Acts 12 - ESV - Bible Reading / Study Notes

Acts 12

James Killed and Peter Imprisoned

12:1 About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. 2 He killed James the brother of John with the sword, 3 and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. 4 And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. 5 So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.

Peter Is Rescued

6 Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. 7 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. 8 And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” 9 And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10 When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. 11 When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”

12 When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. 13 And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14 Recognizing Peter’s voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. 15 They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!” 16 But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. 17 But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell these things to James and to the brothers.”¹ Then he departed and went to another place.

18 Now when day came, there was no little disturbance among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. 19 And after Herod searched for him and did not find him, he examined the sentries and ordered that they should be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and spent time there.

The Death of Herod

20 Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they came to him with one accord, and having persuaded Blastus, the king’s chamberlain,² they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king’s country for food. 21 On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them. 22 And the people were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!” 23 Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last.

24 But the word of God increased and multiplied.

25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from³ Jerusalem when they had completed their service, bringing with them John, whose other name was Mark.

Footnotes

[1] 12:17 Or brothers and sisters
[2] 12:20 That is, trusted personal attendant
[3] 12:25 Some manuscripts to

Commentary

v1-4: Herod is a ruthless man, and an opponent of the church. He kills James, which "pleased the Jews," and doubtless strengthens his own position. Later, after Peter escapes from prison, he has four squads of soldiers put to death (v19).

He times his attack at Passover, an emotional time for both Christians and Jews.

v5: The Christians pray earnestly and constantly; indicating their concern for Peter. 'Corporate prayer unlocked miraculous provision into an impossible situation' (Mike Betts).

v6: Peter is asleep on the eve of his trial. He is at peace; just as Jesus slept in the boat in a storm.

v7-11: Peter is initially not sure at the reality of his deliverance, "he thought he was seeing a vision." Even so, God did not stop doing it; He is not limited by our unbelief. Ps 34.19 speaks of God's power to deliver; see 2 Pet 2.9.

v12-15: The Christians have met together in Mary's house to pray. Rhoda, who comes to the door is "so overjoyed," and the others hardly believe that Peter has been released. Again, their lack of faith does not despatch him back into the prison.

It has been suggested that the house was the same place as that where Jesus had celebrated the Passover with the disciples. This would provide the reason why the young Mark (Mark 14.51-52) later followed the disciples to Gethsemane.

v16-17: Peter's arrival brings great assurance to the Christians; here is real answer to prayer.

v18-19: The soldiers have no explanation, and Herod puts them to death.

v20: The events in Jerusalem coincide with the breach between Herod and Tyre and Sidon. These cities take the initiative while he is in Caesarea, and seek peace. Their actions encourage his pride and arrogance.

v21-23: Herod, like all rulers, is appointed by God, Rom 13.1. Yet the respect shown by the people of Tyre and Sidon goes too far, "This is the voice of a god, not of a man;" they worship him, and he accepts worship. So God strikes him down and kills him.

Here is further protection for the infant church, this time from an enemy outside. In 5.1-10, God took away Ananias and Sapphira, enemies from within. The Lord did not do such things during His earthly ministry, but there are a number of such judgments in Acts, including a number struck blind. See Ps 50.21, where the Lord will not keep silent, but will act in judgment.

v24: As a result of these things, God's word continues to spread.

v25: Saul and Barnabas fulfil their ministry, see 11.30. They are in Jerusalem while Peter is imprisoned, and while Herod visits Caesarea.