Acts12
New Living Translation
1About that time King Herod Agrippa began to persecute some believers in the church.
2He had the apostle James (John’s brother) killed with a sword.
3When Herod saw how much this pleased the Jewish people, he also arrested Peter. (This took place during the Passover celebration.)
4Then he imprisoned him, placing him under the guard of four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring Peter out for public trial after the Passover.
5But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him.
6The night before Peter was to be placed on trial, he was asleep, fastened with two chains between two soldiers. Others stood guard at the prison gate.
7Suddenly, there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter. The angel struck him on the side to awaken him and said, “Quick! Get up!” And the chains fell off his wrists.
8Then the angel told him, “Get dressed and put on your sandals.” And he did. “Now put on your coat and follow me,” the angel ordered.
9So Peter left the cell, following the angel. But all the time he thought it was a vision. He didn’t realize it was actually happening.
10They passed the first and second guard posts and came to the iron gate leading to the city, and this opened for them all by itself. So they passed through and started walking down the street, and then the angel suddenly left him.
11Peter finally came to his senses. “It’s really true!” he said. “The Lord has sent his angel and saved me from Herod and from what the Jewish leaders had planned to do to me!”
12When he realized this, he went to the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many were gathered for prayer.
13He knocked at the door in the gate, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to open it.
14When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed that, instead of opening the door, she ran back inside and told everyone, “Peter is standing at the door!”
15“You’re out of your mind!” they said. When she insisted, they decided, “It must be his angel.”
16Meanwhile, Peter continued knocking. When they finally opened the door and saw him, they were amazed.
17He motioned for them to quiet down and told them how the Lord had led him out of prison. “Tell James and the other brothers what happened,” he said. And then he went to another place.
18At dawn there was a great commotion among the soldiers about what had happened to Peter.
19Herod Agrippa ordered a thorough search for him. When he couldn’t be found, Herod interrogated the guards and sentenced them to death. Afterward Herod left Judea to stay in Caesarea for a while.
20Now Herod was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. So they sent a delegation to make peace with him because their cities were dependent upon Herod’s country for food. The delegates won the support of Blastus, Herod’s personal assistant,
21and an appointment with Herod was granted. When the day arrived, Herod put on his royal robes, sat on his throne, and made a speech to them.
22The people gave him a great ovation, shouting, “It’s the voice of a god, not of a man!”
23Instantly, an angel of the Lord struck Herod with a sickness, because he accepted the people’s worship instead of giving the glory to God. So he was consumed with worms and died.
24Meanwhile, the word of God continued to spread, and there were many new believers.
25When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission to Jerusalem, they returned, taking John Mark with them.
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