This morning in Bible class we were discussing the imprisonment of Paul at Caesarea Maritima.

I started to think of my visit to Caesarea Maritima. This picture is taken from the ruins of the hearing room where Paul would have defended himself before being sent to Rome.

The picture above was used in my post: Sea to Sea

In Chapter 24 of Acts we know that Paul spent more than two years in captivity at Caesarea Maritima. I would imagine that at one time he would have walked across this mosaic floor.

I also thought of Felix and Drusilla and wondered what else was known about them. In the chapter in Acts we know that Drusilla was a Jew.

However, the book of Acts does not tell us that she was the daughter of Herod Agrippa. Felix was also not her first husband, she first married Gaius Julius Azizus who had been circumcised in order to marry her.

Drusilla was very beautiful and came to the attention of Felix.

Felix enlisted the help of one of his Jewish friends to convince here to leave her husband and then marry him. This may have been why Felix was alarmed after talking to Paul.

After being relieved as procurator by Porcius Festus, Felix returned to Rome where he had a little bit of trouble.

We do know how Drusilla died. She was in Pompeii along with her son Agrippa and his wife when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79AD.

While in Caesarea Maritima I also stood on the stage of the theater where Herod Agrippa, Drusilla’s Father, was struck down. See Acts 12. This theater is only a short walk from where Paul was held during his time there.

Here is a view of what the stage looks like now. Can you imagine the views of the Mediterranean Sea you would have while watching a performance? The place where Paul was kept is just to the right of this picture. I wonder if Paul attended any performances here during his captivity?

Just a few wandering thoughts, but I can definitely imagine the setting of Paul’s captivity in Caesarea.

Steven

p.s. You can also see more pictures from Caesarea Maritima in my post: Where is This?