Julius was a centurion (officer) in the imperial cohort (the Augustan Cohort) who was given charge of escorting the apostle Paul and other prisoners from Caesarea to Rome. He showed kindness and respect to Paul during the dangerous sea voyage, and played a key role in saving Paul's life when the soldiers intended to kill the prisoners during the shipwreck off Malta.
Événements clés
Receives Responsibility for the Prisoners
Julius, a centurion in the Augustan Cohort, was tasked with escorting Paul and other prisoners from Caesarea to Rome to stand trial before the emperor.
1When it was decided that we should sail for Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius, of the Imperial Cohort.
2We boarded a ship from Adramyttium that was about to sail to ports along the coast of Asia, and we put out to sea. Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, was with us.
When Paul warned against continuing the journey from Fair Havens in Crete, Julius chose to listen to the ship's captain and owner instead of Paul, which led to a catastrophic storm.
Preventing the Killing of Prisoners During the Shipwreck
When the soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent escape during the shipwreck, Julius intervened and stopped them because he wanted to save Paul's life.
43But the centurion wanted to spare Paul's life and kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land,
43But the centurion wanted to spare Paul's life and kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land,