Imprisonment, as depicted in the Bible, serves as both a literal and metaphorical experience, reflecting the trials and tribulations faced by God's people. Throughout the Scriptures, imprisonment is often portrayed as a test of faith, a consequence of righteousness, or a result of divine providence.

Old Testament Instances

In the Old Testament, imprisonment is not as frequently mentioned as in the New Testament, but it still plays a significant role in the narratives of key figures. One of the earliest examples is Joseph, who was unjustly imprisoned in Egypt. After being falsely accused by Potiphar's wife, Joseph was cast into prison, yet "the LORD was with Joseph and extended kindness to him, granting him favor in the eyes of the prison warden" (Genesis 39:21). Joseph's time in prison ultimately led to his rise to power, demonstrating God's sovereignty and the fulfillment of His purposes.

Another notable instance is the prophet Jeremiah, who was imprisoned multiple times for delivering God's messages to the people of Judah. In Jeremiah 37:15-16 , it is recorded that "the officials were angry with Jeremiah, and they beat him and put him in jail in the house of Jonathan the scribe, for it had been made into a prison." Jeremiah's imprisonments highlight the persecution faced by prophets and the resistance to God's word.

New Testament Instances

The New Testament provides numerous accounts of imprisonment, particularly in the context of the early Christian church. The apostles and early Christians often faced imprisonment as a result of their preaching and teaching about Jesus Christ.

One of the most significant figures associated with imprisonment is the Apostle Paul. Paul experienced multiple imprisonments throughout his ministry, which he often referenced in his epistles. In 2 Corinthians 11:23 , Paul recounts his hardships, stating, "Are they servants of Christ? I am speaking like I am out of my mind, but I am so much more: in harder labor, in more imprisonments, in worse beatings, in frequent danger of death." His imprisonments served as a testament to his unwavering commitment to the Gospel and his willingness to suffer for Christ.

The Book of Acts records several instances of imprisonment, including the miraculous release of Peter from prison. In Acts 12:5-7 , it is written, "So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was fervently praying to God for him. On the night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, with sentries standing guard at the entrance to the prison. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared, and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him up, saying, 'Get up quickly!' And the chains fell off his wrists." This account emphasizes the power of prayer and divine intervention.

Theological Implications

Imprisonment in the Bible often symbolizes spiritual bondage and the trials believers face in a fallen world. It serves as a reminder of the cost of discipleship and the reality of persecution for those who follow Christ. However, it also underscores the hope and deliverance that God provides. The experiences of biblical figures in prison illustrate that God's presence and purpose prevail, even in the darkest circumstances.

The theme of imprisonment also points to the ultimate liberation found in Christ. As Jesus declared in Luke 4:18 , quoting Isaiah, "The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed." This proclamation highlights the spiritual freedom and redemption available through faith in Jesus Christ.5438. phulake -- a guarding, guard, watch
... Word Origin from phulasso Definition a guarding, guard, watch NASB Word Usage guard
(1), imprisonment (1), imprisonments (2), prison (34), prisons (3), time of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5438.htm - 7k

I Will Touch Upon the Other Points, and Set Down the Actual Words ...
... "Although my faith was proved, at the time of the persecution by the heretics, when
I was living in the holy church of Alexandria, by imprisonments and exiles ...
/.../3 i will touch upon.htm

First Sunday in Lent
... commending ourselves, as ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in
necessities, in distresses, 5 in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/first sunday in lent.htm

Hebrews xi. 37, 38
... and hearing him say, "In much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in persecutions,
[3350] in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments." ( 2 Corinthians 6 ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxviii hebrews xi 37.htm

The Epistle of the Same Phileas of Thmuis to Meletius, Bishop of ...
... bishop and father, [1330] Peter, [1331] on whom we all depend in the hope which
we have in the Lord Jesus Christ, nor softened by our imprisonments and trials ...
/.../phileas/the writings of phileas/the epistle of the same.htm

A Continuation of Mr Bunyan's Life; Beginning Where He Left Off ...
... comforts, and deliverances he found, how he came to take upon him the preaching
of the Gospel; the slanders, reproaches and imprisonments that attended him ...
/.../bunyan/grace abounding to the chief of sinners/a continuation of mr bunyans.htm

Introduction
... them, and soon became a public advocate in what he believed to be the cause of truth;
cheerfully submitting to the indignities and imprisonments which were ...
/.../introduction.htm

The First victory for Dissent
... tongue and pen. Fines and imprisonments began in earnest and were continued,
more or less frequently, for many years. Even as late ...
/.../chapter viii the first victory.htm

Jeremiah, a Lesson for the Disappointed.
... temple and the altar[3]." But of all the persecuted prophets Jeremiah is the most
eminent; ie we know more of his history, of his imprisonments, his wanderings ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon ix jeremiah a lesson.htm

Pastoral and Personal
... Emperor Nero. It was during this period between the first and second
imprisonments that First Timothy and Titus were written. Second ...
/.../sell/bible studies in the life of paul/study x pastoral and personal.htm

A Continuation of Mr. Bunyan's Life, Beginning Where He Left Off ...
... comforts, and deliverances he found; how he came to take upon him the preaching
of the gospel; the slanders, reproaches, and imprisonments that attended him ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a continuation of mr bunyans.htm

Imprisonments (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Imprisonments (2 Occurrences). 2 Corinthians
6:5 in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in labors, in ...
/i/imprisonments.htm - 7k

Imprisonment (15 Occurrences)

/i/imprisonment.htm - 11k

Nights (27 Occurrences)
... Olives; (YLT). 2 Corinthians 6:5 in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in
labors, in watchings, in fastings; (See NIV). 2 Corinthians ...
/n/nights.htm - 14k

James (40 Occurrences)
... time of the writing of the epistle were Jerusalem, where James was residing, and,
from internal evidence, the period between Paul's two imprisonments at Rome ...
/j/james.htm - 78k

Labors (27 Occurrences)
... (WEB NAS NIV). 2 Corinthians 6:5 in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots,
in labors, in watchings, in fastings; (WEB ASV WBS NAS RSV). ...
/l/labors.htm - 14k

Labours (19 Occurrences)
... WEY). 2 Corinthians 6:5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours,
in watchings, in fastings; (KJV DBY YLT). 2 Corinthians ...
/l/labours.htm - 12k

Watchings (3 Occurrences)
... Watchings (3 Occurrences). 2 Corinthians 6:5 in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots,
in labors, in watchings, in fastings; (WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT). ...
/w/watchings.htm - 7k

Insurrections (2 Occurrences)
... Nazarenes. (WEB ASV). 2 Corinthians 6:5 in stripes, in imprisonments, in
insurrections, in labours, in watchings, in fastings, (YLT). ...
/i/insurrections.htm - 7k

Imprisons (2 Occurrences)

/i/imprisons.htm - 6k

Facing (79 Occurrences)
... (WEY NAS NIV). 2 Corinthians 6:5 by floggings, by imprisonments; by facing riots,
by toil, by sleepless watching, by hunger and thirst; (WEY). ...
/f/facing.htm - 31k

Who is Drusilla in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What were the different missionary journeys of Paul? | GotQuestions.org

What happened on Paul's fourth missionary journey? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus