New Testament Commentary - Acts 12

by Don R. Hender

Scriptural Text [& Editorial]	Commentary & Explanation	Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
CHAPTER 12 Martyrdom of James—An angel frees Peter from prison—The Lord slays Herod by disease—The Church grows.
1 NOW about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. 2 And he ^akilled ^bJames the brother of John with the sword. 3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews^a, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of ^aunleavened bread^b.)	3^a it pleased the Jews Often the single name title 'Jews' in the New Testament but refers to the leading rulers of the Law of Moses, that 'Sanhedrin' or 'Church' of Jewish elders who because of their position is the representation of 'approved' Jewry or the 'voice of the people' only due to the religious political position as being the 'judges' of the Law of Moses among the people. Thus often the term 'Jews' does not represent the voice of the 'common or mean man' but that voice of the ruling Jews because of their political clout. 3^b the days of unleavened bread Perhaps a bit of planned irony that on the aniversery of the Lord's atonement, death, and resurrection; the post Passover week, that James is killed just prior to it likely in the aniversary of the passion week leading up to the Passover meal and then Peter, the figurehead as God's representative, is taken and put into prison, being also sentenced to death. And on that aniversery when Jesus was released from the 'prison of death', was also Peter so released by the miracle of an angel. The symbolism resounds through history, the days of unleavened bread were those days of deliverance or the exodus of Israel, the days of Christ's atonement, death and resurrection including the release of those spirits in the 'prison' of the Spirit World, and now of Peter's own release from the prison of Herod.
4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in ^aprison, and delivered him to four ^bquaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after ^cEaster to bring him forth to the people. 5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. 6 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.
7 And, behold, the ^aangel 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. 8 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. 9 And he went out, and followed him; and ^awist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.
10 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. 11 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. 12 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.
13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. 14 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. 15 And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.
16 But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished. 17 But he, ^abeckoning 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.
18 Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter. 19 And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to ^adeath. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there abode.
20 ¶ 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. 21 And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. 22 And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. 23 And immediately the ^aangel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.
24 ¶ But the word of God grew and multiplied. 25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ^aministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.