Acts12
New International Version
1It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them.
2He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.
3When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread.
4After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.
5So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.
6The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance.
7Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.
8Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him.
9Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision.
10They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.
11Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen.”
12When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying.
13Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door.
14When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!”
15“You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.”
16But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.
17Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. “Tell James and the other brothers and sisters about this,” he said, and then he left for another place.
18In the morning, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter.
19After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him, he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be executed. Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there.
20He had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon; they now joined together and sought an audience with him. After securing the support of Blastus, a trusted personal servant of the king, they asked for peace, because they depended on the king’s country for their food supply.
21On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people.
22They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.”
23Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.
24But the word of God continued to spread and flourish.
25When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission, they returned from Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Acts 12.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The martyrdom of James, and the imprisonment of Peter. (1–5). He is delivered from prison by an angel. (6–11). Peter departs, Herod's rage. (12–19). The death of Herod. (20–25).
vv1-5
James was one of the sons of Zebedee, whom Christ told that they should drink of the cup that he was to drink of, and be baptized with the baptism that he was to be baptized with, Mt 20:23. Now the words of Christ were made good in him; and if we suffer with Christ, we shall reign with him. Herod imprisoned Peter: the way of persecution, as of other sins, is downhill; when men are in it, they cannot easily stop. Those make themselves an easy prey to Satan, who make it their business to please men. Thus James finished his course. But Peter, being designed for further services, was safe; though he seemed now marked out for a speedy sacrifice. We that live in a cold, prayerless generation, can hardly form an idea of the earnestness of these holy men of old. But if the Lord should bring on the church an awful persecution like this of Herod, the faithful in Christ would learn what soul-felt prayer is.
vv6-11
A peaceful conscience, a lively hope, and the consolations of the Holy Spirit, can keep men calm in the full prospect of death; even those very persons who have been most distracted with terrors on that account. God's time to help, is when things are brought to the last extremity. Peter was assured that the Lord would cause this trial to end in the way that should be most for his glory. Those who are delivered out of spiritual imprisonment must follow their Deliverer, like the Israelites when they went out of the house of bondage. They knew not whither they went, but knew whom they followed. When God will work salvation for his people, all difficulties in their way will be overcome, even gates of iron are made to open of their own accord. This deliverance of Peter represents our redemption by Christ, which not only proclaims liberty to the captives, but brings them out of the prison-house. Peter, when he recollected himself, perceived what great things God had done for him. Thus souls delivered out of spiritual bondage, are not at first aware what God has wrought in them; many have the truth of grace, that want evidence of it. But when the Comforter comes, whom the Father will send, sooner or later, he will let them know what a blessed change is wrought.
vv12-19
God's providence leaves room for the use of our prudence, though he has undertaken to perform and perfect what he has begun. These Christians continued in prayer for Peter, for they were truly in earnest. Thus men ought always to pray, and not to faint. As long as we are kept waiting for a mercy, we must continue praying for it. But sometimes that which we most earnestly wish for, we are most backward to believe. The Christian law of self-denial and of suffering for Christ, has not done away the natural law of caring for our own safety by lawful means. In times of public danger, all believers have God for their hiding-place; which is so secret, that the world cannot find them. Also, the instruments of persecution are themselves exposed to danger; the wrath of God hangs over all that engage in this hateful work. And the range of persecutors often vents itself on all in its way.
Key Words
ἐκεῖνος (ekeînos): that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
καιρός (kairós): an occasion, i.e. set or proper time
Ἡρώδης (Hērṓdēs): heroic; Herod, the name of four Jewish kings
βασιλεύς (basileús): a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively)
ἐπιβάλλω (epibállō): to throw upon (literal or figurative, transitive or reflexive; usually with more or less force); specially (with G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ) implied) to reflect; impersonally, to belong to
κακόω (kakóō): to injure; figuratively, to exasperate
χείρ (cheír): the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by Hebraism) a means or instrument)
τὶς (tìs): some or any person or object
ἀπό (apó): "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
ἐκκλησία (ekklēsía): a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both)
Cross References
Acts 12Fulfills Christ's prediction that James would indeed drink of the cup of martyrdom.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Echoes Jewish beliefs about individual guardian angels, as seen in the disciples' reaction: 'It is his angel.'
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
An earlier parallel where an angel of the Lord miraculously opened the prison doors for the apostles.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Illustrates the historic economic dependence of Tyre and Sidon on Israel's agricultural exports.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Demonstrates God's immediate judgment on pagan rulers who claim divine honor and prideful sovereignty.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Exhorts believers to remember those in prison as if they were bound with them.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Introduces John Mark, whose mother's home was the prayer meeting site, foreshadowing future ministry division.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Identifies John Mark, the son of Mary, who joins Barnabas and Saul on their return.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Connects the angel of the Lord bringing judgment to the historical Passover context of the chapter.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Highlights the principle of divine intervention when his people's power is completely gone.
Supported by JFB
Refers to the relief ministry just fulfilled by Barnabas and Saul in Jerusalem before returning.
Supported by John Calvin
The angel's specific instruction to wear sandals matches the simple provisions of the apostolic mission.
Supported by JFB