He came to us, took Paul’s belt, tied his own feet and hands, and said, ‘This is what the Holy Spirit says: “In this way the Jews in Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him over to the Gentiles.” ’
When Herod was about to bring him out for trial, that very night Peter, bound with two chains, was sleeping between two soldiers, while the sentries in front of the door guarded the prison.
So those who were about to examine him withdrew from him immediately. The commander too was alarmed when he realised Paul was a Roman citizen and he had bound him.
‘I wish before God,’ replied Paul, ‘that whether easily or with difficulty, not only you but all who listen to me today might become as I am #– #except for these chains.’
I answered them that it is not the Roman custom to give someone up before the accused faces the accusers and has an opportunity for a defence against the charges.
The Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes. They brought him down to Gaza and bound him with bronze shackles, and he was forced to grind grain in the prison.
Delilah took new ropes, tied him up with them, and shouted, ‘Samson, the Philistines are here! ’ But while the men in ambush were waiting in her room, he snapped the ropes off his arms like a thread.
‘No,’ they said, ‘we won’t kill you, but we will tie you up securely and hand you over to them.’ So they tied him up with two new ropes and led him away from the rock.
The next day, since he wanted to find out exactly why Paul was being accused by the Jews, he released him and instructed the chief priests and all the Sanhedrin to convene. He brought Paul down and placed him before them.
Indeed, it is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart, and you are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel.