What does the Bible say about prisons?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible presents prisons as places of real human injustice and suffering, yet also as settings where God remains present, sovereign, and able to advance his purposes. Joseph was unjustly confined, but the Lord was with him and showed him steadfast love in prison (Genesis 39:20-21). Jeremiah endured imprisonment and a cistern for faithfully speaking God’s word, while God still preserved him (Jeremiah 37:21; 38:6). The apostles were jailed for preaching Christ, showing that obedience may bring persecution (Acts 4:3; 5:18). Yet Zechariah 9:11 holds out God’s covenant promise to free prisoners, ultimately fulfilled through Christ, who brings liberty from sin, judgment, and death.
Study outline
Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.
Torrey's New Topical Textbook
- Antiquity of Genesis 39:20
- Kinds of, mentioned
- State Jeremiah 37:21; Genesis 39:20
- Common Acts 5:18
- Dungeons attached to Jeremiah 38:6; Zechariah 9:11
- Were under the care of a keeper Genesis 39:21
- Used for confining
- Persons accused of crimes Luke 23:19
- Persons accused of heresy Acts 4:3; Acts 5:18; Acts 8:3
- Suspected persons Genesis 42:19
- Condemned persons till executed Leviticus 24:12; Acts 12:4; Acts 12:5
- Enemies taken captive Judges 16:21; 2 Kings 17:4; Jeremiah 52:11
- Debtors till they paid Matthew 5:26; Matthew 18:30
- Persons under the king’s displeasure 1 Kings 22:27; 2 Chronicles 16:10; Mark 6:17
- Confinement in, often awarded as a punishment Ezra 7:26
- Confinement in, considered a severe punishment Luke 22:33
- Places used as
- Court of the king’s house Jeremiah 32:2
- House of the king’s scribe Jeremiah 37:15
- House of the captain of the guard Genesis 40:3
- Prisoner’s own house, where he was kept bound to a soldier Acts 28:16; Acts 28:30; 2 Timothy 1:16-18
- The king had power to commit to 1 Kings 22:27
- Magistrates had power to commit to Matthew 5:25
- Persons confined in
- Said to be in ward Leviticus 24:12
- Said to be in hold Acts 4:3
- Often placed in dungeons Jeremiah 39:6; Acts 16:24
- Often bound with fetters Genesis 42:19; Ezekiel 19:9; Mark 6:17
- Often chained to two soldiers Acts 12:6
- Often fastened in stocks Jeremiah 29:26; Acts 16:24
- Often kept to hard labour Judges 16:21
- Often subjected to extreme suffering Psalms 79:11; Psalms 102:20; Psalms 105:18
- Fed on bread and water 1 Kings 22:27
- Clothed in prison dress 2 Kings 25:29
- Sometimes allowed to be visited by their friends Matthew 11:2; Matthew 25:36; Acts 24:23
- Might have their condition ameliorated by the king Jeremiah 37:20; Jeremiah 37:21
- Often executed in Genesis 40:22; Matthew 14:10
- The king had power to release from Genesis 40:21
- Magistrates had power to release from Acts 16:35; Acts 16:36
- Keepers of
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