Book of Acts of the Apostles
Compiled by WD Kemner November 2024
Chapter 12 Overview
Peter’s Angelic release from prison
Acts Chapter 12 verses 1-3
People: James the son of Zebedee
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.)
Second recorded martyr: James the son of Zebedee. Older brother to John. Often called James the Great to differentiate from the other James.
Location: Prison in Judea
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.
Peter was physically bound BETWEEN two soldiers. A light shined in the darkness of a prison cell AND NO ONE NOTICED. Not even Peter. The angel had to HIT Peter to wake him up! The chains just FALL OFF. This ENTIRE time NO ONE heard enough noise to WAKE UP!
Peter thought he was dreaming. They passed through TWO WHOLE sections of the prison. When they got to the IRON GATE to the city, the gate opened by itself!
All this happened without ANYONE seeing or hearing it happen!
Acts Chapter 12 verses 11-19
People: Peter, John Mark, Mary, Rhoda, Herod
Location: Judea
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 Judaea to Caesarea, and there abode.
Imagine the facial expressions in this scene:
Peter (still in shock) when reaching the door and having Rhoda leave him still knocking but hearing the voices inside arguing that it is not him.
Those in the house listening to Rhoda claim Peter is at the door.
Acts Chapter 12 verses 20-23
People: Herod
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.
The tragic death of Herod due to his arrogance and pride. This scene reads like a movie but where is the reaction of the king’s court? Immediately, this man-god is struck dead and eaten by worms.
According to the timetable of events in scripture this would be Herod Agrippa grandson of Herod the Great. There is much research on the era of the rule of the Herod’s online and further study can be made there.
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The Herodian Family are mentioned in many locations of the New Testament. This family was NOT of the Royal Jewish lineage but appointed by the nations in control of the area at various times.
This link is to a family tree of the family from a textbook by Merrill Tenny in 1987 called “New Testament Survey” (Eerdmans Publishing)
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VERSES 24-25 are included with the next study: Chapter 13
