John is in prison, and prisons in those days were less about internment and more like a place to await trial or execution. They didn’t provide for the needs of the imprisoned at all. It was up to the community of the prisoner to provide food, clothing, even medical care. John’s visitors are faithful to him - bringing food, clothing, as well as news of the outside world. 

If a Christmas tree falls in the forest, and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? Does it say “ouch”?

I’ve had nights where sleep hides from me. On those sleepless nights, I cannot find a comfortable position. My brain is busy–worrying, planning, wondering. I watch the hours tick by and the only way I know I’ve slept is by waking up. I glance at the clock to calculate how many hours it’s been since I last glanced at the clock. Two? Three? Even four?