The voyage began prosperously, and the day after they started, they cast anchor in the harbor of Sidon. Here Julius, the centurion who had listened to the apostle’s address before Agrippa, and had thus been favorably disposed toward him, “courteously entreated Paul,” and being informed that there were Christians in the place, he “gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself.” The favor was highly appreciated by the apostle, who was in feeble health, and but scantily provided with comforts for the long journey. His brief stay in Sidon was like an oasis in his barren and dreary path, and proved a comfort and encouragement to him during the anxious, storm-tossed weeks upon the sea.{LP 263.1}

Rejsen begyndte godt, og dagen efter at de begyndte, kastede de anker i Zidons havn. Her havde Julius, den befalingsmand som havde lyttet til apostlens tale for Agrippa, og havde fået gode kår at have med ham at gøre, “som behandlede Paulus ned velvilje," og blev informeret om at der var kristne på stedet, “gav ham lov til at gå hen til vennerne og nyde godt af deres omsorg." Apostlen påskønnede denne gave rigtig meget, som havde et svagt helbred, men gav ham knappe forsyninger for den lange rejse. Hans korte ophold i Zidon var som en oase på den golde og triste sti, viste sig at være bekvemmende og opmuntrende for ham i de urolige, stormfulde uger på havet.