34 Bible Verses about Prisoners

Most Relevant Verses

Matthew 27:16

At that time they had a notorious prisoner named Barabbas.

Mark 15:6-7

Now at the time of the feast it was customary to release to them a prisoner, whatever one they asked for. A man named Barabbas was there in prison, with some rioters who had committed murder during an uprising.

Luke 23:19

(This was a man who had been thrown in prison on account of a riot which had occurred in the city, and for murder.)

Matthew 4:12

Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee.

Mark 1:14

After John had been thrown into prison Jesus came into Galilee preaching the gospel of God.

Matthew 11:2

But when John heard, in the prison, what the Christ was doing, he sent by some of his disciples to ask him,

Matthew 14:3

For Herod had apprehended John, shackled him, and thrust him into prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife,

Mark 6:17

Now this Herod had sent and arrested John, and bound him in prison, for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, whom he had married.

Luke 3:20

added yet this above them all that he shut up John in prison.

Acts 8:3

But Saul was laying waste the church. He was wont to enter into every house, and to drag off men and women, and to commit them to prison.

Acts 9:21

His hearers were all astonished, and began to say. "Is not this the very man who in Jerusalem made havoc of those who called upon the Name? Did he not come hither for the express purpose of carrying them all in chains to the high priests?"

Acts 22:4

"I persecuted to the death this way, continually binding and delivering up to prisons both men and women.

Acts 26:10

"And this also I did in Jerusalem. Armed with authority from the chief priests, I shut up many of the saints in prison, and when they were condemned to death I gave my vote against them.

Acts 12:4

He had him arrested and thrown in prison, and put under guard of sixteen soldiers. He intended, after the Passover, to bring him forth to the people.

Acts 22:27

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

Acts 23:29

"Here I learned that he was accused about questions of their law, but was not charged with anything worthy of death or imprisonment.

Acts 28:17

Now three days later he called the leading Jews together, and when they were come together he said to them. "Brothers, I was delivered a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans, though I had done nothing against the people or the customs of your fathers.

2 Corinthians 11:23

Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as though I were beside myself), such, far, more, am I; in labors more abundant, in imprisonments also more abundant, in floggings beyond measure, in deaths often.

Ephesians 3:1

For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles??2 for surely you have heard of the stewardship of the grace of God entrusted to me for you?

Acts 16:23-24

had many lashes inflicted upon them, and put them in prison, with a charge to the jailer to keep them safe. On receiving so strict an order he cast them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.

Colossians 4:10

Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, salutes you, and Marcus, the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, make him welcome), and Jesus surnamed Justas.

Hebrews 11:36

Others again bore trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, even of chains and imprisonment.

Galatians 3:22-23

but the Scripture has shut up the whole world in prison together under sin, in order that the promise due to faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who have faith. Before the Faith came we were perpetual prisoners under the Law, in preparation for the destined faith about to be revealed.

Matthew 18:30

"But he would not; on the contrary he went and threw him into prison until he should pay the debt.

From Thematic Bible


Prisoners » Of war » Put to death

Prisoners » Jesus

Matthew 26:47-75

Barely had he spoken these words when Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared, accompanied by a great crowd of men with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now his betrayer had given them a sign, saying. "Whoever I kiss is the man; arrest him." So he came straight up to Jesus and said, "Hail, Rabbi!" and kissed him eagerly. read more.
"Friend, do that for which you came," said Jesus. Then they came forward and laid hands on Jesus, and arrested him. And, behold, one of these who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, and smote the slave of the high priest, and cut off his ear. Then Jesus said to him. "Put back your sword into its place! for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. "Do you not suppose that I am able to appeal to my Father to furnish me at this very moment with twelve legions of angels? "But if I did, how could the Scriptures be fulfilled that say that thus it must happen?" Then Jesus said to the crowds. "Are you come out as against a robber, with swords and staves to arrest me? Day after day, I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not apprehend me. "But all this has happened in order that the Scriptures might be fulfilled." Then all his disciples forsook him and fled; but those who had apprehended Jesus led him away to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had assembled. Now Peter was following him, afar off, as far as the courtyard of the high priest; and when he got in, he was sitting with the officers, to see the end. And the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were trying to get false evidence against Jesus, in order that they might have him executed; but they found none, although many false witnesses came forward. However, at last two came forward who said, "This fellow declared, 'I can destroy the Temple of God and build it in three days.'" Rising to his feet the high priest asked Jesus. "Do you make no answer? What is it that these are testifying against you?" But Jesus kept silence. Again the high priest addressed him, "I adjure you by the Living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God!" "I am He," Jesus answered; "yet I tell you that from this time on you will see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming upon the clouds of heaven." Then the high priest tore his garments, saying. "He has spoken blasphemy! What further need have we of witnesses? For behold, now you have heard his blasphemy! "What is your verdict?" "He ought to die," they answered. Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and some struck him with the palms of their hands, and cried. "Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it who struck you?" Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, and one of the maidservants came up to him and said, "You also were with Jesus, the Galilean!" But he denied it before them all; "I do not know what you mean," he said. Soon afterward he went out into the porch, and another maid saw him, and said to those who were there, "This fellow certainly was with Jesus, the Nazarene!" And again he denied it with an oath, saying, "I never knew the man." A little later the bystanders came up and said to Peter, "You also are certainly one of them, for your speech betrays you." Then he began to curse and swear, saying, "I never knew the man." Immediately the cock crew! Then Peter recalled the word that Jesus had spoken, "Before the cock crow, you shall three times deny me"??nd he went out and broke out into bitter weeping.

Mark 14:43-72

At that instant, while he was yet speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, came up, and with him a mob armed with swords and clubs, sent by the high priests and Scribes and elders. Now the betrayer had given them a sign. "The one I kiss," he said, "is the man. Arrest him, and take him away safely." So he came and going straight up to Jesus he said: read more.
"Rabbi," and kissed him. Then they laid hands on him and took him. But one of the bystanders drew his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest, and cut off his ear. But Jesus interposed, saying. "Are you come out to arrest me with swords and clubs, as if I were a robber? Day after day I was face to face with you in the Temple courts, teaching, and you did not seize me. But this is done that the Scriptures might be fulfilled." Then they all forsook him and fled. One young man, however, began following him, with only a linen sheet thrown round his naked body. They seized him, but he left the linen sheet and fled away naked. Then they took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests and elders and Scribes came with him. Peter also had followed Jesus at a distance, until he was inside the court of the high priest. There he was sitting among the officers, warming himself in the light of the fire. Meanwhile the high priests and all of the Sanhedrin were trying to get evidence against Jesus, so as to have him put to death, but they found none; for though many gave false witness against him, their testimony did not agree. Some came forward and swore falsely, saying, "We heard him say, 'I will tear down this temple made by hands, and in three days I will build another temple not made by hands.'" But even their evidence did not agree. Then the high priest rose and stood forth among them. "Have you no answer to make?" he asked Jesus; "What is it that these testify against you?" But he remained silent, and answered nothing. Again the high priest questioned him. "Are you the Christ," he said, "the Son of the Blessed?" "I am," Jesus answered, "and you all shall see the Son of man seated on the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven." Then the high priest tore his vestments. "Why do we need any further witness?" he exclaimed. "Did you hear his blasphemy? What is your verdict?" Then they all condemn him to be worthy of death. Some began to spit on him, and to blindfold him while striking him and saying, "Prophesy." The officers, too, received him into custody with blows. Now while Peter was below in the courtyard, there came one of the maid servants of the high priest, and saw Peter warming himself. She looked at him, and said, "You too were with the Nazarene, Jesus." But he denied it. He said: "I don't know, I don't understand what you are saying." Then he went out into the porch, and the cock crew. Again the maid servant saw him, and began again to tell the bystanders, "He is one of them." A second time he continued to deny it. After a little the by-standers began to say to Peter again, "Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean." But he began with curses an solemn oaths to say, "I do not know the man you are talking about." At that instant for the second time a cock crew. Then Peter recalled the word which Jesus had spoken to him, "Before the cock crows twice you will disown me thrice." And as he thought of it, he began to weep aloud.

Luke 22:47-71

While he was still speaking there came a crowd, and he who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He came near to Jesus in order to kiss him, but Jesus said to him, "Judas, you are betraying the Son of man with a kiss?" Those who were around him, when they saw what was about to happen, said to him, "Lord, shall we strike with our swords?" read more.
Then one of them did strike a blow at the high priest's slave, and cut off his right ear. "Permit me to do this at least," said Jesus, as he touched his ear and healed him. Then Jesus said to the corps of priests and captains of the temple and elders who had come out to arrest him. "Have ye come for me with swords and clubs to arrest me like a robber? "When daily I was with you in the temple you did not stretch out your hands to take me; but this is your hour and the power of darkness." So they seized him and led him away, and took him to the house of the high priest; while Peter was following him a long way off. And when they had lighted a fire in the center of the court, and had sat down together, Peter was taking his seat among them. But a certain maid servant saw him taking his seat near the fire and, with a sharp glance at him, she said, "This fellow was with him, too!" But he denied it, saying, "Woman, I know nothing about him." A little later a man saw him, and said, "You too are one of them" But Peter declared, "Man, I am not." But an hour afterwards another man kept insisting, saying. "Really, this fellow was with him. Why, he is a Galilean." "Man," said Peter, "I do not know what you mean." And immediately, while he was still speaking, the cock crew. Then the Lord turned and looked at Peter, and Peter recollected the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, "This very day, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times." And Peter went outside and wept with bitter crying. Meanwhile the men who were holding Jesus in custody kept mocking and striking him. They would blindfold him and ask him. "Prophesy! Tell who struck you!" And they said many other insulting things against him. When it became the day the elders if the people met with the high priests and the Scribes and had brought before the Sanhedrin, saying. "Are you the Christ? Tell us!" "If I tell you," he answered, "you will not believe; "And if I ask you, you will not answer. "But from henceforth the Son of man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God." Then they all said, "Are you then the Son of God." "What need we of further evidence? for we ourselves have heard it from his own lips."

John 18:3-40

So after getting troops and some Temple police from the chief priests and Pharisees, Judas came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all that was coming upon him, went forth to meet them, and asked them, "Who is it that you are looking for?" "For Jesus of Nazareth," they answered. He said to them, "I am he." (Now Judas also, the betrayer, was standing with them.) read more.
When Jesus said "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground; so he asked them once more, "Whom are you looking for?" and they replied, "Jesus of Nazareth." "I have already told you that I am he," said Jesus. "If, then, you are looking for me, let these go their way." (In order that the word which he had spoken might be fulfilled, "Of those whom thou hast given me I have not lost one.") Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, and striking at the high priest's slave, cut off his right ear. (The slave's name was Malchus.) Then Jesus said to Peter. "Put up your sword in its sheath. the cup which my Father has given me, shall I not drink it?" So the troops and their commandant and the Jewish police took Jesus, and bound him, and led him to Annas first. (For Annas was the Father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was the high priest that year??14 the Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it was for their advantage that one man should die for the people.) Meanwhile Simon Peter was following Jesus, and so was another disciple who was known to the high priest, and they went in with Jesus into the court of the high priest's palace. But Peter took his stand outside, near the door. So the other disciple who was known to the high priest came out and spoke to the doorkeeper and brought Peter in. The doorkeeper (a maid servant) then said to Peter, "Are not you also one of this man's disciples?" "No I am not," he answered. Now the slaves and the attendants were standing and warming themselves about a charcoal fire, which they had made because it was cold; and Peter also stood with them, and was warming himself. Then the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching. Jesus answered him. "I have spoken to all the world openly. I always taught in a synagogue and in the temple, places where all the Jews are wont to assemble, and in secret I have spoken nothing. "Why do you question me? Ask those who heard what I have said to them; these witnesses here know what I said." When he had spoken these words, one of the police standing by gave him a blow with his hand, saying as he did so, "Is that the way you answer the high priest?" Jesus replied "If I have said anything wrong, give evidence concerning the wrong; but if I said what was true, why do you strike me?" Then Annas sent him in chains to Caiaphas, the high priest. Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They said therefore to him, "You are not also one of his disciples, are you not?" He denied it, saying "I am not." One of the slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, said, "Did not I myself see you with him in the garden." Peter again denied it; and at that very moment a cock crew. From the house of Caiaphas they took Jesus to the Praetorium, and it was dawn. They themselves would not enter the Praetorium, in order that they might not be ceremonially defiled, but might be able to eat the Passover. So Pilate came outside to them and asked, "What charge do you bring against this man?" In reply they said, "If he had not been a criminal, we should not have handed him over you." "Take him yourselves," answered Pilate, "and judge him according to your law." The Jews answered him, "We are not allowed to put anyone to death" (that the word of Jesus might be fulfilled in which he predicted the kind of death he was to die). So Pilate went into the Praetorium again, and summoned Jesus. "Are you the King of the Jews?" he said. Jesus answered, "Are you saying this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?" "I am not a Jew, am I?" replied Pilate; "It is your own nation and the high priests who have handed you over to me. What have you done?" Jesus answered him. "My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants have fought hard that I should not be handed the Jews; but in reality my kingdom is not of such origins." "You are a king, then? You!" said Pilate. "You say truly that I am a king." answered Jesus, "for this purpose I was born, and to this end came I into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Every man who is of the truth listens to my voice." Pilate said to him, "What is truth?" As he said this, he went outside again to the Jews and said to them. "I find no crime in this man. Now it is a custom of yours that I release one prisoner to you at the time of the Passover feast. Do you wish me to release to you the King of the Jews?" Then they all shouted again. "No, not him! Barabbas!" Now Barabbas was a robber.

Prisoners » Scourged

Acts 16:23

had many lashes inflicted upon them, and put them in prison, with a charge to the jailer to keep them safe.

Acts 16:33

And he took them, the same hour of the night, and washed their wounds, and he was baptized at once, he and all his.

Mark 15:15

So Pilate, who wished to make himself strong with the crowd, released Barabbas to them, and gave Jesus over for crucifixion, after he had scourged him.

More verses: 2 Corinthians 11:23-24

Prisoners » Paul

Acts 16:19-40

But when her owners saw that their hopes of gain were gone, they seized Paul and Silas, and dragged them before the magistrates, into the market-place. Then they brought them before the praetors, saying. "These fellows are Jews, who are making a great disturbance in our city. "They are teaching customs which it is not lawful for us as Romans to adopt or practise." read more.
The crowd, too, rose up together against them, and the praetors, after having them stripped, and after ordering them to be flogged, had many lashes inflicted upon them, and put them in prison, with a charge to the jailer to keep them safe. On receiving so strict an order he cast them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. But at midnight, while Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the very foundations of the prison-house were shaken; and instantly all the doors were opened, and every one's chains fell off. The jailer, roused from sleep, and seeing the doors wide open, drew his sword and was about to kill himself, because he thought that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted loudly to him. "Do yourself no harm; for we are all here!" So he called for lights, and sprang in, and, trembling for fear, fell down before Paul and Silas, and brought them out, saying, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" "Believe on the Lord Jesus," they answered, "and you will be saved, you and all your household." Then they spoke the message of the Lord to him, as well as to all who were in his house. And he took them, the same hour of the night, and washed their wounds, and he was baptized at once, he and all his. And after bringing them up into his house, he set food before them, overjoyed with all his household in having believed in God. But in the morning the praetors sent their lictors with the order, "Let these men go." The jailer reported the words to Paul, saying. "The praetors have sent to release you; so come out, and go in peace." But Paul said: "They have flogged us publicly, uncondemned, men that are Roman citizens; and have thrown us into prison. Are they now going to get rid of us secretly? No, indeed! Let them come here, themselves and take us out." The lictors reported these words to the praetors, who were frightened when they heard that they were Romans. So they came and conciliated them, and after taking them out of prison, begged them to leave the town. So Paul and Silas came out of the prison, and went to Lydia's house; and after they had seen the brethren and encouraged them, they left Philippi.

Acts 21:27-40

But when the seven days were almost over, the Asiatic Jews caught sight of him in the temple, and began to stir up all the crowd, and laid hands on him, shouting. "Men of Israel, help! This is the man who goes everywhere preaching to everybody against the people, and the Law, and this place. And he has actually brought Gentiles even into the temple, and has desecrated the holy place." (For they had formerly seen Trophimus, the Ephesian, with him in the city, and supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.) read more.
The whole city was thrown into uproar. The mob surged together, seized Paul, and began to drag him outside the temple. Whereupon the doors were at once shut. While they were attempting to kill him, news came to the tribune commander of the garrison that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. At once he took soldiers and centurions, and rushed down upon them. When they saw the tribune and the troops, they left off beating Paul. Then the tribune came up and seized him, and ordered that he be bound with two chains. "Who is he?" he began asking, "and what has he done?" Some among the crowd kept shouting one thing, some another; and when the tribune could not learn the facts because of the uproar, he ordered Paul into the barracks. When was going up the steps, he had to be carried by the soldiers, because of the violence of the mob, for the whole mass of the people were following him, shouting, "Away with him!" Just as he was about to be taken into the barracks, Paul said to the tribune, "May I speak to you?" "Do you know Greek?" said the tribune; "Are you not, then, the Egyptian who in days gone by stirred up to sedition, and let into the wilderness the four thousand cutthroats?" "I am a Jew," answered Paul, "a native of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city. And I pray you, give me permission to speak to the people." So when he had given leave, Paul stood on the stairs, beckoning with his hands to the people. There came a great hush, and he spoke to them as follows, in Hebrew.

Prisoners » Released at feasts

Mark 15:6

Now at the time of the feast it was customary to release to them a prisoner, whatever one they asked for.

Luke 23:17

"Now he had to release to them at the feast one prisoner."

John 18:39

"I find no crime in this man. Now it is a custom of yours that I release one prisoner to you at the time of the Passover feast. Do you wish me to release to you the King of the Jews?"

Matthew 27:15-17

Now it was the Governor's custom, during the Passover, to release to the people any one prisoner whom they selected. At that time they had a notorious prisoner named Barabbas. So when they had assembled, Pilate said to them, "Whom do you want me to release to you, Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?"

Prisoners » John the baptist

Matthew 11:2

But when John heard, in the prison, what the Christ was doing, he sent by some of his disciples to ask him,

Mark 6:17

Now this Herod had sent and arrested John, and bound him in prison, for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, whom he had married.

Matthew 14:3-12

For Herod had apprehended John, shackled him, and thrust him into prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because John kept telling him, "It is not right for you to have her." And although he wished to kill John, he feared the people, for they considered John a prophet. read more.
But when Herod's birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company, and so pleased Herod that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked for. So, prompted by her mother, the girl said, "Give me at once, upon a dish, the head of John the Baptist." The king was displeased because of this, but because of his oaths and his guests he ordered it to be given her. He sent and beheaded John in prison; the head was brought on a dish, and given to the young girl, who took it to her mother. Then John's disciples went and removed his body, and came and told Jesus.

Luke 3:20

added yet this above them all that he shut up John in prison.

Prisoners » Of war » Consolations for

Prisoners » Permitted to make defense

Acts 26:1

Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You are permitted to speak for yourself." So Paul stretched forth his hand and began to make his defense.

2 Timothy 4:16

At the time of my first defense no one stood by me; on the contrary they all deserted me??ay it not be laid to their charge!

Acts 25:16

I told them that it was not the custom of the Romans to give any man up for punishment, before the accused had his accusers face to face, and had opportunity of defending himself against the charges that had been brought against him.

Acts 24:10

Then at a nod from the governor, Paul spoke. "Because I know that for many years you have been a judge in this nation, I feel encouraged to make my defense.

Acts 25:8

Paul said in his defense, "I have committed no crime against the Law of the Jews, against the Temple, or against Caesar."

Prisoners » In stocks

Acts 16:24

On receiving so strict an order he cast them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.

Prisoners » Joseph

Prisoners » Kindness to » By julius, the centurion

Acts 27:1

When it was decided that we should sail for Italy, they proceeded to hand over Paul and a few other prisoners to the custody of Julius, a centurion of the Imperial Regiment.

Acts 28:16

When we finally entered Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself with the soldier to guard him.

Acts 27:3

The next day we touched at Sidon. There Julius treated Paul kindly, and gave him leave to visit his friends and refresh himself.

Acts 28:30-31

After this Paul lived for two whole years in his own rented house, and used to receive all who came to see him. He continued to preach the kingdom of God, and to teach about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, quite unmolested.

Prisoners » Cruelty to

Prisoners » Jeremiah

Prisoners » Visited by friends

Acts 24:23

And he gave orders to the centurion that Paul should be kept in custody, but treated with indulgence, and that his personal friends were not to be forbidden to minister to him.

Matthew 11:2

But when John heard, in the prison, what the Christ was doing, he sent by some of his disciples to ask him,

Prisoners » Figurative

Prisoners » Severe hardships of, mitigated

Prisoners » Kindness to » By the prison guard to jeremiah

Prisoners » To be visited and ministered to

Matthew 25:35-46

"'For I was hungry, and you gave me food; I was thirsty, and you gave me drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in; "'I was naked, and you clothed me; I was sick, and you visited me; I was in prison, and you came to see me.' "Then shall the righteous answer him, saying. 'Master, when did we see you hungry and feed you; or thirsty and give you drink? read more.
"'When did we see you a stranger and take you in; or naked and clothe you? "'When did we see you sick or in prison, and come to see you?' "'In solemn truth I tell you,' the King will answer them, 'that inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these, my brothers, you have done it unto me.' "Then he will say to those also at his left hand. 'Depart from me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; "for I was hungry, and you gave me no food; I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink; "I was a stranger, and you took me not in; naked, and you clothed me not; sick, or in prison, and you visited me not.' "Then will they also answer, 'Master, when did we ever see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister to you?' "But he will reply, 'In solemn truth I tell you that inasmuch as you did not do it unto one of these least, you did not do it unto me.' "And these will go away into eternal punishment; but the righteous into eternal life."

Prisoners » Guards responsible for

Acts 12:18-19

When morning came there was no small stir among the soldiers as to what could possibly have become of Peter. Then Herod had search made for him, and could not find him. After sharply questioning the guards, he ordered them off to execution. He then went down from Judea to Caesarea, where he stayed for some time.

Prisoners » Silas

Acts 16:19-40

But when her owners saw that their hopes of gain were gone, they seized Paul and Silas, and dragged them before the magistrates, into the market-place. Then they brought them before the praetors, saying. "These fellows are Jews, who are making a great disturbance in our city. "They are teaching customs which it is not lawful for us as Romans to adopt or practise." read more.
The crowd, too, rose up together against them, and the praetors, after having them stripped, and after ordering them to be flogged, had many lashes inflicted upon them, and put them in prison, with a charge to the jailer to keep them safe. On receiving so strict an order he cast them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. But at midnight, while Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the very foundations of the prison-house were shaken; and instantly all the doors were opened, and every one's chains fell off. The jailer, roused from sleep, and seeing the doors wide open, drew his sword and was about to kill himself, because he thought that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted loudly to him. "Do yourself no harm; for we are all here!" So he called for lights, and sprang in, and, trembling for fear, fell down before Paul and Silas, and brought them out, saying, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" "Believe on the Lord Jesus," they answered, "and you will be saved, you and all your household." Then they spoke the message of the Lord to him, as well as to all who were in his house. And he took them, the same hour of the night, and washed their wounds, and he was baptized at once, he and all his. And after bringing them up into his house, he set food before them, overjoyed with all his household in having believed in God. But in the morning the praetors sent their lictors with the order, "Let these men go." The jailer reported the words to Paul, saying. "The praetors have sent to release you; so come out, and go in peace." But Paul said: "They have flogged us publicly, uncondemned, men that are Roman citizens; and have thrown us into prison. Are they now going to get rid of us secretly? No, indeed! Let them come here, themselves and take us out." The lictors reported these words to the praetors, who were frightened when they heard that they were Romans. So they came and conciliated them, and after taking them out of prison, begged them to leave the town. So Paul and Silas came out of the prison, and went to Lydia's house; and after they had seen the brethren and encouraged them, they left Philippi.

Prisoners » Of war » By divine command

Prisoners » Apostles

Acts 5:17-42

This aroused bitter indignation among the high priest and his followers who were of the sect of the Sadducees, and they apprehended the apostles, and threw them into the public prison. But an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors during the night, and let them out. read more.
He said to them, "Go take your stand in the Temple, and continue to tell the people all the words of this Life." When they heard this they went at early dawn to the Temple, and began to teach. Meantime when the high priest and his followers arrived, they summoned the Sanhedrin and all the Council of the Elders of the sons of Israel, and sent to the prison to fetch the apostles. But the officers who went did not find them in the prison; so they came back and reported, "The prison we found locked fast, with the guards stationed at the doors, but when they were opened we found no one inside." When the officer in charge of the Temple and the high priest heard these words, they were perplexed concerning them, wondering what would come of it. And some one came and told them that the very men whom they had put in prison were standing in the Temple, and teaching to the people. On this the officer went off with his men and fetched them, not, however, by force, for they were afraid that the people would stone them. So they brought them, and stood them before the Sanhedrin. Then the high priest questioned them. "We strictly forbade you, did we not, to teach about this Name, and here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us." But Peter and the apostles said in reply. "We must obey God rather than man. The God of our fathers has raised up Jesus, whom you slew by hanging him on a tree. "Him God has exalted at his right hand as Prince and Saviour, to give Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. "And we are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him." When they heard this they were infuriated, and were minded to kill the apostles; but Gamaliel, a Pharisee, a teacher of the law, and held in honor by all the people, rose from his seat, and ordered the apostles to be put outside for a little while. He said: "Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. "Years ago Theudas arose, claiming to be somebody, and was joined by about four hundred men. He was killed, and all of his followers dispersed and annihilated. "After him Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the enrollment, and drew away some of the people after him. He also perished, and all his followers were scattered. "And now, I say to you, hold aloof from these men. Let them alone; for if this scheme or work be of human origin it will come to nothing; "but if it is from God, you cannot put it down; you may even find yourselves fighting against God." They gave in to him; and called the apostles in, and after flogging them, released them, with instructions not to speak about the name of Jesus. So they left Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been deemed worthy to suffer disgrace for the sake of the Name; but not for a single day did they desist from teaching and preaching in the Temple, and in private houses, the Gospel of Jesus, the Messiah.

Prisoners » Peter

Acts 12:3-19

And when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. (This was during the days of unleavened bread.) He had him arrested and thrown in prison, and put under guard of sixteen soldiers. He intended, after the Passover, to bring him forth to the people. So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer to God was made by the church for him. read more.
Now when Herod was about to bring him forth, on that very night, while Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison, suddenly an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the cell. Striking Peter on the side, he woke him saying, "Rise up quickly." At once the chains dropped from his hands. "Gird yourself," said the angel, "and put on your sandals." He did so. Then he said unto him, "Throw your cloak about you, and follow me." So Peter went out, following him, but did not realize that what the angel was doing was real, but supposed that he was seeing a vision. And when they had passed the first guard and the second, they came to the iron gate that led to the city. This opened to them of its own accord; and they went out passed on through one street; and suddenly the angel left him. Peter, coming to himself, said, "Now I know for a certainty that the Lord has sent his angel and released me from the hand of Herod, and from all that the Jewish people were anticipating." So, after he had thought things over, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John, surnamed Mark, where a large number of people were assembled, praying. When he knocked at the door of the gate, a maid servant named Rhoda came to answer. And when she recognized Peter's voice, for very joy she did not open the door, but ran in and told them that Peter was standing in front of the gate. "You are mad," they said. But she confidently insisted that it was so. "It is his angel," they said. Meanwhile Peter continued to knock, until at last they opened the door, and were amazed to see that it was really he. He motioned to them to keep quiet, and told them how the Lord had brought him out of prison. "Tell all this to James," he said, "and to the brothers," and away he went to another place. When morning came there was no small stir among the soldiers as to what could possibly have become of Peter. Then Herod had search made for him, and could not find him. After sharply questioning the guards, he ordered them off to execution. He then went down from Judea to Caesarea, where he stayed for some time.

Prisoners » Confined » In the house of the scribe

Prisoners » Sustained on bread and water of affliction

Prisoners » Bound to soldiers

Acts 12:6-7

Now when Herod was about to bring him forth, on that very night, while Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison, suddenly an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the cell. Striking Peter on the side, he woke him saying, "Rise up quickly." At once the chains dropped from his hands.

Prisoners » Kindness to » By the philippian jailer to paul

Acts 16:33

And he took them, the same hour of the night, and washed their wounds, and he was baptized at once, he and all his.

Prisoners » Kindness to » By felix

Acts 24:23

And he gave orders to the centurion that Paul should be kept in custody, but treated with indulgence, and that his personal friends were not to be forbidden to minister to him.

Prisoners » Confined » In the court of the palace

Prisoners » Of war » Thumbs and toes cut off

Prisoners » Of war » Blinded

Prisoners » Tortured to extort self-incriminating testimony

Acts 22:24

the tribune ordered him to be brought into the barracks, and examined under the lash, to learn for what reason the people were thus crying out against him.

Prisoners » Required to labor

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

Prisoners » In chains

Acts 12:6

Now when Herod was about to bring him forth, on that very night, while Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison,

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Christians Are Called Prisoners Of Christ

Ephesians 3:1

For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles??2 for surely you have heard of the stewardship of the grace of God entrusted to me for you?

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