The arrest of Paul at Jerusalem took place during the Feast of Pentecost, in the late spring of A.D. 58. It marked the beginning of a five-year period often referred to as the "Passion of St. Paul." Luke, who told the story of the Lord’s passion in his Gospel, now relates at what seems disproportionate length the events that finally led Paul to Rome. These five years were an important segment in Paul’s missionary career. Yet, aside from the opportunities to witness to people in high places and his display of courageous faith in times of peril at sea, they were not a very productive period.

During these five years, Paul was technically a prisoner of the Romans and was "in chains." This may mean that he was actually manacled, handcuffed or bound, but at other times he was merely under prote…