Category: Early Church
Scriptures:
Acts 12:1-12:17
Acts 12:1-12:17
1 Now about that time, King Herod stretched out his hands to oppress some of the assembly.
2 He killed James, the brother of John, with the sword.
3 When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This was during the days of unleavened bread.
4 When he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of four soldiers each to guard him, intending to bring him out to the people after the Passover.
5 Peter therefore was kept in the prison, but constant prayer was made by the assembly to God for him.
6 The same night when Herod was about to bring him out, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains. Guards in front of the door kept the prison.
7 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side, and woke him up, saying, “Stand up quickly!” His chains fell off from his hands.
8 The angel said to him, “Get dressed and put on your sandals.” He did so. He said to him, “Put on your cloak, and follow me.”
9 And he went out and followed him. He didn’t know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he saw a vision.
10 When they were past the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened to them by itself. They went out, and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.
11 When Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I truly know that the Lord has sent out his angel and delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from everything the Jewish people were expecting.”
12 Thinking about that, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was called Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.
13 When Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a maid named Rhoda came to answer.
14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, she didn’t open the gate for joy, but ran in, and reported that Peter was standing in front of the gate.
15 They said to her, “You are crazy!” But she insisted that it was so. They said, “It is his angel.”
16 But Peter continued knocking. When they had opened, they saw him, and were amazed.
17 But he, beckoning to them with his hand to be silent, declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. He said, “Tell these things to James, and to the brothers.” Then he departed, and went to another place.
Commentary
At the heart of Peter’s escape in Acts 12 is an angelic visitation that reads like a drama script. Peter is sleeping soundly, (despite his impending trial and probable execution), when suddenly, an angel of the Lord appears, illuminating the cell, striking Peter on the side to wake him up, and instructing him to quickly get dressed. The chains fall off Peter’s wrists, underscoring that God has power to liberate and protect His people in seemingly impossible circumstances.
Curiously, Peter initially has disbelief in the reality of what was happening. While he follows the angel, he thinks he’s experiencing a vision. It’s only after they have safely navigated through the final gate and the angel disappears that Peter realizes, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me…” This provides humor and humanity to the narrative, and reminds us that even the stalwarts of faith can have moments of doubt and wonder.
Peter’s escape from prison is not just a story of angelic rescue, but is a testament to the power of prayer, the reality of divine intervention, and the strength that comes from faith in the face of adversity. The early church’s commitment to prayer, even in dangerous times, is a powerful lesson for believers today about the importance of intercession and trust in God’s deliverance. We see the lengths God will go to protect and deliver His people, a theme that resonates throughout the Bible. Whether you find yourself facing physical chains or spiritual ones, Peter’s story is a profound reminder that no barrier is too great for God to overcome.
This story must inspire us to deepen our faith, engage in fervent prayer, and stand firm in the belief that with God, all things are possible.