John Calvin Commentary Acts 27:1

"And when it was determined that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners to a centurion named Julius, of the Augustan band." — Acts 27:1 (ASV)

Luke sets down Paul’s voyage by sea primarily for this purpose: that we may know he was brought to Rome wonderfully by God’s hand; and that the glory of God was clearly shown in many ways through his actions and words, even during the journey itself, which further established his apostleship.

He is handed over to be transported with other prisoners; but the Lord afterward makes a great distinction between him and the evildoers, who were in chains just as he was. Indeed, moreover, we shall see how the captain releases him and allows him to be at liberty, while the rest remain bound.

I do not know what band that was which Luke calls the band of Augustus, unless, perhaps, it was that which was commonly called the praetor’s band before the monarchy of the Caesars. And Luke states plainly that they were put in a ship of Adramyttium, because they were to sail along the coast of Asia.

For Adramyttium is a city of Aeolia. I cannot say from what harbor they launched.

Because they could not sail with a straight course to Sidon—unless the maps greatly deceive me—we can well guess that they were brought there, either because they could not find a ship anywhere else or because they were to take the other prisoners, who are mentioned, from that region.