5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.
5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer
5 So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.
5 All the time that Peter was under heavy guard in the jailhouse, the church prayed for him most strenuously.
5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.
5 But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 12:5
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.