Caesarea
Apostle Paul kept prisoner until BRIBE paid to free him!

     Caesarea Maritima was built and named by Herod the Great, in honor of Caesar Augustus, around 25-13 B.C.  Jewish historian Josephus wrote about the building and completion of the city (which he calls Cesarea Sebaste).  In 13 B.C. Caesarea became the Roman civilian and military capital of Judea and the official residence of Roman procurators / governors such as Pontius Pilate and Antonius Felix.

     At the end of his third missionary journey the apostle Paul travels to Jerusalem.  After arriving in Jerusalem Paul goes to the temple with four Jewish converts (Acts 21:23-26). Jews from Asia, assuming Paul brought Gentiles into a Temple area where they were not allowed, cause a riot.  Roman troops soon arrive and save Paul from a certain death.

     Paul, as prisoner, is soon escorted out of the city by Roman soldiers and taken to Caesarea.  It is in Caesarea where Felix, the Roman governor of Judea, will hear the case against Paul made by the Jews.

     The Jews, before Felix, accuse the apostle Paul of various crimes which they cannot prove (Acts 25:7).  Governor Felix, in spite of Paul's innocence, keeps him a Roman prisoner in the hope that a BRIBE will be offered to secure his release (Acts 24:26-27).  To facilitate the possibility of a bribe Felix gives Paul liberties such as not being bound and the right to have people visit him or provide for his needs.  A bribe to free Paul, however, never comes.  He is kept a prisoner under Felix from early Summer 58 A.D. to early Autumn 60 A.D. until Festus is named the new governor.

     It is before Festus that Paul requests, as a Roman citizen, that his case be heard by Caesar himself.  Paul's request is granted and he is taken to Rome by a Roman Centurion.  His travel to Rome is considered his fourth (possibly last) missionary journey.