Galatians 3:23 — before faith we were held captive "under the law," referring to the Law of Moses for Jews

Galatians 3:23: "before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed." In context Paul is tracing the history of God's people from Abraham through Moses to Christ. "Under the law" = the Mosaic era of being governed/imprisoned by the Law of Moses prior to the Messiah.