Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.
And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)
And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.
Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.
And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.
And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.
And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.
When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.
And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.
And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.
And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.
And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.
And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.
But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.
But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.
Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.
And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judea to Cesarea, and there abode.
And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king’s chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king’s country.
And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.
And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.
And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.
But the word of God grew and multiplied.
And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.
Acts 12 presents a pivotal moment in the early church's story. It showcases the intense opposition the church faced, God's miraculous intervention, and the ultimate triumph of His Word. This chapter marks a transition, shifting the narrative focus from Peter and the apostles in Jerusalem to the rise of Paul and the expansion of the gospel into new territories. The keywords Acts 12 are central to understanding this crucial juncture.
Persecution and Prayer (Acts 12:1-5)
The chapter opens with a stark reminder of the spiritual battle the early church was engaged in. "About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church" (Acts 12:1). This Herod was Herod Agrippa I, grandson of Herod the Great (who features in Matthew 2:1-23). Agrippa I, ruling over Judea from AD 41-44, sought to ingratiate himself with the Jewish leaders by persecuting Christians. He began by executing James, the brother of John (Acts 12:2), fulfilling Jesus' prophecy about their suffering (Mark 10:39).
Seeing that this pleased the Jewish authorities, Herod proceeded to arrest Peter (Acts 12:3), intending to publicly try and execute him after the Passover feast. Peter was imprisoned, heavily guarded, and seemingly without hope. However, "earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church" (Acts 12:5). The church understood the power of prayer in the face of overwhelming odds.
This passage raises difficult questions about suffering and God's will. Why was James not delivered like Peter? The Bible doesn't always provide easy answers, but it assures us that all things work together for good for those who love God (Romans 8:28). God's purposes are not always clear to us, and His plans for each believer may differ. As John 21:21-23 reminds us, we should not compare our circumstances to others, but focus on faithfully following God's will for our own lives. Both James and Peter were operating in God's will, but God had different plans for how each would bring Him glory. Ultimately, we can trust that God is sovereign and that He does what is right, even when we don't understand.
Miraculous Deliverance (Acts 12:6-19)
While Peter was heavily guarded, bound with chains between two soldiers, and behind a heavily secured door (Acts 12:6), the church's fervent prayers ascended to heaven. Prayer is the divinely ordained means of accessing heavenly power for earthly intervention. Heaven responded dramatically. An angel of the Lord appeared, waking Peter and causing his chains to fall off (Acts 12:7). He followed the angel, thinking it was a vision (Acts 12:9), past the guards and through an iron gate that opened on its own accord. Only after the angel departed did Peter realize the reality of his miraculous escape (Acts 12:11).
Peter, understanding that he had benefited from divine intervention, went to the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark (possibly the author of the Gospel of Mark), where many believers were gathered, praying for him (Acts 12:11-12). He knocked, and a servant girl named Rhoda answered (Acts 12:13). Overjoyed at recognizing Peter's voice, she ran to tell the others, leaving Peter standing outside in the cold!
The church's initial reaction is striking. They had been praying fervently for Peter's release (Acts 12:5), yet when God answered, they struggled to believe it. They even suggested that Rhoda was out of her mind or that it was Peter's angel (Acts 12:15). This highlights a common struggle: we often pray without truly expecting God to answer. We must avoid putting God in a box and believe that He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20).
Peter continued knocking (Acts 12:16), and finally, they opened the door and were astonished. After explaining what had happened, Peter instructed them to inform James (the half-brother of Jesus and a leader in the Jerusalem church) and the other brothers (Acts 12:17), before going to another place. When the Lord answers your prayers, be sure to share your testimony so that others may be encouraged and God may receive the glory He deserves.
The next morning, the guards were in an uproar at Peter's disappearance (Acts 12:18). Herod, furious, conducted a thorough search. When Peter could not be found, Herod had the guards executed (Acts 12:19) and then left Jerusalem for Caesarea, a temporary change of scenery that would soon become his final destination.
Herod's Pride and God's Judgment (Acts 12:20-23)
Herod's story takes a dark turn. He was embroiled in a dispute with the people of Tyre and Sidon, Phoenician cities dependent on his region for food (Acts 12:20). Seeking peace, they appealed to Herod, who delivered a public address. During this speech, the people, seeking to flatter the king, cried out, "The voice of a god, and not of a man!" (Acts 12:22).
Instead of rebuking this blasphemous praise and giving glory to God, Herod accepted it. Immediately, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died (Acts 12:23). Josephus, the ancient historian, corroborates this account, describing Herod's agonizing death after accepting divine honors.
This incident serves as a powerful warning against pride. When King Nebuchadnezzar arrogantly took credit for the glory of Babylon, God humbled him until he acknowledged God's sovereignty (Daniel 4:28-37). God declares, "I will not give my glory to another" (Isaiah 42:8). Pride is a dangerous sin that invites God's judgment. We must remember that everything we have is a gift from God and humbly acknowledge His goodness in our lives.
The Word Prevails (Acts 12:24-25)
In stark contrast to Herod's demise, "the word of God increased and multiplied" (Acts 12:24). Herod's attempts to suppress the gospel through persecution and murder were ultimately futile. While the narcissistic king became "worm food" (Acts 12:23), the gospel continued to spread (Acts 12:24), and the church leaders continued to serve God and His people successfully (Acts 12:25). The chapter closes with Barnabas and Saul completing their mission to deliver aid to Jerusalem and returning to Antioch (Acts 12:25), ready for the next phase of God's plan.
Acts 12 demonstrates the unstoppable power of God's Word and the ultimate futility of resisting His purposes. Despite persecution and opposition, the church continued to grow and expand, laying the groundwork for Paul's missionary journeys, which would carry the gospel to the ends of the earth (Acts 13:1-14:28).
Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.
And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)
And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.
Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.
And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.
And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.
And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.
When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.
And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.
And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.
And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.
And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.
And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.
But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.
But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.
Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.
And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judea to Cesarea, and there abode.
And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king’s chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king’s country.
And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.
And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.
And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.
But the word of God grew and multiplied.
And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.
Acts 12 presents a pivotal moment in the early church's story. It showcases the intense opposition the church faced, God's miraculous intervention, and the ultimate triumph of His Word. This chapter marks a transition, shifting the narrative focus from Peter and the apostles in Jerusalem to the rise of Paul and the expansion of the gospel into new territories. The keywords Acts 12 are central to understanding this crucial juncture.
Persecution and Prayer (Acts 12:1-5)
The chapter opens with a stark reminder of the spiritual battle the early church was engaged in. "About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church" (Acts 12:1). This Herod was Herod Agrippa I, grandson of Herod the Great (who features in Matthew 2:1-23). Agrippa I, ruling over Judea from AD 41-44, sought to ingratiate himself with the Jewish leaders by persecuting Christians. He began by executing James, the brother of John (Acts 12:2), fulfilling Jesus' prophecy about their suffering (Mark 10:39).
Seeing that this pleased the Jewish authorities, Herod proceeded to arrest Peter (Acts 12:3), intending to publicly try and execute him after the Passover feast. Peter was imprisoned, heavily guarded, and seemingly without hope. However, "earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church" (Acts 12:5). The church understood the power of prayer in the face of overwhelming odds.
This passage raises difficult questions about suffering and God's will. Why was James not delivered like Peter? The Bible doesn't always provide easy answers, but it assures us that all things work together for good for those who love God (Romans 8:28). God's purposes are not always clear to us, and His plans for each believer may differ. As John 21:21-23 reminds us, we should not compare our circumstances to others, but focus on faithfully following God's will for our own lives. Both James and Peter were operating in God's will, but God had different plans for how each would bring Him glory. Ultimately, we can trust that God is sovereign and that He does what is right, even when we don't understand.
Miraculous Deliverance (Acts 12:6-19)
While Peter was heavily guarded, bound with chains between two soldiers, and behind a heavily secured door (Acts 12:6), the church's fervent prayers ascended to heaven. Prayer is the divinely ordained means of accessing heavenly power for earthly intervention. Heaven responded dramatically. An angel of the Lord appeared, waking Peter and causing his chains to fall off (Acts 12:7). He followed the angel, thinking it was a vision (Acts 12:9), past the guards and through an iron gate that opened on its own accord. Only after the angel departed did Peter realize the reality of his miraculous escape (Acts 12:11).
Peter, understanding that he had benefited from divine intervention, went to the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark (possibly the author of the Gospel of Mark), where many believers were gathered, praying for him (Acts 12:11-12). He knocked, and a servant girl named Rhoda answered (Acts 12:13). Overjoyed at recognizing Peter's voice, she ran to tell the others, leaving Peter standing outside in the cold!
The church's initial reaction is striking. They had been praying fervently for Peter's release (Acts 12:5), yet when God answered, they struggled to believe it. They even suggested that Rhoda was out of her mind or that it was Peter's angel (Acts 12:15). This highlights a common struggle: we often pray without truly expecting God to answer. We must avoid putting God in a box and believe that He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20).
Peter continued knocking (Acts 12:16), and finally, they opened the door and were astonished. After explaining what had happened, Peter instructed them to inform James (the half-brother of Jesus and a leader in the Jerusalem church) and the other brothers (Acts 12:17), before going to another place. When the Lord answers your prayers, be sure to share your testimony so that others may be encouraged and God may receive the glory He deserves.
The next morning, the guards were in an uproar at Peter's disappearance (Acts 12:18). Herod, furious, conducted a thorough search. When Peter could not be found, Herod had the guards executed (Acts 12:19) and then left Jerusalem for Caesarea, a temporary change of scenery that would soon become his final destination.
Herod's Pride and God's Judgment (Acts 12:20-23)
Herod's story takes a dark turn. He was embroiled in a dispute with the people of Tyre and Sidon, Phoenician cities dependent on his region for food (Acts 12:20). Seeking peace, they appealed to Herod, who delivered a public address. During this speech, the people, seeking to flatter the king, cried out, "The voice of a god, and not of a man!" (Acts 12:22).
Instead of rebuking this blasphemous praise and giving glory to God, Herod accepted it. Immediately, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died (Acts 12:23). Josephus, the ancient historian, corroborates this account, describing Herod's agonizing death after accepting divine honors.
This incident serves as a powerful warning against pride. When King Nebuchadnezzar arrogantly took credit for the glory of Babylon, God humbled him until he acknowledged God's sovereignty (Daniel 4:28-37). God declares, "I will not give my glory to another" (Isaiah 42:8). Pride is a dangerous sin that invites God's judgment. We must remember that everything we have is a gift from God and humbly acknowledge His goodness in our lives.
The Word Prevails (Acts 12:24-25)
In stark contrast to Herod's demise, "the word of God increased and multiplied" (Acts 12:24). Herod's attempts to suppress the gospel through persecution and murder were ultimately futile. While the narcissistic king became "worm food" (Acts 12:23), the gospel continued to spread (Acts 12:24), and the church leaders continued to serve God and His people successfully (Acts 12:25). The chapter closes with Barnabas and Saul completing their mission to deliver aid to Jerusalem and returning to Antioch (Acts 12:25), ready for the next phase of God's plan.
Acts 12 demonstrates the unstoppable power of God's Word and the ultimate futility of resisting His purposes. Despite persecution and opposition, the church continued to grow and expand, laying the groundwork for Paul's missionary journeys, which would carry the gospel to the ends of the earth (Acts 13:1-14:28).