74 Bible Verses about Prisoners

Most Relevant Verses

Genesis 37:24

They grabbed him and tossed him into the cistern, but the cistern was empty. (There was no water in it.)

Jeremiah 52:11

He blinded Zedekiah and bound him in bronze shackles. Then the king of Babylon took him to Babylon and put him in prison until he died.

Genesis 39:19

When Joseph's master heard his wife's claim to the effect that "This is how your servant treated me," he flew into a rage,

Genesis 40:3

that he locked them up in the prison dungeon operated by the captain of the guard, the very place where Joseph was imprisoned.

Genesis 41:14

Pharoah sent word to summon Joseph quickly from the dungeon, so they shaved his beard, changed his clothes, and then sent him straight to Pharaoh.

Genesis 42:16

One of you is to be sent back so he can get your brother while the rest of you remain in custody. That way, we'll test whether or not you're telling the truth. If you're not, as surely as the Pharaoh lives, you're spies!"

Judges 16:21

Then the Philistines grabbed him, gouged out his eyes, brought him down to Gaza, tied him up in bronze chains, and made him grind grain in their prison.

2 Kings 17:4

But the king of Assyria uncovered a conspiracy involving Hoshea, who had sent envoys to King So of Egypt and stopped offering tribute to the king of Assyria, as he had done annually. As a result, the king of Assyria placed him under arrest and sent him to prison.

2 Kings 25:18

The captain of the guard arrested Seraiah the chief priest, Zephaniah the second priest, three temple officials,

2 Chronicles 28:5

As a result, the LORD his God handed Ahaz over to the king of Aram, who defeated him and took a large number of captives away to Damascus. Ahaz was also delivered over to the control of the King of Israel, who defeated him with many heavy casualties.

2 Chronicles 33:11

so the LORD brought in the army commanders who worked for the king of Assyria, who captured Manasseh with hooks, bound him in bronze chains, and took him off to Babylon.

Isaiah 14:17

who made the world like a desert, who destroyed its cities, who would not open the jails for his prisoners?'

Isaiah 20:4

so the king of Assyria will lead away the Egyptian captives and exiles from Cush, both the young and the old, naked and barefoot with even their buttocks uncovered to the shame of Egypt.

Habakkuk 1:9

"They all come to oppress hordes of them, their faces pressing onward they take prisoners as numerous as the desert sand!

Ezra 7:26

Whoever refuses to practice the law of your God and the law of the king is to see judgment executed quickly, whether to death, banishment, confiscation of goods, or imprisonment.

Matthew 27:16

At that time they were holding a notorious prisoner named Barabbas.

Mark 15:6-7

At every festival, Pilate would release any one prisoner whom the people requested. Now there was a man in prison named Barabbas. He had been with the insurgents who had committed murder during the rebellion.

Luke 23:19

(This man had been put in prison for murder and for a revolt that had taken place in the city.)

Exodus 12:29

And so at midnight the LORD struck down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the prisoner who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of the livestock.

Isaiah 42:22-24

But this is a people who have been robbed and plundered, all of them trapped in pits or hidden away in prisons. They have become prey, with no one to rescue them; they have been made loot, with no one to say, "Send them back!' "Who among you will listen, and pay attention, and listen for the time to come?" "Who handed Jacob over to looters, and Israel to robbers? Was it not the LORD, against whom we have sinned? After all, they weren't willing to walk in his ways, and they wouldn't obey his instruction,

1 Kings 22:27

Give him this order: "Place him in prison on survival rations of bread and water only until I come back safely.'"

2 Chronicles 18:26

Give him this order: "Place him in prison on survival rations only until I come back safely.'"

2 Chronicles 16:10

In response, Asa flew into a rage and locked up the seer in stocks in the palace prison because of what Hanani had told him. Asa also tortured some of the people of Israel at that time.

Jeremiah 32:2

The army of the king of Babylon was then besieging Jerusalem, and Jeremiah the prophet was confined in the courtyard of the guard at the palace of the king of Judah

Jeremiah 33:1

This message from the LORD came to Jeremiah a second time while he was still confined in the courtyard of the guard:

Jeremiah 37:15

The officials were angry with Jeremiah and beat him. They put him in jail in the house of Jonathan the scribe because they had made it into a prison.

Jeremiah 38:6

So they threw Jeremiah into a cistern that belonged to the king's son Malchijah and was located in the courtyard of the guard. When they let Jeremiah down with ropes, because there was no water in the cistern only mud Jeremiah sank into the mud.

Jeremiah 39:15

This message from the LORD came to Jeremiah while he was confined in the courtyard of the guard:

Matthew 4:12

Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he went back to Galilee.

Mark 1:14

Now after John had been arrested, Jesus went to Galilee and proclaimed the gospel about the kingdom of God.

Matthew 11:2

Now when John heard in prison about the activities of the Messiah, he sent a message by his disciples

Matthew 14:3

Herod had arrested John, bound him with chains, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife.

Mark 6:17

because Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him with chains, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, whom Herod had married.

Mark 6:27

So without delay the king sent a soldier and ordered him to bring John's head. The soldier went and beheaded him in prison.

Luke 3:20

Added to all this, Herod locked John up in prison.

Acts 8:3

But Saul kept trying to destroy the church. Going into one house after another, he began dragging off men and women and throwing them in prison.

Acts 9:21

Everyone who heard him was astonished and said, "This is the man who harassed those who were calling on Jesus' name in Jerusalem, isn't it? Didn't he come here to bring them in chains to the high priests?"

Acts 22:4

I persecuted this Way, even executing people, and kept tying up both men and women and putting them in prison,

Acts 26:10

That is what I did in Jerusalem. I received authority from the high priests and locked many of the saints in prison. And when I cast my vote against them, they were put to death.

Acts 12:4

When he arrested Peter, Herod put him in prison and turned him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, planning to bring him out to the people after Passover season.

Acts 22:27

So the tribune went and asked Paul, "Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?" "Yes," he said.

Acts 23:29

I found that, although he was charged with questions about their Law, there was no charge against him deserving death or imprisonment.

Acts 28:17

Three days later, Paul called the leaders of the Jews together. When they assembled, he told them, "Brothers, although I haven't done anything against our people or the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans.

2 Corinthians 11:23

Are they the Messiah's servants? I am insane to talk like this, but I am a far better one! I have been involved in far greater efforts, far more imprisonments, countless beatings, and have faced death more than once.

Ephesians 3:1

For this reason I, Paul, am the prisoner of the Messiah Jesus for the sake of you gentiles.

Acts 16:23-24

After giving them a severe beating, they threw them in jail and ordered the jailer to keep them under tight security. Having received these orders, he put them into the inner cell and fastened their feet in leg irons.

Colossians 4:10

Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. You have received instructions about him. If he comes to you, welcome him.

Galatians 3:22-23

But the Scripture has captured everything by means of sin's net, so that what was promised by the faithfulness of the Messiah might be granted to those who believe. Now before faith came about, we were held in custody and confined under the Law in preparation for the faith that was to be revealed.

Psalm 142:7

Break me out of this prison, so I can give thanks to your name. The righteous will surround me, for you will deal generously with me. A Davidic Song

Isaiah 24:22

They will be herded together into the Pit; they will be shut up in prison, and after many days they will be punished.

Isaiah 42:6-7

"I've called you in righteousness. I'll take hold of your hand. I'll preserve you and appoint you as a covenant to the people, as a light for the nations, to open blind eyes and to bring out those who are bound from their cells, and those sitting in darkness from prison.

Ezekiel 19:9

They imprisoned him in a cage with hooks and brought him to the king of Babel. Then they placed him in their dungeon where his voice would no longer be heard on the mountains of Israel.

Zechariah 9:11-12

Now concerning you and my blood covenant with you, I have liberated your prisoners from a waterless pit. Return to your fortress, you prisoners who have hope. Even today I am telling you: In return I will repay you double.

Matthew 18:30

But he refused and had him thrown into prison until he could repay the debt.

Psalm 79:11

Let the cries of the prisoners reach you. With the strength of your power, release those condemned to death.

Genesis 39:21

But the LORD was with Joseph. He extended gracious love to him, causing the prison warden to be pleased with Joseph.

Psalm 102:20

to listen to the groans of prisoners, to set free those condemned to death,

Psalm 146:7

who brings justice for the oppressed, and who gives food to the hungry. The LORD frees the prisoners;

Isaiah 49:8-9

"This what the LORD says: "I'll answer you in a time of favor, and on a day of salvation I'll help you. I have watched over you, and given you as a covenant for the people, to restore the land, to reassign the inheritances that have been devastated; saying to captives, "Come out!' and to those who are in darkness, "Be free!' "They will feed on all the mountains, and their pasture will be on all the barren hills.

Lamentations 3:31-36

Indeed, the Lord will not always reject us though he causes grief, his compassion abounds according to his gracious love. For he does not deliberately hurt or grieve human beings.read more.
When any of the prisoners of the earth are crushed underfoot, when a person's rights are perverted in defiance of the Most High. When a man is thwarted in his appeal, does the Lord condone it?

From Thematic Bible


Prisoners » Of war » Put to death

1 Samuel 15:33

Samuel said, "Just as your sword has made women childless, so your mother will be childless among women." Then Samuel cut Agag into pieces in the LORD's presence in Gilgal.

2 Samuel 12:31

brought back the people who had lived in it, placing them under conscripted labor with saws, iron picks, and axes. He did this to every Ammonite city, and then David and his entire army returned to Jerusalem.

Amos 1:13

This is what the LORD says: "For three transgressions of the Ammonites and now for a fourth I will not turn away; because they ripped open the pregnant women of Gilead in order to enlarge their national borders.

2 Kings 25:7

They executed Zedekiah's sons in his presence, blinded Zedekiah, bound him with bronze chains, and transported him to Babylon.

1 Chronicles 20:3

brought back the people who had lived in it, and put them to conscripted labor with saws, iron picks, and axes. David did this to every Ammonite city, and then David and his entire army returned to Jerusalem.

Prisoners » Jesus

Matthew 26:47-75

Just then, while Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. A large crowd armed with swords and clubs was with him. They were from the high priests and elders of the people. Now the betrayer personally had given them a signal, saying, "The one I kiss is the man. Arrest him." So Judas immediately went up to Jesus and said, "Hello, Rabbi!" and kissed him tenderly. read more.
Jesus asked him, "Friend, why are you here?" Then the other men surged forward, took hold of Jesus, and arrested him. Suddenly, one of the men with Jesus reached out his hand, drew his sword, and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his ear. Jesus told him, "Put your sword back in its place! Everyone who uses a sword will be killed by a sword. Don't you think that I could call on my Father, and he would send me more than twelve legions of angels now? How, then, would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say this must happen?" At this point, Jesus asked the crowds, "Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as if I were a bandit? Day after day I sat teaching in the Temple, yet you didn't arrest me. But all of this has happened so that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples deserted Jesus and ran away. Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had assembled. Peter, however, followed him at a distance as far as the high priest's courtyard. He went inside and sat down with the servants to see how this would end. Meanwhile, the high priests and the whole Council were looking for false testimony against Jesus in order to have him put to death. But they couldn't find any, even though many false witnesses had come forward. At last two men came forward and stated, "This man said, "I can destroy the sanctuary of God and rebuild it in three days.'" At this, the high priest stood up and asked Jesus, "Don't you have any answer to what these men are testifying against you?" But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest told him, "I command you by the living God to tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God!" Jesus told him, "You have said so. Nevertheless I tell you, from now on you will see "the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power' and "coming on the clouds of heaven.'" Then the high priest tore his robes and said, "He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? Listen! You yourselves have just heard the blasphemy! What is your verdict?" They replied, "He deserves to die!" Then they spit in his face and hit him. Some slapped him, saying, "Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who hit you?" Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard when a servant girl came up to him and said, "You, too, were with Jesus the Galilean." But he denied it in front of them all. "I don't know what you're talking about!" he exclaimed. As he went out to the gateway, another woman saw him and told those who were there, "This man was with Jesus from Nazareth." Again he denied it and swore with an oath, "I don't know the man!" After a little while, the people who were standing there came up and told Peter, "Obviously you're also one of them, because your accent gives you away." Then he began to curse violently. "I don't know the man!" he swore solemnly. Just then a rooster crowed. Peter remembered the words of Jesus when he said, "Before a rooster crows, you'll deny me three times." Then he went outside and cried bitterly.

Mark 14:43-72

Just then, while Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. A crowd armed with swords and clubs was with him. They were from the high priests, the scribes, and the elders. Now the betrayer personally had given them a signal, saying, "The one I kiss is the man. Arrest him, and lead him safely away." So Judas immediately went up to Jesus and said, "Rabbi," and kissed him tenderly. read more.
Then the men took hold of Jesus and arrested him. But one of those standing there drew his sword and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his ear. Jesus asked them, "Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as if I were a bandit? Day after day I was with you in the Temple teaching, yet you didn't arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled." Then all the disciples deserted Jesus and ran away. A certain young man, who was wearing nothing but a linen sheet, was following Jesus. When the men grabbed him, he left the linen sheet behind and ran away naked. Then they took Jesus to the high priest. All the high priests, elders, and scribes had gathered together. Peter followed Jesus at a distance as far as the high priest's courtyard. He was sitting with the servants and warming himself at the fire. Meanwhile, the high priests and the whole Council were looking for some testimony against Jesus in order to have him put to death, but they couldn't find any. Although many people gave false testimony against him, their testimony didn't agree. Then some men stood up and gave false testimony against him, saying, "We ourselves heard him say, "I will destroy this sanctuary made by human hands, and in three days I will build another one not made by human hands.'" But even on this point their testimony didn't agree. Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, "Don't you have any answer to what these men are testifying against you?" But he kept silent and didn't answer at all. The high priest asked him again, "Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?" Jesus said, "I AM, and "you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power' and "coming with the clouds of heaven.'" Then the high priest tore his clothes. "Why do we still need witnesses?" he asked. "You have heard his blasphemy! What is your verdict?" All of them condemned him as deserving death. Some of them began to spit on him. They blindfolded him and kept hitting him with their fists and telling him, "Prophesy!" Even the servants took him and slapped him around. While Peter was down in the courtyard, one of the high priest's servant girls came by. When she saw Peter warming himself, she glared at him and said, "You, too, were with Jesus from Nazareth." But he denied it, saying, "I don't know or even understand what you're talking about!" Then he went out into the entryway. Just then a rooster crowed. The servant girl saw him and again told those who were standing around, "This man is one of them!" Again he denied it. After a little while, the people who were standing there began to say to Peter again, "Obviously you're one of them, because you are a Galilean!" Then he began to invoke a divine curse and to swear with an oath, "I don't know this man you're talking about!" Just then a rooster crowed a second time. Peter remembered that Jesus told him, "Before a rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times." Then he broke down and cried.

Luke 22:47-71

While Jesus was still speaking, a crowd arrived. The man called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them, and he came close to Jesus to kiss him. But Jesus asked him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?" When those who were around Jesus saw what was about to take place, they asked, "Lord, should we attack with our swords?" read more.
Then one of them struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his right ear. But Jesus said, "No more of this!" So he touched the wounded man's ear and healed him. Then Jesus told the high priests, the Temple police, and the elders, who had come for him, "Have you come out with swords and clubs as if I were a bandit? While I was with you day after day in the Temple, you didn't lay a hand on me. But this is your hour, when darkness reigns!" Then they arrested him, led him away, and brought him to the high priest's house. But Peter was following at a distance. When they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had taken their seats, Peter, too, sat down among them. A servant girl saw him sitting by the fire, stared at him, and said, "This man was with him, too." But he denied it, "I don't know him, woman!" he responded. A little later, a man looked at him and said, "You are one of them, too." But Peter said, "Mister, I am not!" About an hour later, another man emphatically asserted, "This man was certainly with him, because he is a Galilean!" But Peter said, "Mister, I don't know what you're talking about!" Just then, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. Then the Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. And Peter remembered the word from the Lord, and how he had told him, "Before a rooster crows today, you will deny me three times." So he went outside and cried bitterly. Then the men who were holding Jesus in custody began to make fun of him while they beat him. They blindfolded him and asked him over and over again, "Prophesy! Who is the one who hit you?" And they kept insulting him in many other ways. As soon as day came, the elders of the people, the high priests, and the scribes assembled and brought him before their Council. They said, "If you are the Messiah, tell us." But he told them, "If I tell you, you won't believe me, and if I ask you a question, you won't answer me. But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God." Then they all asked, "Are you, then, the Son of God?" He answered them, "You said it I AM." "Why do we need any more testimony?" they asked. "We have heard it ourselves from his own mouth!"

John 18:3-40

So Judas took a detachment of soldiers and some officers from the high priests and the Pharisees and went there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing everything that was going to happen, went forward and asked them, "Who are you looking for?" They answered him, "Jesus from Nazareth." Jesus told them, "I AM." Judas, the man who betrayed him, was standing with them. read more.
When Jesus told them, "I AM," they backed away and fell to the ground. So he asked them again, "Who are you looking for?" They said, "Jesus from Nazareth." Jesus replied, "I told you that I am the one, so if you are looking for me, let these men go." This was to fulfill what he had said, "I did not lose a single one of those you gave me." Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus. Jesus told Peter, "Put your sword back into its sheath. Shouldn't I drink the cup that the Father has given me?" Then the soldiers, along with their commander and the Jewish officers, arrested Jesus and tied him up. First they brought him to Annas, because he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. Caiaphas was the person who had advised the Jews that it was better to have one man die for the people. Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Since the other disciple was known to the high priest, he accompanied Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest. Peter, however, stood outside the gate. So this other disciple who was known to the high priest went out and spoke to the gatekeeper and brought Peter inside. The young woman at the gate asked Peter, "You aren't one of this man's disciples, too, are you?" "I am not," he replied. Meanwhile, the servants and officers were standing around a charcoal fire they had built and were warming themselves because it was cold. Peter was also standing with them, keeping himself warm. Then the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his own teaching. Jesus answered him, "I have spoken publicly to the world. I have always taught in the synagogue or in the Temple, where all Jews meet together, and I have said nothing in secret. Why do you question me? Question those who heard what I said. These are the people who know what I said." When he said this, one of the officers standing nearby slapped Jesus on the face and demanded, "Is that any way to answer the high priest?" Jesus answered him, "If I have said anything wrong, tell me what it was. But if I have told the truth, why do you hit me?" Then Annas sent him, with his hands tied, to Caiaphas the high priest. Meanwhile, Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. Some people asked him, "You aren't one of his disciples, too, are you?" He denied it by saying, "I am not!" Then one of the high priest's servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, said, "I saw you in the garden with Jesus, didn't I?" Peter again denied it, and immediately a rooster crowed. Then Jesus was led from Caiaphas to the governor's headquarters early in the morning. The Jews did not go into the headquarters, to avoid becoming unclean and unable to eat the Passover meal. So Pilate came out to them and asked, "What accusation are you bringing against this man?" They answered him, "If he weren't a criminal, we wouldn't have handed him over to you." Pilate told them, "You take him and try him according to your Law." The Jewish leaders told him, "It is not legal for us to put anyone to death." This was to fulfill what Jesus had said when he indicated the kind of death he was to die. So Pilate went back into the governor's headquarters, summoned Jesus, and asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" Jesus replied, "Are you asking this on your own initiative, or did others tell you about me?" Pilate replied, "I am not a Jew, am I? It is your own nation and high priests who have handed you over to me. What have you done?" Jesus answered, "My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom belonged to this world, my servants would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But for now my kingdom is not from here." Pilate asked him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. I was born for this, and I came into the world for this: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is committed to the truth listens to my voice." Pilate asked him, "What is "truth'?" and then he went out to the Jewish leaders again and told them, "I find no basis for a charge against him. But you have a custom that I release one person for you at Passover. Do you want me to release for you the king of the Jews?" At this, they shouted out again, "Not this fellow, but Barabbas!" Now Barabbas was a revolutionary.

Prisoners » Scourged

Acts 16:23

After giving them a severe beating, they threw them in jail and ordered the jailer to keep them under tight security.

Acts 16:33

At that hour of the night, he took them and washed their wounds. Then he and his entire family were baptized immediately.

More verses: 2 Corinthians 11:23-24

Prisoners » Paul

Acts 16:19-40

When her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone, they grabbed Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities who met together in the public square. They brought them before the magistrates and said, "These men are stirring up a lot of trouble in our city. They are Jews and are advocating customs that we're not allowed to accept or practice as Romans." read more.
The crowd joined in the attack against them. Then the magistrates had Paul and Silas stripped of their clothes and ordered them beaten with rods. After giving them a severe beating, they threw them in jail and ordered the jailer to keep them under tight security. Having received these orders, he put them into the inner cell and fastened their feet in leg irons. Around midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly, there was an earthquake so violent that the foundations of the prison were shaken. All the doors immediately flew open, and everyone's chains were unfastened. When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors wide open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, since he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted in a loud voice, "Don't hurt yourself, because we are all here!" The jailer asked for torches and rushed inside. Trembling as he knelt in front of Paul and Silas, he took them outside and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They answered, "Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you and your family will be saved." Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and everyone in his home. At that hour of the night, he took them and washed their wounds. Then he and his entire family were baptized immediately. He brought Paul and Silas upstairs into his house and set food before them. He was thrilled, as was his household, to believe in God. When day came, the magistrates sent guards, who commanded, "Release those men." The jailer reported these words to Paul, and added, "The magistrates have sent word to release you. So come out now and go in peace." But Paul told the guards, "The magistrates have had us beaten publicly without a trial and have thrown us into jail, even though we are Roman citizens. Now are they going to throw us out secretly? Certainly not! Have them come and escort us out." The guards reported these words to the magistrates, and they became afraid when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens. So the magistrates came, apologized to them, and escorted them out. Then they asked them to leave the city. Leaving the jail, Paul and Silas went to Lydia's house. They saw the brothers, encouraged them, and then left.

Acts 21:27-40

When the seven days were almost over, the Jews from Asia, seeing Paul in the Temple, stirred up a large crowd. They grabbed Paul, yelling, "Men of Israel, help! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere to turn against our people, the Law, and this place. More than that, he has even brought Greeks into the Temple and desecrated this Holy Place." For they had earlier seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him and assumed that Paul had taken him into the Temple. read more.
The whole city was in chaos. The people rushed together, grabbed Paul, dragged him out of the Temple, and at once the doors were sealed shut. The crowd was trying to kill Paul when a report reached the tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. Immediately the tribune took some soldiers and officers and ran down to the crowd. When the people saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. Then the tribune came up, grabbed Paul, and ordered him to be tied up with two chains. He then asked who Paul was and what he had done. Some of the crowd shouted this and some that. Since the tribune couldn't learn the facts due to the confusion, he ordered Paul to be taken into the barracks. When Paul got to the steps, he had to be carried by the soldiers because the mob had become so violent. The crowd of people kept following him and shouting, "Kill him!" Just as Paul was about to be taken into the barracks, he asked the tribune, "May I say something to you?" The tribune asked, "Oh, do you speak Greek? You're not the Egyptian who started a revolt some time ago and led 4,000 assassins into the desert, are you?" Paul replied, "I'm a Jew from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city. Please let me speak to the people." The tribune gave him permission, and Paul, standing on the steps, motioned for the people to be silent. When everyone had quieted down, he spoke to them in the Hebrew language:

Prisoners » Released at feasts

Mark 15:6

At every festival, Pilate would release any one prisoner whom the people requested.

Luke 23:17

Now he was obligated to release someone for them at the festival.

John 18:39

But you have a custom that I release one person for you at Passover. Do you want me to release for you the king of the Jews?"

Matthew 27:15-17

At every festival the governor had a custom of releasing to the crowd any prisoner whom they wanted. At that time they were holding a notorious prisoner named Barabbas. So when the people had gathered, Pilate asked them, "Which man do you want me to release for you Barabbas, or Jesus who is called "the Messiah'?"

Prisoners » John the baptist

Matthew 11:2

Now when John heard in prison about the activities of the Messiah, he sent a message by his disciples

Mark 6:17

because Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him with chains, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, whom Herod had married.

Matthew 14:3-12

Herod had arrested John, bound him with chains, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. John had been telling him, "It is not lawful for you to have her." Although Herod wanted to kill him, he was afraid of the crowd, since they regarded John as a prophet. read more.
But when Herod's birthday celebration was held, the daughter of Herodias danced before the guests. She pleased Herod so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked for. Prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me, right here on a platter, the head of John the Baptist." Under pressure because of his promises and his assembled guests, the king ordered that it be done. So he sent word and had John beheaded in prison. His head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she took it to her mother. When John's disciples came, they carried off the body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.

Luke 3:20

Added to all this, Herod locked John up in prison.

Prisoners » Of war » Consolations for

Psalm 146:7

who brings justice for the oppressed, and who gives food to the hungry. The LORD frees the prisoners;

Psalm 79:11

Let the cries of the prisoners reach you. With the strength of your power, release those condemned to death.

Psalm 102:19-20

For when he looked down from his holy heights the LORD looked over the earth from heaven to listen to the groans of prisoners, to set free those condemned to death,

Prisoners » Permitted to make defense

Acts 26:1

Then Agrippa told Paul, "You have permission to speak for yourself." So Paul stretched out his hand and began his defense.

Acts 25:16

I answered them that it was not the Roman custom to sentence a man to be punished until the accused met his accusers face to face and had an opportunity to defend himself against the charge.

Acts 24:10

When the governor motioned for Paul to speak, he replied:

Acts 25:8

Paul said in his defense, "I have done nothing wrong against the Law of the Jews, or of the Temple, or of the emperor."

Prisoners » In stocks

Proverbs 7:22

All of a sudden he follows her like an ox fit for slaughter or like a fool fit for a trap

Jeremiah 29:26

The LORD made you a priest instead of Jehoiada the priest to serve in the LORD's Temple as an official against every crazy prophet, and to put him in stocks and restraints.

Acts 16:24

Having received these orders, he put them into the inner cell and fastened their feet in leg irons.

Prisoners » Joseph

Genesis 39:20-23

arrested Joseph, and locked him up in the same prison where the king's prisoners were confined. So Joseph remained there in prison. But the LORD was with Joseph. He extended gracious love to him, causing the prison warden to be pleased with Joseph. So the prison warden entrusted into Joseph's care all the prisoners who were confined in prison. Whatever they did, Joseph was in charge of the work detail. read more.
The prison warden did not have to worry about anything under Joseph's care, because the LORD was with him. That's why Joseph prospered in everything he did.

Genesis 41:1-44

Two years later to the day Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing by the Nile River, when all of a sudden seven healthy, plump cows emerged from the Nile to graze in the grass that grew in the reeds that lined the bank. Right after that, seven more cows came up out of the Nile. Ugly and gaunt, they stood next to the other cows on the bank of the Nile River. read more.
But all of a sudden they ate up the seven healthy, plump cows! Then Pharaoh woke up. After he had fallen back to sleep, he had a second dream, in which seven ears of plump, fruit-filled grain grew up on a single stalk. Suddenly seven thin ears of grain that had been scorched by an east wind sprouted up right after them and ate up the seven plump, fruit-filled ears. Then Pharaoh woke up a second time, and it had been a very vivid dream! The very next morning, he was frustrated about the dream, so he sent word to summon all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. Pharaoh told them what he had dreamed, but no one could interpret them. Then Pharaoh's senior security advisor spoke up. "Maybe I should make a confession. When Pharaoh was angry with some of his servants, he incarcerated me in custody of the captain of the bodyguard, along with Pharaoh's head chef. We each had a dream on the same night, and each dream had its own meaning. There was a Hebrew young man incarcerated with us, who was also working as a servant to the captain of the bodyguard. "We each related our dreams, and then he interpreted them for us. He provided specific meanings for each of our dreams. And what he interpreted for each of us came true! Pharaoh restored me to my responsibilities, but he executed the other man." Pharoah sent word to summon Joseph quickly from the dungeon, so they shaved his beard, changed his clothes, and then sent him straight to Pharaoh. "I've had a dream," Pharaoh told Joseph, "but nobody can interpret it. I've heard that you can interpret dreams." "I can't do that," Joseph replied, "but God is concerned about Pharaoh's well-being." So Pharaoh told Joseph, "In my dream, I was standing on the bank of the Nile River, and all of a sudden seven healthy, plump, beautiful cows emerged from the Nile and began to graze among the reeds that line the bank. Just then, seven other cows emerged after them, poor, ugly, and appearing very gaunt in their flesh. I've never seen anything as ugly as those cows anywhere in the entire land of Egypt! But those thin, gaunt cows gobbled up the first seven healthy cows! Not only that," Pharaoh continued, "after they had finished devouring the cows, nobody could tell that they had gobbled them up, because they were just as ugly as before. Then I woke up. Later, I also dreamed about seven plump, fruit-filled ears of grain that grew up out of a single stalk. All of a sudden, seven thin, withered ears of grain, scorched by the east wind, sprouted up after them. But the thin ears gobbled up the seven good ears. I told all this to my advisors, but nobody was able to explain it to me." "Pharaoh's dreams are identical," Joseph replied. "God has told Pharaoh what he is getting ready to do. The seven healthy cows represent seven years, as do the seven healthy ears. The dreams are identical. The seven gaunt cows that arose after the healthy cows are seven years, as are the seven gaunt ears scorched by the east wind. There will be seven years of famine. So the message that I have for Pharaoh is that God is telling Pharaoh what he is getting ready to do. Be advised that seven years of phenomenal abundance are coming throughout all the land of Egypt, but after them seven years of famine are ahead, during which all of the abundance will be forgotten throughout the land of Egypt. The famine will ravage the land so severely that there will be no surplus in the land due to the coming famine, because it will be very severe. "Now since Pharaoh had that dream twice, it means that this event has been scheduled by God, and God will bring it to pass very soon. Therefore let Pharaoh select a wise, discerning person to place in charge over the land of Egypt. Also, let Pharaoh immediately proceed to appoint supervisors over the land of Egypt, who will collect one fifth of its agricultural production during the coming seven years of abundance. Let them collect all the food during the coming fruitful years, store up the grain in cities governed by Pharaoh's authority, and place it under guard. Let the food be kept in reserve to feed the land for the seven years of famine that will occur throughout Egypt, so the people don't die during the famine." What Joseph proposed pleased Pharaoh and all of his advisors, so Pharaoh asked his servants, "Can we find anyone else like this someone in whom the Spirit of God lives? Since God has revealed all of this to you," Pharaoh told Joseph, "there is no one so wise and discerning as you. So you are to be appointed in charge over my palace, and all of my people are to do whatever you command them to do. Only the throne will have greater authority than you." "Look!" Pharaoh confirmed to Joseph, "I've put you in charge of the entire land of Egypt!" Then Pharaoh removed his signet ring from his hand, placed it on Joseph's hand, had him clothed in fine linen garments, and placed a gold chain around his neck. Then he provided him with a chariot as his second-in-command, outfitted with a group of people who shouted out in front of him, "Bow your knees!" And that's how Pharaoh set Joseph over the entire land of Egypt. Pharaoh also told Joseph, "I'm still Pharaoh, but without your permission nobody in all of the land of Egypt will so much as lift up their hands or take a step!"

Prisoners » Kindness to » By julius, the centurion

Acts 27:1

When it was decided that we should sail to Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were transferred to a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the emperor's division.

Acts 28:16

When we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself with the soldier who was guarding him.

Acts 27:3

The next day, we arrived at Sidon, and Julius treated Paul kindly allowing him to visit his friends there and to receive any care he needed.

Acts 28:30-31

For two whole years Paul lived in his own rented place and welcomed everyone who came to him. He continued to preach about the kingdom of God and to teach boldly and freely about the Lord Jesus, the Messiah.

Prisoners » Cruelty to

Jeremiah 38:6

So they threw Jeremiah into a cistern that belonged to the king's son Malchijah and was located in the courtyard of the guard. When they let Jeremiah down with ropes, because there was no water in the cistern only mud Jeremiah sank into the mud.

Lamentations 3:53-54

They dumped me alive into a pit, sealing me in with stone. Water closed over my head, and I said, "I'm a dead man."

Prisoners » Jeremiah

Jeremiah 39:14

They sent for Jeremiah and took him from the courtyard of the guard. They handed him over to Ahikam's son Gedaliah, the grandson of Shaphan, to take him home. So he remained among the people.

Jeremiah 38:6-28

So they threw Jeremiah into a cistern that belonged to the king's son Malchijah and was located in the courtyard of the guard. When they let Jeremiah down with ropes, because there was no water in the cistern only mud Jeremiah sank into the mud. Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, a eunuch in the king's house, heard that Jeremiah had been put in the cistern. The king was sitting in the Benjamin Gate, so Ebed-melech went out of the palace and spoke to the king: read more.
"Your majesty, these men have acted wickedly in all they have done to the prophet Jeremiah by throwing him into the cistern. He will die where he is because of the famine since there is no more bread in the city." Then the king ordered Ebed-melech the Ethiopian: "Thirty men are at your disposal. Take them with you and bring up Jeremiah the prophet from the cistern before he dies." So Ebed-melech took the men with him and went to the palace, underneath the storeroom. He took worn out rags and worn out clothes from there, and using ropes he lowered them down to Jeremiah in the cistern. Ebed-melech the Ethiopian told Jeremiah, "Put the worn out rags and clothes under your armpits under the ropes," and Jeremiah did as he said. They pulled Jeremiah with the ropes and brought him up from the cistern, but Jeremiah remained in the courtyard of the guard. King Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah the prophet and had him brought to him at the third entrance to the LORD's Temple. The king told Jeremiah, "I'm going to ask you something, and don't hide anything from me." Jeremiah told Zedekiah, "When I tell you, you will surely put me to death, won't you? And when I give you advice, you don't listen to me." Then King Zedekiah, in secret, swore an oath to Jeremiah: "As surely as the LORD lives, who gave us this life to live, I won't have you put to death, nor will I hand you over to these men who are seeking to kill you." So Jeremiah told Zedekiah, "This is what the LORD God of the Heavenly Armies, the God of Israel, says: "If you will immediately surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, then you will live, and this city won't be burned with fire. Both you and your family will live. But if you don't surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, then this city will be given to the Chaldeans, and they'll burn it with fire. You won't escape from their hands.'" Then King Zedekiah told Jeremiah, "I'm afraid of the Judeans who have gone over to the Chaldeans. The Chaldeans may turn me over to them, and they may treat me harshly." Jeremiah said, "They won't turn you over. Obey the LORD in what I'm telling you, and it will go well for you and you will live. But if you refuse to surrender, this is what the LORD has shown me: Look, all the women who are left in the house of the king of Judah will be brought out to the officers of the king of Babylon, and will say, "These friends of yours have mislead you and overcome you. Your feet have sunk down into the mire, but they have turned away.' "They'll bring all your women and children out to the Chaldeans, and you won't escape from their hand. Indeed, you will be seized by the hand of the king of Babylon, and this city will be burned with fire." Then Zedekiah told Jeremiah, "Don't let anyone know about these words and you won't die. If the officials hear that I've spoken with you, and they come to you and say, "Tell us what you told the king, and what the king told you; don't hide it from us, and we won't put you to death,' then you are to say to them, "I was presenting my request to the king that I not be taken back to the house of Jonathan to die there.'" When all the officials came to Jeremiah and questioned him, he replied to them exactly as the king had ordered him. So they stopped speaking with him because the conversation had not been overheard. Jeremiah remained in the courtyard of the guard until the day Jerusalem was captured.

Prisoners » Visited by friends

Acts 24:23

He ordered the centurion to guard Paul but to let him have some freedom and not to keep any of his friends from caring for his needs.

Matthew 11:2

Now when John heard in prison about the activities of the Messiah, he sent a message by his disciples

Prisoners » Figurative

Prisoners » Severe hardships of, mitigated

Jeremiah 37:20-21

Now, please listen, your majesty, and pay attention to what I'm asking you. Don't make me go back to the house of Jonathan the scribe, so I don't die there." So King Zedekiah gave the order, and they assigned Jeremiah to the courtyard of the guard. Each day they gave him a loaf of bread from the bakers' street until all the bread in the city was gone. So Jeremiah remained in the courtyard of the guard.

Prisoners » Kindness to » By the prison guard to jeremiah

Jeremiah 38:7-28

Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, a eunuch in the king's house, heard that Jeremiah had been put in the cistern. The king was sitting in the Benjamin Gate, so Ebed-melech went out of the palace and spoke to the king: "Your majesty, these men have acted wickedly in all they have done to the prophet Jeremiah by throwing him into the cistern. He will die where he is because of the famine since there is no more bread in the city." read more.
Then the king ordered Ebed-melech the Ethiopian: "Thirty men are at your disposal. Take them with you and bring up Jeremiah the prophet from the cistern before he dies." So Ebed-melech took the men with him and went to the palace, underneath the storeroom. He took worn out rags and worn out clothes from there, and using ropes he lowered them down to Jeremiah in the cistern. Ebed-melech the Ethiopian told Jeremiah, "Put the worn out rags and clothes under your armpits under the ropes," and Jeremiah did as he said. They pulled Jeremiah with the ropes and brought him up from the cistern, but Jeremiah remained in the courtyard of the guard. King Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah the prophet and had him brought to him at the third entrance to the LORD's Temple. The king told Jeremiah, "I'm going to ask you something, and don't hide anything from me." Jeremiah told Zedekiah, "When I tell you, you will surely put me to death, won't you? And when I give you advice, you don't listen to me." Then King Zedekiah, in secret, swore an oath to Jeremiah: "As surely as the LORD lives, who gave us this life to live, I won't have you put to death, nor will I hand you over to these men who are seeking to kill you." So Jeremiah told Zedekiah, "This is what the LORD God of the Heavenly Armies, the God of Israel, says: "If you will immediately surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, then you will live, and this city won't be burned with fire. Both you and your family will live. But if you don't surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, then this city will be given to the Chaldeans, and they'll burn it with fire. You won't escape from their hands.'" Then King Zedekiah told Jeremiah, "I'm afraid of the Judeans who have gone over to the Chaldeans. The Chaldeans may turn me over to them, and they may treat me harshly." Jeremiah said, "They won't turn you over. Obey the LORD in what I'm telling you, and it will go well for you and you will live. But if you refuse to surrender, this is what the LORD has shown me: Look, all the women who are left in the house of the king of Judah will be brought out to the officers of the king of Babylon, and will say, "These friends of yours have mislead you and overcome you. Your feet have sunk down into the mire, but they have turned away.' "They'll bring all your women and children out to the Chaldeans, and you won't escape from their hand. Indeed, you will be seized by the hand of the king of Babylon, and this city will be burned with fire." Then Zedekiah told Jeremiah, "Don't let anyone know about these words and you won't die. If the officials hear that I've spoken with you, and they come to you and say, "Tell us what you told the king, and what the king told you; don't hide it from us, and we won't put you to death,' then you are to say to them, "I was presenting my request to the king that I not be taken back to the house of Jonathan to die there.'" When all the officials came to Jeremiah and questioned him, he replied to them exactly as the king had ordered him. So they stopped speaking with him because the conversation had not been overheard. Jeremiah remained in the courtyard of the guard until the day Jerusalem was captured.

Prisoners » To be visited and ministered to

Matthew 25:35-46

because I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger, and you welcomed me. I was naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you took care of me. I was in prison, and you visited me.' "Then the righteous will say to him, "Lord, when did we see you hungry and give you something to eat, or thirsty and give you something to drink? read more.
When did we see you as a stranger and welcome you, or see you naked and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison, and visit you?' The king will answer them, "I tell all of you with certainty, since you did it for one of the least important of these brothers of mine, you did it for me.' "Then he will say to those on his left, "Get away from me, you who are accursed, into the eternal fire that has been prepared for the Devil and his angels! Here's why: I was hungry, and you gave me nothing to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me nothing to drink. I was a stranger, and you didn't welcome me. I was naked, and you didn't clothe me. I was sick and in prison, and you didn't visit me.' "Then they will reply, "Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or as a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and didn't help you?' Then he will say to them, "I tell all of you with certainty, since you didn't do it for one of the least important of these, you didn't do it for me.' These people will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life."

Prisoners » Guards responsible for

Acts 12:18-19

When morning came, there was a great commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter. Herod searched for him but didn't find him, so he questioned the guards and ordered them to be executed. Then he left Judea, went down to Caesarea, and stayed there for a while.

Prisoners » Silas

Acts 16:19-40

When her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone, they grabbed Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities who met together in the public square. They brought them before the magistrates and said, "These men are stirring up a lot of trouble in our city. They are Jews and are advocating customs that we're not allowed to accept or practice as Romans." read more.
The crowd joined in the attack against them. Then the magistrates had Paul and Silas stripped of their clothes and ordered them beaten with rods. After giving them a severe beating, they threw them in jail and ordered the jailer to keep them under tight security. Having received these orders, he put them into the inner cell and fastened their feet in leg irons. Around midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly, there was an earthquake so violent that the foundations of the prison were shaken. All the doors immediately flew open, and everyone's chains were unfastened. When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors wide open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, since he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted in a loud voice, "Don't hurt yourself, because we are all here!" The jailer asked for torches and rushed inside. Trembling as he knelt in front of Paul and Silas, he took them outside and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They answered, "Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you and your family will be saved." Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and everyone in his home. At that hour of the night, he took them and washed their wounds. Then he and his entire family were baptized immediately. He brought Paul and Silas upstairs into his house and set food before them. He was thrilled, as was his household, to believe in God. When day came, the magistrates sent guards, who commanded, "Release those men." The jailer reported these words to Paul, and added, "The magistrates have sent word to release you. So come out now and go in peace." But Paul told the guards, "The magistrates have had us beaten publicly without a trial and have thrown us into jail, even though we are Roman citizens. Now are they going to throw us out secretly? Certainly not! Have them come and escort us out." The guards reported these words to the magistrates, and they became afraid when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens. So the magistrates came, apologized to them, and escorted them out. Then they asked them to leave the city. Leaving the jail, Paul and Silas went to Lydia's house. They saw the brothers, encouraged them, and then left.

Prisoners » Of war » By divine command

Numbers 31:9

After this, the Israelis took captive the Midianite women and children and confiscated as spoils of war all their cattle, livestock, and their goods.

Numbers 31:17

You are to kill every male child and every woman who has had sexual relations with a man.

Prisoners » Apostles

Acts 5:17-42

Then the high priest and all those from the sect of the Sadducees who were with him were filled with jealousy. So they went out, arrested the apostles, and put them in the city jail. But at night the angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and led them out. The angel told them, read more.
"Go, stand in the Temple, and keep on telling the people the whole message about this life they can have." After the apostles heard this, they went into the Temple at daybreak and began to teach. The high priest and those who were with him arrived, called the Council and all the elders of Israel together, and sent word to the prison to have the men brought in. When the Temple police got there, they did not find them in the prison. They came back and reported, "We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside." When the commander of the Temple guards and the high priests heard these words, they were utterly at a loss as to what could have happened to them. Then someone came and told them, "Look! The men you put in prison are standing in the Temple and teaching the people!" So the commander of the Temple guards went with his men to bring them back without force, because they were afraid of being stoned to death by the people. When they brought them back, they made them stand before the Council, and the high priest began to question them. He said, "We gave you strict orders not to teach in his name, didn't we? Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to bring this man's blood on us!" But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men! The God of our ancestors raised Jesus to life after you killed him by hanging him on a tree. God has exalted to his right hand this very man as our Leader and Savior in order to extend repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who keep on obeying him." When the Council heard this, they became furious and wanted to kill them. But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law who was respected by all the people, stood up in the Council and ordered the men to be taken outside for a little while. Then he told them, "Fellow Israelis, consider carefully what you propose to do to these men. For in the recent past Theudas appeared, claiming that he was important, and about 400 men joined him. He was killed, and all his followers were dispersed and disappeared. After that man, at the time of the census, Judas the Galilean appeared and got people to follow him. He, too, died, and all his followers were scattered. "I'm telling you to keep away from these men for now. Leave them alone, because if this plan or movement is of human origin, it will fail. However, if it's from God, you won't be able to stop them, and you may even discover that you are fighting against God!" So they were convinced by him. After calling in the apostles and beating them, they again ordered them to stop speaking in the name of Jesus and let them go. They left the Council, rejoicing to have been considered worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the Name. Every day in the Temple and from house to house they kept teaching and proclaiming that Jesus is the Messiah.

Prisoners » Peter

Acts 12:3-19

When he saw how this was agreeable to the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter, too. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread. When he arrested Peter, Herod put him in prison and turned him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, planning to bring him out to the people after Passover season. So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer to God for him was being offered by the assembly. read more.
That very night, before Herod was going to bring him out, Peter, bound with two chains, was sleeping between two soldiers, and guards in front of the door were watching the prisoners. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on his side, woke him up, and said, "Get up quickly!" His chains fell from his wrists. Then the angel told him, "Tuck in your shirt and put on your sandals!" He did this. Then the angel told him, "Put on your coat and follow me!" So Peter went out and began to follow him, not realizing that what was being done by the angel was real; he thought he was seeing a vision. They passed the first guard, then the second, and came to the iron gate that led into the city. It opened by itself for them, and they went outside and proceeded one block when the angel suddenly left him. Then Peter came to himself and said, "Now I'm sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod and from everything the Jewish people were expecting!" When Peter realized what had happened, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was also called Mark, where a large number of people had gathered and were praying. When he knocked at the outer gate, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer it. On recognizing Peter's voice, she was so overjoyed that she didn't open the gate but ran back inside and announced that Peter was standing at the gate. The other people told her, "You're out of your mind!" But she kept insisting that it was so. Then they said, "It's his angel." Meanwhile, Peter kept on knocking and knocking. When they opened the gate, they saw him and were amazed. He motioned to them with his hand to be quiet, and then he told them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. He added, "Tell this to James and the brothers." Then he left and went somewhere else. When morning came, there was a great commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter. Herod searched for him but didn't find him, so he questioned the guards and ordered them to be executed. Then he left Judea, went down to Caesarea, and stayed there for a while.

Prisoners » Confined » In the house of the scribe

Jeremiah 37:15

The officials were angry with Jeremiah and beat him. They put him in jail in the house of Jonathan the scribe because they had made it into a prison.

Prisoners » Sustained on bread and water of affliction

1 Kings 22:27

Give him this order: "Place him in prison on survival rations of bread and water only until I come back safely.'"

Prisoners » Bound to soldiers

Acts 12:6-7

That very night, before Herod was going to bring him out, Peter, bound with two chains, was sleeping between two soldiers, and guards in front of the door were watching the prisoners. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on his side, woke him up, and said, "Get up quickly!" His chains fell from his wrists.

Prisoners » Kindness to » By the philippian jailer to paul

Acts 16:33

At that hour of the night, he took them and washed their wounds. Then he and his entire family were baptized immediately.

Prisoners » Kindness to » By felix

Acts 24:23

He ordered the centurion to guard Paul but to let him have some freedom and not to keep any of his friends from caring for his needs.

Prisoners » Confined » In the court of the palace

Jeremiah 32:2

The army of the king of Babylon was then besieging Jerusalem, and Jeremiah the prophet was confined in the courtyard of the guard at the palace of the king of Judah

Prisoners » Of war » Thumbs and toes cut off

Judges 1:6-7

Adoni-bezek ran off, but they pursued him, caught him, and amputated his thumbs and big toes. Adoni-bezek used to brag, "Seventy kings without thumbs and big toes used to eat what was left under my table. God has repaid me for what I've done." They brought him to Jerusalem, and he later died there.

Prisoners » Of war » Blinded

2 Kings 25:7

They executed Zedekiah's sons in his presence, blinded Zedekiah, bound him with bronze chains, and transported him to Babylon.

Prisoners » Tortured to extort self-incriminating testimony

Acts 22:24

the tribune ordered Paul to be taken into the barracks and told the soldiers to beat and question him in order to find out why the people were yelling at him like this.

Prisoners » Required to labor

Judges 16:21

Then the Philistines grabbed him, gouged out his eyes, brought him down to Gaza, tied him up in bronze chains, and made him grind grain in their prison.

Prisoners » Confined » In the house of the captain of the guard

Genesis 40:3

that he locked them up in the prison dungeon operated by the captain of the guard, the very place where Joseph was imprisoned.

Prisoners » In chains

Acts 12:6

That very night, before Herod was going to bring him out, Peter, bound with two chains, was sleeping between two soldiers, and guards in front of the door were watching the prisoners.

Topics on Prisoners

Never miss a post

Theasaurus: Prisoners

International Standard Version Copyright © 1996-2008 by the ISV Foundation.