James Hastings Dictionary of the Bible: Julius

Online Resource Library

Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | Download

James Hastings Dictionary of the Bible: Julius


Subjects in this Topic:

JULIUS.—For the voyage to Rome St. Paul was committed with other prisoners to the charge of a centurion named Julius, ‘of the Augustan band’ or cohort (Act_27:1). Julius showed much kindness to the Apostle, and evidently treated him as a man of importance, though he did not take his advice on a matter of navigation (Act_27:3; Act_27:9; Act_27:11; Act_27:21; Act_27:31; Act_27:43, Act_28:16). Sir Wm. Ramsay suggests (St. Paul, p. 323) that, as Julius rather than the captain or ‘sailing master’ (not ‘owner’) had supreme command (Act_27:11), the ship must have been a Government vessel. He and his soldiers were probably frumentarii or peregrini, having a camp at Rome and engaged in the commissariat of distant legions, and in bringing political prisoners. In Act_28:16 some MSS (not the best) say that the prisoners were delivered to the captain of the guard in Rome. This, if a gloss, is at least probably true; the captain of the peregrini would be meant. (See also art. Band.) A. J. Maclean.