Life in a First-Century Prison
Preparing for the Fourth Sunday of Easter: Two Days before Sunday (Year B)
Scripture
Psalter: Psalm 23
Old Testament: Genesis 46:28—47:6
Epistle: Acts 4:1-4
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Prayer
O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer)
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Reflection
While Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came to them, much annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming that in Jesus there is the resurrection of the dead. So they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. But many of those who heard the word believed, and they numbered about five thousand. (Acts 4:1-4).
Being in a first century Roman prison was a grim and harsh experience. Roman prisons were not primarily used to punish criminals through long-term confinement, as in modern penitentiaries, but rather served as holding areas for those awaiting trial, execution, or punishment, or for slaves awaiting discipline from their masters.
Prisons were typically dark, damp, and poorly ventilated making them extremely uncomfortable and unsanitary. The conditions contributed to the suffering of the inmates. There were no provisions for health, sanitation, or the well-being of prisoners. Many of the people in Roman prisons were there temporarily before their execution or other forms of punishment like flogging. Prisons served as a means to secure persons until further actions (judicial or otherwise) could be taken against them.
An example of a Roman prison is the Mamertine Prison in Rome, which consisted of an upper and a lower chamber. The lower chamber, called the Tullianum was underground and accessed only through a hole in the ceiling. It was notorious for being a place where prisoners were left to die.
The treatment of prisoners was generally brutal. They were often left to starve, and the lack of food and water was itself a form of torture. High-profile prisoners might receive better treatment, such as receiving food from visitors or being allowed some movement, but this was not the norm. Roman law was applied differently to citizens versus slaves or non-citizens with citizens often receiving more favorable treatment.
PRAYER: Guide us in the path of discipleship, so that, as you have blessed us, we may be a blessing for others, bringing the promise of the kingdom near by our words and deeds. Amen. (Revised Common Lectionary)
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