Prisons in biblical times were often places of confinement and punishment, used to detain individuals accused or convicted of crimes. The concept of imprisonment is mentioned throughout the Bible, reflecting both physical and spiritual dimensions.

Old Testament References:

1. Joseph's Imprisonment: Joseph, the son of Jacob, was unjustly imprisoned in Egypt after being falsely accused by Potiphar's wife. Despite his circumstances, God was with Joseph, granting him favor and wisdom. Genesis 39:20-21 states, "So Joseph’s master took him and had him thrown into the prison where the king’s prisoners were confined. But while Joseph was there in the prison, the LORD was with him and extended kindness to him, granting him favor in the eyes of the prison warden."

2. Jeremiah's Imprisonment: The prophet Jeremiah was imprisoned for prophesying against Jerusalem. His experiences highlight the persecution faced by those who speak God's truth. Jeremiah 37:15-16 records, "The officials were angry with Jeremiah and had him beaten and imprisoned in the house of Jonathan the scribe, for it had been made into a prison. So Jeremiah went into a cell in the dungeon and remained there a long time."

New Testament References:

1. John the Baptist: John was imprisoned by Herod Antipas for condemning Herod's unlawful marriage. His imprisonment ultimately led to his martyrdom. Matthew 4:12 notes, "When Jesus heard that John had been imprisoned, He withdrew to Galilee."

2. Peter and John: The apostles Peter and John were imprisoned for preaching the gospel. Acts 4:3 states, "They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in custody until the next day."

3. Paul and Silas: Paul and Silas were imprisoned in Philippi for casting out a spirit from a slave girl. Their response to imprisonment was one of faith and worship, leading to a miraculous release. Acts 16:25-26 describes, "About midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly a strong earthquake shook the foundations of the prison. At once all the doors flew open and everyone’s chains came loose."

Spiritual Implications:

1. Freedom in Christ: The Bible often contrasts physical imprisonment with spiritual freedom. Jesus proclaimed His mission to set captives free, as seen in Luke 4:18 : "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."

2. Persecution and Suffering: Imprisonment is frequently associated with the persecution of believers. The early church faced imprisonment as a common consequence of their faithfulness to Christ. Hebrews 13:3 exhorts believers, "Remember those in prison as if you were bound with them, and those who are mistreated as if you were suffering with them."

3. Hope and Deliverance: The Bible assures believers of God's presence and deliverance, even in the darkest circumstances. Psalm 146:7 declares, "He executes justice for the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets the prisoners free."

Prisons serve as a backdrop for demonstrating God's power, faithfulness, and the transformative impact of the gospel. Through the experiences of biblical figures, believers are encouraged to trust in God's sovereignty and to remain steadfast in faith, regardless of earthly trials.Genesis 39:20
And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison.
Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 42:16-19
Send one of you, and let him fetch your brother, and you shall be kept in prison, that your words may be proved, whether there be any truth in you: or else by the life of Pharaoh surely you are spies.
Nave's Topical Index

Leviticus 24:12
And they put him in ward, that the mind of the LORD might be showed them.
Nave's Topical Index

Numbers 15:34
And they put him in ward, because it was not declared what should be done to him.
Nave's Topical Index

Ezra 7:26
And whoever will not do the law of your God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily on him, whether it be to death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.
Nave's Topical Index

Jeremiah 52:11
Then he put out the eyes of Zedekiah; and the king of Babylon bound him in chains, and carried him to Babylon, and put him in prison till the day of his death.
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Luke 23:19
(Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.)
Nave's Topical Index

Acts 4:3
And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold to the next day: for it was now eventide.
Nave's Topical Index

Acts 12:4,5
And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.
Nave's Topical Index

Concerning the Scriptures.
... than in being shut up in prison in Judea ... his particular station, and not only the
general terms of ... it so falls out frequently concerning the scriptures, in the ...
/.../proposition iii concerning the scriptures.htm

The Typical Significance of the Scriptures Declare their Divine ...
... From beginning to end the Scriptures testify of Christ ... goats and rams, all pointed
forward in general and in ... and thro' no fault of his own was cast into prison. ...
/.../the divine inspiration of the bible/chapter six the typical significance.htm

General Index.
... Advent message, proclamation of, timely, 351-354. general proclamation of, 355-374. ...
see also Books. Prison-house of Satan, 659. ... see also Bible; Scriptures. ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /general index.htm

The Scriptures Reveal Eternal Life through Jesus Christ
... There was nothing more general among that people, than a vain ... If you would profit
by the Scriptures, you must bring ... captive, and enclose it in a prison of your ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture iv the scriptures reveal.htm

Prison Experiences for Conscience' Sake --Our Prison
... Here we are in prison in our own land for ... The Scriptures, which the day before I
could scarcely open ... to an audience with the Adjutant General, Colonel Townsend ...
/.../prison experiences for conscience sakeour.htm

Joseph
... so happen; that is part and parcel of the Holy Scriptures. ... how he lies long forgotten
in the prison"how at ... sight, not to be needed for the general plan of ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon vii joseph.htm

What the Scriptures Principally Teach: the Ruin and Recovery of ...
... He comes to this prison, and opens the door to ... of them are the abridgment of the
Scriptures,"faith and ... the promises of the gospel, albeit general, as "worthy ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture vi what the scriptures.htm

Concerning the Ministry.
... the proposition concerning the Scriptures is shown more at large. Sec. . XIV. From
all this then we do firmly conclude, that not only in a general apostacy it ...
/.../proposition x concerning the ministry.htm

The Second Helvetic Confession, AD 1566.
... that Christ died not only for men in general, but also ... of purgatory is opposed to
the Scriptures, and to ... [765] Bishop Hooper wrote from prison shortly before ...
/.../ 55 the second helvetic.htm

Chapter vii.
... indeed, in a great measure, from those Scriptures, but still ... John's Gospel of the
then general notoriety of the ... for John was not yet cast into prison," (John 3 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/paley/evidences of christianity/chapter vii.htm

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