The Persecution by Herod (12:1-5)

CHAPTER 12

1 At that time Herod the king laid his hands on some of those of the assembly to do them hurt, 2 and slew James, the brother of John, with the sword.

vv.1-2 Herod’s Persecution, and the Martyrdom of James. Herod Agrippa I, motivated by political ambition and eager to gain favor with the Jews, “killed James the brother of John with the sword.” This was the first apostolic martyrdom. This James is specifically identified as the son of Zebedee, brother of John, one of the three apostles (alongside Peter and John) who formed the inner circle closest to Jesus (cf. Matt. 4:21; 17:1). This fulfilled the expectation set by the Lord Jesus, who warned His disciples, “they shall deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you” (Matt. 24:9). Herod was a grandson of Herod the Great, who had sought to kill the infant Jesus (Matt. 2:16), and he was related to Herod Antipas, the tetrarch who ordered the beheading of John the Baptist (Mark 6:17–28). The Herodian family were Idumeans—descended from Edom—thus long-standing adversaries of Jacob’s family. We see in this Herod’s calculated desire to align with Jewish sentiment by persecuting the followers of Jesus. This marks a shift in the opposition faced by the early church—from religious authorities (e.g., the Sanhedrin in Acts 4:1–3; 5:17–18; 6:12; 7:58; 8:1) to a political authority. Herod may also be a type of the end-time Antichrist, who will ally himself with unbelieving Jews to persecute the faithful remnant.

3 And seeing that it was pleasing to the Jews, he went on to take Peter also: (and they were the days of unleavened bread:) 4 whom having seized he put in prison, having delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep, purposing after the passover to bring him out to the people.

vv.3-4 Peter Imprisoned. Seeing the Jews’ approval of James’s death, Herod, emboldened to further acts of wickedness, proceeded to arrest Peter, intending to publicly execute him after Passover. Perhaps this demonstrates the dangerous influence of political expediency overriding justice and righteousness. Herod was totally motivated by ambition. Peter’s arrest occurred during the days of unleavened bread, and Herod, scrupulously observing Jewish customs, deferred any action until after Passover. The hypocrisy is this: he would scrupulously observe Jewish feasts—even one that speaks of holiness in conduct—while harboring cruel intentions. Peter was placed under heavy guard—“four quaternions” of soldiers (sixteen men)—likely because of prior miraculous escapes. For example, in Acts 5:18-20, the apostles were imprisoned but freed by an angel of the Lord. Nevertheless, God allowed Peter’s arrest to demonstrate His sovereignty, as well as power to answer the prayers of His saints.

5 Peter therefore was kept in the prison; but unceasing prayer was made by the assembly to God concerning him.

v.5 Assembly Prayer for Peter. This verse distinguishes between personal and collective intercession. Individual prayer reflects the believer’s personal walk with God (Jam. 5:16), assembly prayer demonstrates the unity and spiritual concern of the gathered saints as united by the Spirit of God. Collective prayer is great spiritual resource for the Church while we await the Lord’s coming. Though sincere and fervent, it was later revealed that their faith that God could answer it was really quite small, as seen when Peter comes to the door. But God answers, not according to the greatness of our faith, but according to His own character, and in response to the fervency of His people!

The Deliverance of Peter (12:6-17)

6 And when Herod was going to bring him forth, that night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and guards before the door kept the prison. 7 And lo, an angel of the Lord came there, and a light shone in the prison: and having smitten the side of Peter, he roused him up, saying, Rise up quickly. And his chains fell off his hands. 8 And the angel said to him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And he did so. And he says to him, Cast thine upper garment about thee and follow me. 9 And going forth he followed him and did not know that what was happening by means of the angel was real, but supposed he saw a vision. 10 And having passed through a first and second guard, they came to the iron gate which leads into the city, which opened to them of itself; and going forth they went down one street, and immediately the angel left him.

vv.6-10 The Angelic Deliverance.

11 And Peter, being come to himself, said, Now I know certainly that the Lord has sent forth his angel and has taken me out of the hand of Herod and all the expectation of the people of the Jews. 12 And having become clearly conscious in himself, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was surnamed Mark, where were many gathered together and praying.

vv.11-12 Peter’s Reaction.

13 And when he had knocked at the door of the entry, a maid came to listen, by name Rhoda; 14 and having recognised the voice of Peter, through joy did not open the entry, but running in, reported that Peter was standing before the entry. 15 And they said to her, Thou art mad. But she maintained that it was so. And they said, It is his angel. 16 But Peter continued knocking: and having opened, they saw him and were astonished. 17 And having made a sign to them with his hand to be silent, he related to them how the Lord had brought him out of prison; and he said, Report these things to James and to the brethren. And he went out and went to another place.

vv.13-17 Peter’s Reception at Prayer Meeting.

The Presumption and Judgment of Herod (12:8-23)

18 And when it was day there was no small disturbance among the soldiers, what then was become of Peter. 19 And Herod having sought him and not found him, having examined the guards, commanded them to be executed. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea and stayed there.

vv.18-19 Herod’s Reaction to Peter’s Deliverance.

20 And he was in bitter hostility with the Tyrians and Sidonians; but they came to him with one accord, and, having gained Blastus the king’s chamberlain, sought peace, because their country was nourished by the king’s. 21 And on a set day, clothed in royal apparel and sitting on the elevated seat of honour, Herod made a public oration to them. 22 And the people cried out, A god’s voice and not a man’s. 23 And immediately an angel of the Lord smote him, because he did not give the glory to God, and he expired, eaten of worms.

vv.20-23 The Judgment of Herod.

Barnabas and Saul Return to Jerusalem (12:24-25)

24 But the word of God grew and spread itself.

v.24 The Word Multiplies and Spreads.

25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, having fulfilled the service entrusted to them, taking also with them John, surnamed Mark.

v.25 Barnabas and Saul Return to Jerusalem.

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