The priests and rulers were filled with indignation, and laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. The public nature of the jail also suggests that the authorities wanted to make an example of the apostles, showing that their message would not be tolerated.Paul returns to Jerusalem where he is arrested and a long period of confinement in various locations begins. They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. (17-18) The arrest and imprisonment of the apostles. The religious leaders wanted none of it and tried again and again to put an end to the church. The apostles faced imprisonment for their boldness. The chief priests arrested the apostles for teaching and healing in Jesus' name (Acts –18). They arrested the apostles and put them in the common prison. Acts -21 tells of the apostles, which included John, being incarcerated in a "common jail".