There were at least two cities named Caesarea in the first century A.D. CAESAREA PHILIPPI was located near the springs that fed the Jordan river and was visited by Jesus and his disciples (Matthew 16:13). The Caesarea where Paul was imprisoned was called CAESAREA MARITIMA and was located on the shores of the Mediterranean sea. This Caesarea was also the place where a Roman Centurion named Cornelius became the first non-Jewish convert to Christianity (Acts 10). The apostle Paul became a Roman prisoner after a riot against what he taught broke out at Jerusalem's temple. When a plot to ambush and kill Paul was discovered he was immediately taken, under Roman protection, to Caesarea (see Acts 21-23). Soon after his arrival in Caesarea Paul's case was heard by Roman governor Felix. The governor, however, kept Paul a prisoner in the city for two years in the hope that money would be offered (a bribe) to secure his release (Acts 24:26-27). It was only after Felix was replaced as governor, and Paul requested that Caesar himself hear his case, that he left the city. Sources: Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible; Wikipedia; Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible; John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible; The Life and Epistles of St. Paul by Conybeare and Howson. | 
