Acts 12:15, commentary and pictures

Believers were gathered in earnest prayer for Peter while Herod held him in prison intending to kill him as he had killed James the brother of John. When the girl at the gate announced he was standing outside, they first dismissed her as mad, then when she kept insisting it was so, they concluded it must be his angel rather than Peter himself. Their astonishment shows they prayed earnestly yet hardly expected to be answered with his miraculous release and sudden arrival. God had in fact sent His mighty angel to waken Peter, loose his chains, open the prison doors and set him free because he still had work to do. The same event proves that God employs angels as powerful helpers sent to communicate with, guide and deliver His faithful servants.

Prayer Meeting's Astonished Disbelief

Herod Agrippa was ruling Judea subject to Claudius the Roman emperor while also holding the position of tetrarch of Galilee, professing to be a proselyte to the Jewish faith and apparently very zealous for the ceremonies of the Jewish law, and desiring the favor of the Jews to make secure his offices and honors he persecuted the church of Christ, spoiling the houses and goods of believers and imprisoning leading members of the church. He cast James the brother of John into prison and had him killed with the sword by beheading, and then imprisoned Peter also and planned to put him to death. The praying believers therefore expected Peter would have to suffer death as James had just suffered.

Believers were gathered together in earnest prayer for Peter while he was in prison. When Rhoda reported that Peter was standing at the gate, those praying first dismissed her as mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so, insisting it was so, and then they supposed the one there was Peter's angel rather than Peter himself. Their response shows astonishment and difficulty believing Peter had been miraculously freed, and astonishment at his unexpected arrival after imprisonment. Earnest prayer thus coexisted with little expectation of an answer, for they did not immediately believe Peter had been released even while they were praying for him.

When Peter kept knocking and they opened and saw him they were astonished. He motioned for quiet and told how the Lord had brought him out of prison before leaving for another place. Their joy and praise that followed show God had heard and answered their prayers and delivered Peter from the hands of Herod.

Angelic Rescue and Ministry

Acts 12:15 belongs to Peter's experience in Acts 12 which proves that God employs angels to communicate with human beings. Angels are powerful helpers, guides and teachers sent to God's chosen messengers on earth, and instruction is often given to men by immortal messengers. That same angelic guidance continues for God's aged servants who stand with the whole armor on to vindicate the truth and work on the affirmative side as Christ's soldiers.

God sent His mighty angel to rescue Peter from the enemy who had determined to destroy him. Herod had killed James and planned to put Peter to death as well, but Peter was delivered because he still had work to do. God always has care for the true and faithful, and He sends His messengers from heaven to loose bands, open prison doors and gates, and set His servants free.

At the angel's presence the prison doors flew open and Peter's bands were loosed. The angel awakened him by touch amid light, and Peter was amazed and could not understand it but thought he saw a vision. He was so astonished that he thought not of his garments until the angel told him to gird himself and put on his sandals.

Afterward Herod was struck down by God and died while exalting himself before a crowd. The chapter of Peter's deliverance, read slowly and solemnly to children and youth, makes an impression on the young mind that keeps the narrative vividly before them.