and that there were brethren there, appears from note on: [See comments on Ac 15:3], in which country Sidon was: in the “third” century there was a church in this place, and Zenobius was presbyter of it, who suffered martyrdom under Dioclesian c; in the “fourth” century there was a bishop of the church here, at the synod held at Nice; in the “fifth” century the bishop of the Sidonians, in the council of Chalcedon, declared his opinion with others against Dioscorus, whose name was Damianus; in the “sixth” century, mention is made of a bishop of Sidon, in the acts of the council held at Rome and Constantinople, and in the same century a synod met at Sidon, in the 20th year of Anastasius the emperor d: the account of the bishops of Sidon, as given by Reland e, is as follows; Theodorus bishop of Sidon subscribed in the first Nicene council, in the year 325; Paulus subscribed in the first council at Constantinople, in the year 381; Damianus was in the council held at Chalcedon, in the year 451; Megas is mentioned in the acts and epistles subjoined to the Chalcedon council; Andreas, bishop of this place, is taken notice of in a letter of John of Jerusalem.
q De orbis Situ, l. 1. c. 12. r Epitaph. Paulae, Tom. I. fol. 58. s Hist. l. 4. c. 1. t Antiqu. l. 1. c. 6. sect. 2. u Itinerar. p. 85. w Reland. Palestina Illustrata, l. 2. p. 433, 510. x De locis Hebraicis, fol. 96. I. y Nat. Hist. l. 5. c. 19. & l. 36. c. 26. z Euterpe, c. 116. & Thalia, c. 136. a Hist. ex Trogo, l. 18. c. 3. b Itinerar. p. 34. c Euseb. Eccl. Hist. l. 8. c. 13. d Magdeburg. Hist. Eccl. cent. 4. c. 2. p. 2. cent. 5. c. 2. p. 2. c. 10. p. 551. cent. 6. c. 2. p. 3. c. 3. p. 17. c. 9. p. 243. e Palestina Illustrata, l. 3. p. 1014.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
The next day ( ). Locative case with understood.
We touched (). First aorist passive of , the usual term for “coming down” from the seas as above (and verse 4) is for “going up” to sea. So it looks to sailors. Sidon was 67 miles from Caesarea, the rival of Tyre, with a splendid harbour. The ship stopped here for trade.
Treated Paul kindly ( ). “Using (, first aorist middle participle of , to use) Paul (instrumental case used with this verb) kindly” (, “philanthropically,” adverb from –, love of mankind). He was kindly to Paul throughout the voyage (verse Acts 27:43; Acts 28:16), taking a personal interest in his welfare.
Refresh himself ( ). Second aorist active infinitive of (to obtain) with the genitive , old word from , careful, only here in the N.T. Whether it was mere hospitality we do not know. It may have been medical attention required because of Paul’s long confinement. This is Paul’s first visit to Sidon, but Christians were already in Phoenicia (11:19) and so Paul had “friends” here.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Touched [] . From kata, down, and agw, to lead or bring. To bring the ship down from deep water to the land. Opposed to ajnhxqhmen, put to sea (ver. 2); which is to bring the vessel up [] from the land to deep water. See on Luk 8:22. Touched is an inferential rendering. Landed would be quite as good. From Caesarea to Sidon, the distance was about seventy miles.
Courteously [] . Only here in New Testament. Lit., in a man – loving way; humanely; kindly. Rev., kindly, better than courteously. Courteous, from court, expresses rather polish of manners than real kindness.
To refresh himself [ ] . Lit., to receive care or attention.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “And the next day we touched at Sidon.” (te hetera katechthemen eis Sidona) “Then on the following day we landed or docked at Sidon.” Also called Zidon, 1Ch 1:13. It is thought there was a delay for merchandise to be both taken on and off the ship at Sidon port, giving time for Paul to go off-board for a short period, about 70 miles north of Caesarea, Php_4:19. The term “Sidon” means “fishing;” Sidon was a son of Canaan, Gen 10:15, and persons living in Sidon came to be called Sidonians, Deu 3:9; Jos 19:28.
2) “And Julius courteously entreated Paul,” (philanthropos te ho loulios to Paulo chresamenos) “And Julius treated Paul kindly,” as formerly instructed by Felix, Act 24:23; and as later permitted courtesy in Rome, Act 28:16.
3) “And gave him liberty to go unto his friends,” (epetrepsen pros tous philpus poreuthenti) “He permitted him liberty to go as he wished, to his friends,” there in Sidon. True men of God usually have friends who love them wherever they go, to love, pray for, and help care for them, Pro 17:17; Pro 18:24. The friends here referred to were Christians in Sidon. Julius who had been guarding and observing Paul had likely also become his friend thru his testimony and conduct while on board the ship, Mat 5:15-16,
4) “To refresh himself.” (epimeleias tuchein) “To obtain attention, refreshment,” that he might need, perhaps for purposes of cleanliness, bathing, an haircut, clothing and medical needs for himself, Joh 15:14; Pro 25:13; Mat 25:34-40; Heb 13:1-2. How highly hospitality should be cultivated among children of God in these days of greed, covetousness, gluttony, and selfishness among men.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
−
3. He suffered him to go to. Paul might have hid himself − (636) in a large city, which joined to the sea; but he was bound with the oracle, that he could not withdraw himself from the calling of God. Again, because the centurion had so courteously entertained him, that he suffered him to go to his friends, that they might dress and refresh him, whom he might have left in the stinking ship, − (637) he ought not nor could he provide for his own life, with the other man’s danger, without filthy treachery. − (638) Neither must we in any case suffer those who have courteously intreated us to be deceived by their courtesy through our fault. Let the readers fet [seek] the voyage whereof Luke speaketh out of those which describe places and countries; − (639) only I say thus much, that all that which is said tendeth to this end, that we may know that their sailing was dangerous and tempestuous, after that they were once gone out of the haven of Sidon, until they came near to Melita; and that afterward the mariners did strive long time with contrary winds, until a cruel storm − (640) arose, whose end was shipwreck, as we shall see.
(636) −
“
Latebras nancisci poterat,” might have found a place of concealment.
(637) −
“
Navis prodore,” the stench of the ship.
(638) −
“
Turpi perfidia,” base perfidy.
(639) −
“
Ex geographis,” out of geographers.
(640) −
“
Saevior procella,” a fiercer storm.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
4.
AT SIDON. Act. 27:3.
Act. 27:3
And the next day we touched at Sidon: and Julius treated Paul kindly, and gave him leave to go unto his friends and refresh himself.
3. Sixty-five miles was the extent of the first days sailing. Maybe because Julius was one of those who listened to Paul before Agrippa, or because he learned from Luke and Aristarchus of Pauls character, he gave him special permission to visit the saints in Sidon (cf. Act. 11:19). If we are right in thinking that most of the sailing of that time was done at night (because of the guidance of the stars) then we could say that Paul had a whole day to refresh himself. It would seem that although Paul was somewhat of a seasoned sea-man, on this occasion seasickness was hinted at in the words refreshed himself or received attention.
969.
How far did they sail the first day?
970.
How is it that in spite of their hurry Paul had a whole day to refresh himself?
971.
Was Paul seasick?
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
(3) And Julius courteously entreated.The English fairly expresses the meaning of the Greek adverb, which is literally philanthropically. We note, as in other instances, the favourable impression made by St. Pauls conduct on official persons who came in contact with him. (Comp. Act. 18:14; Act. 19:31; Act. 19:37.) The friends of St. Paul at Sidon were probably Christian disciples who had seen him when he passed through Phnicia, as in Act. 15:3, or in other journeys.
To refresh himself.Literally, to avail himself of their care. The Greek word suggests the thought of a provision of personal comforts, clothing and the like, for the voyage. After two years imprisonment we may well believe that such kindly care would be both necessary and acceptable.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
3. Sidon See note on Mat 11:21. A sail of sixty-seven miles.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly, and gave him leave to go to his friends and refresh himself.’
The next stop was Sidon, seventy miles up the coast, where they presumably stopped to unload or pick up cargo. This would leave a little time for going ashore. Julius, the centurion, appears to have struck up a rapport with Paul, and when they arrived at Sidon allowed him to visit friends there, no doubt accompanied by a guard, and to ‘refresh himself’, presumably both physically and spiritually. This may include the fact that they provided money and provisions for his journey. Festus may well have given orders that Paul was to be treated as befitted a Roman citizen on appeal. He had after all made the choice to go to Rome. He was going willingly.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Act 27:3. To refresh himself. To enjoy the benefit of their care.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Act 27:3 . ] unto Sidon , into the seaport. Comp. Act 21:3 , Act 26:12 .
] to have intercourse , fellowship, with any one . See Wetstein, and Ruhnk. ad Tim . p. 101. The fact that the centurion treated Paul so kindly may be sufficiently explained from the peculiar interest, which a character so lofty and pure could not but awaken in humane and unprejudiced minds. It may be also that the procurator had specially enjoined a gentle treatment.
is to be analysed as accusative with infinitive. See on Act 26:20 , and Lobeck, ad Soph. Aj. 1006.
. ] Without doubt Paul had told the centurion that he had friends (namely, Christian brethren, Act 9:19 ) in Sidon. Still the centurion would not leave him without military escort, as indeed his duty required this. Comp. Grotius, “cum milite.”
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
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.
Ver. 3. Liberty to go to his friend ] A great favour: there is no small comfort in the communion of saints. This heathen persecutors knew, and therefore banished and confined the Christians to isles and mines, where they could not have access one to another. (Cyprian.)
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
3. ] This celebrated city is generally joined in the N. T. with Tyre, from which it was distant 200 stadia (Strabo, xvi. 756 ff.), and of which it was probably the mother city. It was within the lot of the tribe of Asher ( Jos 19:28 ), but never conquered by the Israelites (Jdg 1:31 ; Jdg 3:3 ). From the earliest times the Sidonians were renowned for their manufactures of glass (‘Sidon artifex vitri,’ Plin. Act 27:19 ), linen ( , Il. . 290), silversmith’s work (Il. . 743, and Od. . 115, &c.), and for the hewing of timber (1Ki 5:6 ; Ezr 3:7 ). In ancient times, Sidon seems to have been under Tyre, and to have furnished her with mariners (see Eze 27:8 ). It went over to Shalmaneser, king of Assyria (Jos. Antt. ix. 14. 2); but seems under him, and afterwards under the Chaldans and Persians, to have had tributary kings of its own (Jer 25:22 ; Jer 27:3 ; Herod. viii. 67). The Sidonians furnished the best ships in Xerxes’ navy, Herod. vii. 96, 99. Under Artaxerxes Oehus Sidon freed itself, but was by him, after a severe siege, taken and destroyed (Diod. Sic. xvi. 43 ff.). It was rebuilt, and soon after went over to Alexander, keeping its own vassal kings. After his death it was alternately under Syrian and Egyptian rule, till it fell under the Romans. The present Saida is west of ancient Sidon, and is a port of some commerce, but insecure, from the sanding up of the harbour (Winer, Realw. See also Robinson, vol. iii. pp. 415 ff., who gives an account of the history of Sidon during the middle ages).
] This dat. looks very like a grammatical correction: the of the rec. would be an instance of an acc. with inf. after a dat. preceding, as ch. Act 26:20 ; Act 22:17 . The here mentioned were probably Christian brethren (see ch. Act 11:19 , where the Gospel is said to have been preached in Phnicia; and ch. Act 21:3 , where we find brethren at Tyre ); but it is usual in that case for or to be specified: cf. ch. Act 21:4 ; Act 21:7 . The was perhaps to obtain from them that outfit for the voyage which, on account of the official precision of his custody at Csarea, he could not there be provided with.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Act 27:3 . : an easy journey to Sidon distance 69 sea miles (Breusing). .: technical nautical term, opposite of in Act 27:2 , see above. . .: “and Julius treated Paul kindly,” R.V., cf. Act 28:2 . Bengel says “videtur audisse Paulum,” 25:32. Hobart, so also Zahn, sees in ., which is peculiar to Luke in N.T., the word a medical man might be likely to use. See also on , Act 28:2 , below, but in Dem., 411, 10, we have the phrase . , so in Plutarch, and the adverb occurs in 2Ma 9:27 , 3Ma 3:20 . . only in Luke and Paul, cf. 2Co 13:10 , in LXX Gen 26:29 . : probably with the soldier to whom he was chained, but see also [408] text, critical note. : “to receive attention,” R.V. margin, cf. Isocr., 113 D. The noun is found in Pro 3:8 , 1Ma 16:14 , 2Ma 11:23 , 3Ma 5:1 , and also in classical Greek; it was also frequently employed in medical language for the care bestowed upon the sick, and it may be so here; so Hobart, Zahn, Felten, Vogel, Luckock. St. Luke alone uses the word in the N.T., and he alone uses the verb in the sense of caring for the needs of the body, Luk 10:24 ; Luk 10:35 , another word frequently employed with this meaning by medical writers (Zahn). A delay would be made at Sidon, no doubt, for merchandise to be shipped or unladen. There is no occasion to regard the verse, with Overbeck, as an interpolation; see Wendt’s note in favour of its retention, p. 543 (1888)).
[408] R(omana), in Blass, a first rough copy of St. Luke.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
next. Greek. heteros, as in Act 27:1.
touched = landed. Greek. katago. See Act 21:3.
Sidon. The great port of Phoenicia about 70 miles north of Caesarea. The wind must therefore have been favourable, south-south-west.
courteously = kindly. Greek. philanthropos. Only here. Compare App-135.
entreated . . . and = using. Greek. chraomai. Elsewhere translated “use”.
gave . . . liberty. Greek. epitrepo. See Act 26:1.
refresh himself = obtain (Greek. tunchano. See Act 26:22) their care (Greek. epimeleia. Only here).
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
3. ] This celebrated city is generally joined in the N. T. with Tyre, from which it was distant 200 stadia (Strabo, xvi. 756 ff.), and of which it was probably the mother city. It was within the lot of the tribe of Asher (Jos 19:28), but never conquered by the Israelites (Jdg 1:31; Jdg 3:3). From the earliest times the Sidonians were renowned for their manufactures of glass (Sidon artifex vitri, Plin. Act 27:19), linen ( , Il. . 290), silversmiths work (Il. . 743, and Od. . 115, &c.), and for the hewing of timber (1Ki 5:6; Ezr 3:7). In ancient times, Sidon seems to have been under Tyre, and to have furnished her with mariners (see Eze 27:8). It went over to Shalmaneser, king of Assyria (Jos. Antt. ix. 14. 2); but seems under him, and afterwards under the Chaldans and Persians, to have had tributary kings of its own (Jer 25:22; Jer 27:3; Herod. viii. 67). The Sidonians furnished the best ships in Xerxes navy, Herod. vii. 96, 99. Under Artaxerxes Oehus Sidon freed itself, but was by him, after a severe siege, taken and destroyed (Diod. Sic. xvi. 43 ff.). It was rebuilt, and soon after went over to Alexander, keeping its own vassal kings. After his death it was alternately under Syrian and Egyptian rule, till it fell under the Romans. The present Saida is west of ancient Sidon, and is a port of some commerce, but insecure, from the sanding up of the harbour (Winer, Realw. See also Robinson, vol. iii. pp. 415 ff., who gives an account of the history of Sidon during the middle ages).
] This dat. looks very like a grammatical correction: the of the rec. would be an instance of an acc. with inf. after a dat. preceding, as ch. Act 26:20; Act 22:17. The here mentioned were probably Christian brethren (see ch. Act 11:19, where the Gospel is said to have been preached in Phnicia; and ch. Act 21:3, where we find brethren at Tyre); but it is usual in that case for or to be specified: cf. ch. Act 21:4; Act 21:7. The was perhaps to obtain from them that outfit for the voyage which, on account of the official precision of his custody at Csarea, he could not there be provided with.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Act 27:3. , courteously) A suitable word, applied to offices of kindness on the part of comparative strangers, ch. Act 28:2; Tit 3:4, .-, Julius) He seems to have heard Paul (when speaking before Agrippa, who is said to have been accompanied by the chief captains and principal men of the city), ch. Act 25:23.-, friends) who were at Sidon, [equally as (as also) at Tyre.-V. g.]
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Sidon: Act 12:20, Gen 10:15, Gen 49:13, Isa 23:2-4, Isa 23:12, Zec 9:2
Julius: Act 24:23, Act 27:1, Act 27:3, Act 28:16
Reciprocal: Jer 40:5 – gave him Luk 7:2 – centurion’s Act 22:25 – the centurion Act 27:43 – willing Act 28:2 – showed Heb 13:3 – them that 1Pe 3:8 – courteous
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
3
Act 27:3. The ship landed next day at Sidon, a seaport on the coasts of Asia. While the ship was anchored here, Paul was permitted to visit his friends among the disciples.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Act 27:3. The next day we touched at Sidon. With a favourable wind this would be very easy. The distance was only sixty-seven miles; and six knots an hour would, as we shall see below, be under the natural speed of the ship under such circumstances. But a question arises here. Sidon lay due north of Csarea on the Phoenician coast, and the course to the neighbourhood of Asia was west-north-west. We do not know all the circumstances of the case; but very good reasons can be given why the vessel should have touched at Sidon. She might have had passengers or merchandise to land or to take on board there. But other reasons can be given of a physical kind. We know from what follows that the wind was contrary on leaving Sidon, and sufficiently strong also to force the vessel to take the northern side of Cyprus. Now, we learn from nautical authorities that north-westerly winds are prevalent in that part of the Levant. Moreover, a strong current sets to the north along the Phoenician coast, and is favourable to the progress of a ship in that direction. Hence it is very probable that the wind was blowing hard from the northwest from the first, and nothing was more natural than that the vessel should go into harbour at Sidon, even if no business required her presence there.
Julius courteously entreated (i.e. treated) Paul. Already we have a strong indication of the centurions friendly disposition, and of the influence gained by the apostle over him. It is highly probable that Julius had obtained in Csarea some knowledge of the character of St. Paul, and of the circumstances of his imprisonment, and even that he was there personally acquainted with him. See the special reference to military quarters in Act 23:31-35, and compare Act 24:23.
His friends. St. Pauls name would be quite sufficient to secure the friendship of any Christians at Sidon. But it is almost certain that he had personal friends there. The Gospel had been actively diffused along this part of the coast, soon after the persecution which resulted in the death of Stephen (Act 11:19). Barnabas had been sent along this coast from Jerusalem when news came of successful evangelization in Antioch (Act 11:22), and he was directed to spread the Gospel as he went (see the note on that passage). And again, it was along the same route that Barnabas and Saul afterwards took the charitable relief from Antioch to Juda. The Roman way by Tyre and Sidon was a well travelled road, with frequent communication among the towns which lay along the line. St. Paul himself had very recently been at Tyre (Act 21:3), as well as at Ptolemais (Act 21:7), and had held affectionate intercourse with the Christians at both places.
To refresh himself. More literally, to obtain friendly care. Two particulars here naturally suggest themselves. First, we know that St. Paul had experience of delicate health; and this state of suffering must have been aggravated by his imprisonment of two years (Act 24:27) at Csarea. Secondly, he had a long and circuitous voyage in prospect, at a bad season of the year; and some provision for his comfort was by no means a matter of light importance (see 2Ti 4:13; 2Ti 4:21).
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Act 27:3-8. And the next day we touched at Sidon A celebrated city on the Phenician coast, not far from Tyre. Here Julius, to whose care the prisoners had been delivered, being a man of singular humanity, allowed Paul to go ashore and refresh himself with the brethren of that city; a favour which must have been peculiarly acceptable to one that had been so long in prison. After that, loosing from Sidon, they sailed under Cyprus Leaving it on the left hand; to Myra, a city of Lycia; and there finding a ship of Alexandria, bound for Italy, they went aboard. This ship, it is probable, was laden with wheat, for the greatest part of the corn consumed in Rome was brought from Alexandria in Egypt; and the vessels employed in that trade were exceedingly large, as this vessel certainly was; for there were on board of her no fewer than two hundred and seventy-six persons. And when we had sailed slowly many days By Rhodes and several other small islands, which lay near the Carian shore; and scarce were come over against Cnidus A cape and city of Caria; the wind not suffering us
To make greater despatch, steering to the south; we sailed under Crete A well-known island in the Mediterranean sea; over against Salmone A promontory on the eastern coast of that island. And hardly passing it That is, passing the cape with difficulty; we came to a place called The Fair Havens The most considerable port in that part of Crete, which still retains the same name: but the city Lasea, mentioned next, is now utterly lost, together with many more of the hundred cities for which Crete was once so renowned.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
3. The apostolic company are now fairly launched upon their voyage, the details of which constitute a peculiar and most interesting passage in sacred history. (3) “And the next day we landed at Sidon: and Julius, treating Paul humanely, permitted him to go to the friends, and partake of their kindness.” Here we learn that Paul found friends, who were, doubtless, brethren, in the city of Sidon. Thus we find that both the Phenician cities, Tyre and Sidon, to whose wickedness the Savior once so significantly alluded, had, ere now, received the gospel. With the brethren in the former place Paul had spent a week on his voyage to Jerusalem, and now the beginning of another voyage, not much less mournful, is cheered by the hospitality of those in the latter.
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
3. Sidon is an old Tyrian maritime city celebrated in the days of the prophets along with Tyre for magnificence, wealth and commercial enterprise. At this first stop, as well as throughout the voyage, we see the peculiar kindness of Julius to Paul.
Fuente: William Godbey’s Commentary on the New Testament
Sidon stood about 70 miles north of Caesarea. Paul’s friends were probably members of the church there (cf. Act 11:19). A soldier would have accompanied Paul wherever he went.