Leading up to this passage, Paul was attacked by a rioting crowd in the Temple courts. The Roman guards came through to save his life, but still arrested him. In this passage, Paul is put on trial before the Sanhedrin, a religious council that is the very council that was responsible for the death of Christ. Paul was thrown back into prison and as he sat alone in the middle of the night, Jesus met him and called him to take courage. This passage shows us that in our darkest, loneliest moments, Jesus doesn't abandon us. He is not distant or unaware of what we face. He stands by all who are His.