121 Now about that time Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church in order to mistreat them. 2 And he had James the brother of John put to death with a sword . 3 When he saw that it pleased the Jews , he proceeded to arrest Peter also . Now it was during the days of Unleavened Bread. 4 When he had seized him, he put him in prison , delivering him to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out before the people .
5 So Peter was kept in the prison , but prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God .
6 On the very night when Herod was about to bring him forward , Peter was sleeping between two soldiers , bound with two chains , and guards in front of the door were watching over the prison . 7 And behold , an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared and a light shone in the cell ; and he struck Peter's side and woke him up, saying , "Get up quickly ." And his chains fell off his hands . 8 And the angel said to him, "Gird 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 continued to follow , and 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 second guard , they came to the iron gate that leads into the city , which opened for them by itself ; and they went out and went along one street , and immediately the angel departed from him. 11 When Peter came to himself , he said , "Now I know for sure that the Lord has sent forth His angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting ." 12 And when he realized this, he went to the house of Mary , the mother of John who was also called Mark , where many were gathered together and were praying . 13 When he knocked at the door of the gate , a servant-girl named Rhoda came to answer . 14 When she recognized Peter's voice , because of her joy she did not open the gate , but ran in and announced that Peter was standing in front of the gate . 15 They said to her, "You are out of your mind !" But she kept insisting that it was so . They kept saying , "It is his angel ." 16 But Peter continued knocking ; and when they had opened the door, 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 led him out of the prison . And he said , "Report these things to James and the brethren ." Then he left and went to another place . 18 Now when day came , there was no small disturbance among the soldiers as to what could have become of Peter . 19 When Herod had searched for him and had not found him, he examined the guards and ordered that they be led away to execution. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and was spending time there.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 12:1-19
Commentary on Acts 12:1-5
(Read Acts 12:1-5)
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, Matthew 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.
Commentary on Acts 12:6-11
(Read Acts 12:6-11)
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.
Commentary on Acts 12:12-19
(Read Acts 12:12-19)
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.