Since it was decided that we would sail for Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a Roman commander named Julius. He belonged to the Imperial Guard and led 100 men.
But the commander wanted to save Paul’s life, so he kept the soldiers from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to throw themselves overboard first and swim to land.
When the Roman commander and those who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and everything that had happened, they were terrified and exclaimed, “He had to be the Son of God!”
Then the commander called for two of his officers. He ordered them, “Gather a company of 200 soldiers, 70 horsemen, and 200 men armed with spears. Get them ready to go to Caesarea at nine o’clock tonight.
Another officer was standing there as they stretched Paul out to be whipped. Paul said to him, “Is it legal for you to whip a Roman citizen who hasn’t even been found guilty?”
So Judas came to the garden, guiding a group of soldiers and some officials sent by the chief priests and Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns, and weapons.
The people were trying to kill Paul, but news of the violence reached the commander of the Roman troops. He heard that people were making trouble in the whole city of Jerusalem.