34 Bible Verses about Prisoners

And while he was yet speaking, behold, Judas one of the twelve came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now he that betrayed him had given them a signal, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is he: seize him. And immediately approaching to Jesus, he said, Hail, master; and kissed him. read more.
Then spake Jesus to him, Friend, for what purpose art thou here? Then approaching they laid hands on Jesus, and seized him. And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretching out his hand, drew his sword, and striking at a servant of the high-priest, cut off his ear. Then saith Jesus unto him, Return thy sword into its sheath: for all who take the sword, shall perish by the sword. Thinkest thou, that I cannot now entreat my Father, and he will give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? In that hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a robber, with swords and staves to apprehend me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid not hold upon me. But all this is come to pass, that the scriptures of the prophets should be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled. Then they who had apprehended Jesus, brought him to Caiaphas the high-priest, where the scribes and elders were assembled. But Peter followed him at a great distance unto the palace of the high-priest, and entering in, sat down with the servants, to see the issue. Now the chief priests and elders and the whole sanhedrim, sought false witness against Jesus, that they might put him to death; and found none: and though many false witnesses came, they found it not [sufficient]. But at the last two false witnesses stepping forth, said, This fellow said, I am able to pull down the temple of God, and to build it up in three days. And the high-priest rising up, said to him, Answerest thou nothing? what do these men witness against thee? But Jesus was silent. And the high-priest addressing him, said, I adjure thee, by the living God, that thou tell us, if thou art the Messiah, the Son of God. Jesus saith to him, Thou hast spoken [the fact]. Moreover I tell you, hereafter ye shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Then the high-priest rent his garments, saying, he hath blasphemed: what farther need have we of witnesses? lo! now ye have heard his blasphemy: what think ye? They answered and said, He is deserving of death. Then they spit in his face, and buffeted him about; and some slapt his face with their hands, saying, Prophesy to us, you Messiah, who it is that struck thee! Now Peter sat without in the hall: and there came to him a single maid-servant, saying, Thou also wert with Jesus of Galilee. But he denied it before them all, asserting, I know not what thou art saying. Then as he was going out at the gate, another maid-servant saw him, and saith to those who were there, This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth. Then again he denied with an oath, I know not the man. But after a little while they who stood by, came up and said to Peter, Assuredly thou also art one of them: for even thy speech maketh thee manifest. Then began he to utter the bitterest curses, and to swear, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, who had said unto him, Before the cock shall crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And going out, he wept bitterly.

And immediately, while he was yet speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, came up, and a great multitude with him, with swords and staves, from the chief priests, and scribes, and elders. Now he that betrayed him, had given them a countersign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is he, seize him, and lead him off safely. And coming, he immediately drew up to him and said, Rabbi, Rabbi, and kissed him. read more.
Then they laid their hands on him, and seized him. And one particular person of those who stood by drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. And Jesus addressing them said, Are ye come out as against a robber, with swords and staves, to apprehend me? Daily was I with you in the temple teaching, and ye laid no hold upon me: but [this is done] that the scriptures might be fulfilled. Then they all deserting him, fled. And a certain youth followed him, having a linen cloth wrapped round his naked body; and the young men laid hold of him; and leaving the linen cloth behind, he fled naked from them. And they led Jesus unto the high-priest; and with him were assembled all the chief priests, and the elders, and the scribes. And Peter followed him at a distance, until he came into the palace of the high-priest: and was seated with the servants, and warming himself at the fire. Then the chief priests, and the whole sanhedrim, sought for witness against Jesus, that they might put him to death; yet found none. For many bore false witness against him, and their attestations did not correspond. And certain persons rising up, bore false witness against him, saying, We have heard him affirm, I will destroy this temple made with hands, and after three days I will build another not made with hands. But even then their testimony was not correspondent. So the high-priest rising up in the midst interrogated Jesus, Answerest thou nothing? What is it that these witness against thee? But he kept silence, and made them not a word of reply. Again the high-priest questioned him, and said to him, Art thou the Messiah, the Son of the blessed? Then said Jesus, I am. And ye shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of power, and coming with the clouds of heaven. Then the high-priest rent his clothes, and said, What farther need have we of witnesses? Ye have heard his blasphemy. What think ye? And they all adjudged him to be deserving of death. And some began to spit upon him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say to him, Prophesy: and the servants slapped him on the face with their hands. And as Peter was in the hall, at the lower end, there came to him one of the high-priest's maid-servants: and seeing Peter warming himself, stedfastly looking at him, she said, Thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth. Then he denied it, saying, I do not so much as know him, nor understand what thou art saying. And he went out into the vestibule; and the cock crew. And a maid-servant observing him again; began to say to those who stood by, This man is one of them. Then he denied it again. And after a little while, they who stood by said to Peter, Of a certainty thou art one of them; for thou art a Galilean, and thy speech is correspondent. Then began he to make the most dreadful imprecations, and to swear, I know not the man of whom ye speak. And the second time the cock crew. And Peter remembered the word which Jesus spake unto him, That before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And casting his mantle over his face, he wept.

And while he was yet speaking, behold a multitude, and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and approached Jesus to kiss him. Then said Jesus unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss? Then when they who were about him saw what was ready to happen, they said unto him, Lord, shall we strike with the sword? read more.
And one of them struck at a servant of the high-priest, and cut off his right ear. Then Jesus, addressing them, said, Permit me thus far: and touching his ear, he healed him. Then said Jesus to the chief priests and captains of the temple, and to the elders who were come forth against him, Are ye come out as against a robber, with swords and staves? When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched out no hands upon me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness. Then seizing upon him, they led him away, and brought him into the palace of the high-priest. But Peter followed at a distance. And as they had lighted a fire in the middle of the hall, and had seated themselves in a company, Peter sat down in the midst of them. But a certain maid-servant who sat at the fire, eyeing him, and looking at him stedfastly, said, This man was also with him. But he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not. And after a little while another seeing him, said, Surely thou art one of them. Then said Peter, Man, I am not. And at about an hour's distance, another person strongly asserted, saying, Of a certainty this fellow was also with him: for he too is a Galilean. And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And instantly, while he was yet speaking, the cock crew. And the Lord, turning round, looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, That before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And Peter going without, wept bitterly. And the men who held Jesus insulted him, beating him with rods; and blindfolding him, smote him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is he that struck thee? And many other things, blaspheming, spake they against him. And when the day broke, the elders of the people and the chief priests and scribes assembled, and brought him into their sanhedrim, saying, If thou art the Messiah, tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe: and if I shall ask you any question, ye will neither answer me, nor let me go free. Hereafter shall the Son of man sit at the right hand of the power of God. Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Yourselves say that I am. Then they said, What further need have we of witness? for we have heard it from his own mouth.

Then Judas having taken a band of soldiers, and the inferior officers of the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and arms. Jesus therefore, conscious of all things that were coming upon him, going forward, said to them, Whom are ye seeking? They answered him, Jesus the Nazarean. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. Then stood also Judas, who betrayed him, with these men. read more.
As he then spake to them, I am he, they retreated backward, and fell flat on the ground. Again therefore he demanded of them, Whom seek ye? Then they said, Jesus the Nazarean. Jesus answered, I told you that I am he: if therefore ye are seeking me, permit these to go away: that the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, That of those whom thou hast given me, I have not lost one of them. Then Simon Peter having a sword, drew it, and struck a servant of the high-priest, and cut off his right ear. Now the servant's name was Malchas. Then said Jesus to Peter, Put up thy sword into the scabbard: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it? The band therefore, and the chief captain, and the inferior officers of the Jews, seized on Jesus, and bound him, and led him away to Annas first; for he was father-in-law to Caiaphas, who was the high-priest of that year. Now Caiaphas was the person who had given his advice to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should be destroyed instead of the people. Now Simon Peter had followed Jesus, and another disciple: and that disciple was acquainted with the high-priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high-priest. But Peter stood without at the door. Then that other disciple, who was acquainted with the high-priest, went out, and spoke to the porteress, and introduced Peter. Then said the damsel who kept the door to Peter, Art not thou also one of the disciples of this man? He saith, I am not. Now the servants and inferior officers having made a fire, for it was cold, stood and warmed themselves: and there stood Peter with them, and warmed himself. The high-priest then questioned Jesus concerning his disciples, and respecting his doctrine. Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I always taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews resorted; and in secret have I spoken nothing. Why dost thou question me? ask those who have heard me, what I have spoken to them: lo, they know what I said. As he was thus speaking, one of the servants who stood by him gave Jesus a slap on the face, saying, Dost thou answer the high-priest in this fashion? Jesus replied to him, If I have spoken in an improper manner, bear witness of the evil deed: but if properly, why strikest thou me? Now Annas had sent him bound to Caiaphas the high-priest. Meanwhile Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. Then said they to him, Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not. One of the servants of the high-priest, being a kinsman of him whose ear Peter cut off, said, Did I not see thee in the garden with him? Then again Peter denied: and instantly the cock crew. Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas to the praetorium: and it was early: and they themselves went not into the praetorium, that they should not be defiled; but that they might eat the passover. Pilate then came out to them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man? They answered and said to him, If this fellow had not been a malefactor, we should not have delivered him up to thee. Pilate then said to them, Take him yourselves, and according to your own law judge him. The Jews then said to him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death: that the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, intimating by what manner of death he should die. Pilate therefore entered again into the praetorium, and called Jesus, and said to him, Art thou the king of the Jews? Jesus answered him, Dost thou speak this from thyself, or did others speak to thee concerning me? Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thy own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee to me: what hast thou done? Jesus replied, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom had been of this world, then would my servants have struggled hard, that I should not have been delivered up to the Jews: but now my kingdom is not from hence. Then said Pilate unto him. Art thou not a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. For this end I was born, and for this I came into the world, that I should be a witness for the truth. Every one who is of the truth heareth my voice. Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And having thus spoken, he went out again unto the Jews and saith to them, I find no fault in him. But ye have a custom, that I should release to you one person at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews? Then again they all clamoured, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.

in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings,

And laying on them many stripes, cast them into prison, commanding the jailor to keep them in safe custody:

And taking them that same hour of the night, he washed their stripes; and was baptised, himself and all who belonged to him immediately.

So Pilate, willing to do what would be satisfactory to the people, released to them Barabbas, and delivered Jesus to be scourged, in order to be crucified.

Then he released unto them Barabbas: but having scourged Jesus, he delivered him up to be crucified.

But when her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they laid hold on Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the forum before the chief rulers, and presenting them to the magistrates, they said, These are the men that exceedingly disturb the peace of our city, being Jews, and enjoin customs which it is not lawful for us to receive, or to practise, being Romans. read more.
And the populace stood up together against them: and the magistrates, after having had their garments torn from their backs, commanded them to be beaten with rods. And laying on them many stripes, cast them into prison, commanding the jailor to keep them in safe custody: who, receiving such an injunction, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. But about midnight Paul and Silas, after joining in prayer, sang hymns to God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the very foundations of the prison were shaken: and instantly all the doors flew open, and every man's chains were loosed. Then the jailor being roused from sleep, and seeing the doors of the prison open, drew his sword, going to destroy himself, supposing the prisoners had escaped. But Paul called out with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no injury: for we are all here. Thereupon calling for a light, he rushed in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas; and having first brought them out, said, Sirs! what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, thou, and thy house. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all who were in his house. And taking them that same hour of the night, he washed their stripes; and was baptised, himself and all who belonged to him immediately. And when he had brought them into his house, he spread the table, and greatly rejoiced with all his household, believing in God. But when it was day, the magistrates sent the lictors, saying, Set those men at large. Then the jailor told these words to Paul, That the magistrates had sent to set them at liberty: now therefore, [said he,] get ye out, and pursue your journey in peace. But Paul said to them, They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men that are Roman citizens, and have cast us into prison; and would they now clandestinely send us away? no, verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out. Then the lictors reported all these words to the magistrates: and they were terrified, when they heard they were Roman citizens. So they came and spoke kindly to them, and fetching them out, besought them to depart from the city. Then leaving the prison, they went unto Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and went their way.

But as the seven days were now drawing to their period, some Jews from Asia seeing him in the temple, excited all the populace to tumult, and laid hands upon him, crying out, Men of Israel, help! This is the man, who, by his preaching, sets all men everywhere against the people, and the law, and this place: yea and more still, hath brought Greeks into the temple, and defiled this holy place: (for they had before seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, whom they imagined that Paul had introduced into the temple.) read more.
And the whole city was in motion, and there was a concourse of people assembled: and laying hands on Paul, they dragged him out of the temple; and immediately the doors were shut. And as they were attempting to murder him, the report reached the military tribune of the band, that all Jerusalem was in confusion. Who instantly taking soldiers and centurions ran down unto them: and when they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they left off beating Paul. Then the tribune approaching him, laid hold on him, and ordered him to be bound with two chains; and asked who he was, and what he had done. Then some among the multitude bellowed out one thing, and some another: so unable to know the certainty of the case because of the tumult, he ordered him to be brought into the fortress. But when he was on the stairs, it happened that he was borne up by the soldiers, because of the press of the crowd. For a multitude of the people followed, crying, Away with him! And when he was just ready to be carried into the fortress, Paul said to the military tribune, May I be permitted to speak a word to thee? And he said, Dost thou know Greek? Art not thou certainly that Egyptian who some time since raised a sedition, and led out into the desert four thousand cutthroats? But Paul replied, I am indeed a Jew, a man of Tarsus, of Cilicia, a citizen of no contemptible city: and, I entreat thee, permit me to speak to the people. So having his permission, Paul standing on the stairs, waved his hand to the people. And profound silence being obtained, he spake to them in the Hebrew tongue, saying,

Now at the feast, he released one prisoner to them, whomsoever they petitioned for.

(Now he held it necessary to release one to them at the feast.)

But ye have a custom, that I should release to you one person at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?

Now at the feast, the governor had been accustomed to release one prisoner to the people, whomsoever they chose. And they had at that time a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. Being therefore gathered around him, Pilate said to them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus called Messiah?

Then John, having heard in prison the works of Christ, sent two of his disciples,

For Herod himself had sent and seized upon John, and bound him in prison, for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife; because he had married her.

For Herod having seized John, had bound him, and put him in prison, for the sake of Herodias, the wife of Philip his brother. For John said unto him, It is unlawful for thee to have her. And though he wished to kill him, he was afraid of the multitude, for they held him as a prophet. read more.
But when Herod's birth-day was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced in the circle, and pleased Herod: so that with an oath he promised to give her whatever she should ask. And she, being previously urged on by her mother, said, Give me here, in a spacious dish, the head of John the Baptist. And the king was grieved: but for his oath's sake, and on account of those who were with him, he commanded it to be given her. And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison. And his head was brought on a large dish, and was given to the young lady: and she brought it to her mother. And his disciples came and took the body, and buried it, and they came and told Jesus.

added this also to all the rest, and shut up John in prison.

THEN Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretching out his hand, began his defence:

At my first apology no man stood by me, but all forsook me: (may it not be imputed to them!)

To whom I replied, That it was not customary for Romans to give up any man gratuitously to destruction, before that the person accused should have his accusers produced face to face, and be allowed opportunity to defend himself against the charge.

But Paul (the governor having made him a sign to speak) replied, Knowing that for so many years thou hast been the judge of this nation, I with the more confidence offer my defence respecting the matters which concern me:

But he pleaded in his defence, That neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar, have I committed the least offence.

who, receiving such an injunction, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.

NOW as it was determined that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners to a centurion named Julius, of the Augustan cohort.

And when we were come to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but he permitted Paul to have an apartment by himself, with a soldier only who guarded him.

And the next day we arrived at Sidon: and Julius treated Paul with the greatest humanity, and permitted him to go to his friends, to enjoy the benefit of their care.

But Paul abode two whole years in his own hired apartment, and received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all freedom of discourse, and without the least interruption.

And he commanded the centurion that Paul should be safe kept, yet have no close confinement, and not to hinder any of his friends from supplying his wants, or visiting him.

Then John, having heard in prison the works of Christ, sent two of his disciples,

"The spirit of the Lord is upon me, for the work whereunto he hath anointed me; he hath sent me to preach glad tidings to the poor; to heal the contrite in heart; to proclaim liberty to the captives; and restore sight to the blind; to send forth the bruised free from bonds;

for I was hungry, and ye gave me to eat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me to drink: I was a stranger, and ye received me hospitably: naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye took care of me: I was in prison, and ye came to me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungry, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? read more.
When indeed saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? When indeed saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the king answering shall say to them, Verily I tell you, for as much as ye have done it to one of these my brethren, the very least of them, ye have done it unto me. Then shall he say also to those on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry, and ye gave me nothing to eat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me nothing to drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye did not clothe me: sick, and in prison, and ye took no care of me. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he reply to them, saying, For as much as ye have not done it to one of the least of these, neither have ye done it to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Now when the day broke, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what could possibly become of Peter. And Herod sought him out earnestly, but not being able to find him, after having examined the guards strictly, he commanded them to be executed. And going down from Jerusalem to Caesarea, took up his abode there.

But when her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they laid hold on Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the forum before the chief rulers, and presenting them to the magistrates, they said, These are the men that exceedingly disturb the peace of our city, being Jews, and enjoin customs which it is not lawful for us to receive, or to practise, being Romans. read more.
And the populace stood up together against them: and the magistrates, after having had their garments torn from their backs, commanded them to be beaten with rods. And laying on them many stripes, cast them into prison, commanding the jailor to keep them in safe custody: who, receiving such an injunction, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. But about midnight Paul and Silas, after joining in prayer, sang hymns to God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the very foundations of the prison were shaken: and instantly all the doors flew open, and every man's chains were loosed. Then the jailor being roused from sleep, and seeing the doors of the prison open, drew his sword, going to destroy himself, supposing the prisoners had escaped. But Paul called out with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no injury: for we are all here. Thereupon calling for a light, he rushed in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas; and having first brought them out, said, Sirs! what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, thou, and thy house. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all who were in his house. And taking them that same hour of the night, he washed their stripes; and was baptised, himself and all who belonged to him immediately. And when he had brought them into his house, he spread the table, and greatly rejoiced with all his household, believing in God. But when it was day, the magistrates sent the lictors, saying, Set those men at large. Then the jailor told these words to Paul, That the magistrates had sent to set them at liberty: now therefore, [said he,] get ye out, and pursue your journey in peace. But Paul said to them, They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men that are Roman citizens, and have cast us into prison; and would they now clandestinely send us away? no, verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out. Then the lictors reported all these words to the magistrates: and they were terrified, when they heard they were Roman citizens. So they came and spoke kindly to them, and fetching them out, besought them to depart from the city. Then leaving the prison, they went unto Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and went their way.

Then arose the high-priest, and all those who were connected with him, (which was the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with zeal, and laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. But the angel of the Lord by night opened the doors of the prison, and conducting them forth, said, read more.
Go, and taking your station in the temple, speak to the people all the words of this life. Having heard this therefore, they entered very early in the morning into the temple, and taught. But when the high-priest came, and those who were with him, they convoked the sanhedrim, and all the assembly of elders of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to bring them. But the officers, on their arrival, found them not in the prison: and returning, informed them, saying; The prison indeed found we fast locked with all security, and the guards standing without, before the door: but when we opened it, we found no person within. Now when they heard these words, both the priest and captain of the temple and the chief priests were in the utmost perplexity concerning these things, what could be the meaning of it. Then came a person and informed them, saying, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people. Then went the captain, with the officers, and brought them; not forcibly, for they were afraid of the people, lest they should stone them. But when they had conducted them, they placed them in the sanhedrim: and the high-priest interrogated them, saying, Did we not lay our strict injunction upon you, that you should not teach in this name? and, lo, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and would fain bring this man's blood upon us. Then Peter and the apostles answering said, We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers hath raised up Jesus, whom ye had killed, suspending him on a tree. Him hath God exalted at his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance unto Israel, and remission of sins. And we are witnesses of these things; and the Holy Ghost also, which God hath given to those who obey him. But when they heard this, they were cut asunder as with a saw, and took counsel how to make away with them. Then arose a certain Pharisee, in the sanhedrim, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, held in high esteem by all the people, and ordered the apostles to be taken out for a little space; and he said unto them, Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves respecting these men, what ye mean to do to them. For before these days arose Theudas, saying that he himself was a singular personage: to whom a number of men, about four hundred, attached themselves: who was taken off; and as many as obeyed him, were dispersed, and came to nothing. And after him arose Judas the Galilean, in the days of the enrolment, and drew away a multitude of the populace after him: he also perished, and all, as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. And as to the matters now before you, I say unto you, Abstain from these men, and leave them to themselves: for if this design or this work be of men, it will come to nothing: but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; and in that case would be found fighters against God. And to him they assented: and calling in the apostles, after scourging them, they commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and dismissed them. Then they went rejoicing from the presence of the sanhedrim, that for his name's sake, they had been counted worthy to suffer this injurious treatment. And all the day long in the temple, and from house to house, they never ceased teaching and preaching Jesus Christ.

And seeing how agreeable this was to the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) Whom having apprehended, he put him in prison, delivering him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep guard over him; intending after the Passover to bring him forth to the people [for execution]. So then Peter was kept in prison: but fervent prayer was offered up by the church to God for him. read more.
Now when Herod was going to bring him forth, the same night was Peter fast asleep between the two soldiers, fastened to them with two chains: and the guards before the door kept the prison. And, lo! an angel of the Lord stood there, and light glared through the apartment: then with a stroke on Peter's side, he roused him up, and said, Arise quickly. And his chains fell from his hands. And the angel said to him, Gird thyself up, and bind on thy sandals. And he did so. And he said unto him, Wrap thyself in thy mantle, and follow me. And going out, he followed him; and knew not that it was a reality which was done by the angel; but he supposed he saw a vision. So passing through the first ward and the second, they came to the iron door which leads into the city, which opened to them spontaneously: and being come out, they walked forward through one street; and immediately the angel departed from him. And Peter coming to himself, said, Now I know assuredly, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me from the hand of Herod, and all the eager expectation of the people of the Jews. And after considering with himself, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, who is surnamed Mark; where many were thronged together, and praying. Peter then knocking at the door of the gatetway, there came a damsel to ask who was there, named Rhoda. And well knowing Peter's voice, she opened not the door for joy; but running in, told that Peter was standing before the door. But they said, Thou art raving. But she confidently persisted that it was so. Then they said, It is his angel. But Peter continued knocking: and they opened the door and saw him, and were astonished. Then beckoning with the hand that they should be silent, he informed them in what manner the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Tell James and the brethren these things. And departing thence he went into another place. Now when the day broke, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what could possibly become of Peter. And Herod sought him out earnestly, but not being able to find him, after having examined the guards strictly, he commanded them to be executed. And going down from Jerusalem to Caesarea, took up his abode there.

Now when Herod was going to bring him forth, the same night was Peter fast asleep between the two soldiers, fastened to them with two chains: and the guards before the door kept the prison. And, lo! an angel of the Lord stood there, and light glared through the apartment: then with a stroke on Peter's side, he roused him up, and said, Arise quickly. And his chains fell from his hands.

And taking them that same hour of the night, he washed their stripes; and was baptised, himself and all who belonged to him immediately.

And he commanded the centurion that Paul should be safe kept, yet have no close confinement, and not to hinder any of his friends from supplying his wants, or visiting him.

the military tribune commanded him to be brought into the fortress, ordering that he should be put to the question by scourging; that he might know for what cause they clamoured so loudly against him.

Now when Herod was going to bring him forth, the same night was Peter fast asleep between the two soldiers, fastened to them with two chains: and the guards before the door kept the prison.