⁵⁴ The Roman officer^[a] and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, “This man truly was the Son of God!”

³⁶ Then they sat around and kept guard as he hung there.

³⁹ When the Roman officer^[a] who stood facing him^[b] saw how he had died, he exclaimed, “This man truly was the Son of God!”

⁴³ He trusted God, so let God rescue him now if he wants him! For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”

⁴³ But the commanding officer wanted to spare Paul, so he didn’t let them carry out their plan. Then he ordered all who could swim to jump overboard first and make for land.

Paul Sails for Rome

27 When the time came, we set sail for Italy. Paul and several other prisoners were placed in the custody of a Roman officer^[a] named Julius, a captain of the Imperial Regiment.

Paul Is Sent to Caesarea

²³ Then the commander called two of his officers and ordered, “Get 200 soldiers ready to leave for Caesarea at nine o’clock tonight. Also take 200 spearmen and 70 mounted troops.

³² He immediately called out his soldiers and officers^[a] and ran down among the crowd. When the mob saw the commander and the troops coming, they stopped beating Paul.

⁴⁷ When the Roman officer^[a] overseeing the execution saw what had happened, he worshiped God and said, “Surely this man was innocent.^[b]” ⁴⁸ And when all the crowd that came to see the crucifixion saw what had happened, they went home in deep sorrow.^{[c] 49} But Jesus’ friends, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance watching.

The Faith of a Roman Officer

⁵ When Jesus returned to Capernaum, a Roman officer^[a] came and pleaded with him,