Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.
As soon as it was day the soldiers found Peter gone from a prison that still looked fully locked and guarded, and they were thrown into alarmed confusion over what had become of him. Herod Agrippa, who ruled Galilee and Judea under Claudius and sought favor with the Jews, had imprisoned Peter after killing James with the sword to please them. Herod blamed the keepers for failing their duty and had them put to death, though he knew no human power had freed Peter and still refused to acknowledge that God had thwarted him. The stir came because God sent an angel to free His chosen messenger from the execution Herod intended, since Peter still had work to do. Angels thus guide and help God's messengers on earth, and the story of this deliverance when read solemnly impresses children and youth for a lifetime.
Setting and Morning Discovery
The stir of Acts 12:18 took place under Herod Agrippa, tetrarch of Galilee and ruler of Judea subject to Claudius the Roman emperor. He was a professed proselyte to the Jewish faith, outwardly zealous for the ceremonies of the law, and to gain favor with the Jews and to secure his offices and honors he persecuted the church by spoiling the houses and goods of believers and imprisoning its leading members. In that persecution he cast James the brother of John into prison and had him killed with the sword, and seeing that this pleased the Jews he imprisoned Peter also, whose disappearance caused the stir among the soldiers.
When morning came the prison still appeared fully secure, with guards remaining at their posts. They had watched closely and been specially vigilant because their lives were at stake, yet the doors and bars remained secured and intact. The chains were still attached to the two soldiers.
At daybreak the soldiers discovered Peter was gone and could not account for what had become of him. They were thrown into great alarm, terror, dismay, confusion, and stunned wonder. The commotion was no small stir, but alarm and confusion spreading through the guard at the daylight discovery.
The report of the disappearance reached Herod, and the guards faced responsibility for the absent prisoner. Herod blamed the keepers for failing in their duty, accusing them of sleeping at their post. He ordered them put to death.
Herod knew that no human power had rescued Peter. Yet in rage he refused to acknowledge that divine power had thwarted his plan and that God had thwarted it, and by his course he defied God.
Divine Deliverance and Lesson
The stir was caused by God's deliverance of Peter from prison and from the execution Herod intended, by sending an angel to him. That angel came to communicate with Peter and to act as a powerful helper to God's chosen messenger, taking the prey away from the enemy who had determined to destroy him. In this God thwarted Herod's purpose and plan to execute Peter. Peter was spared because he still had work to do.
Angels are guides to God's messengers on earth, and instruction is often given to men by these immortal messengers because God's messengers are taught of God. When read slowly and solemnly, the narrative of Peter's deliverance makes an impression on the minds of children and youth that keeps it vivid for a lifetime and shapes character. This shows the value of teaching the youth to read and understand the Scriptures.
As soon as it was day the soldiers found Peter gone from a prison that still looked fully locked and guarded, and they were thrown into alarmed confusion over what had become of him. Herod Agrippa, who ruled Galilee and Judea under Claudius and sought favor with the Jews, had imprisoned Peter after killing James with the sword to please them. Herod blamed the keepers for failing their duty and had them put to death, though he knew no human power had freed Peter and still refused to acknowledge that God had thwarted him. The stir came because God sent an angel to free His chosen messenger from the execution Herod intended, since Peter still had work to do. Angels thus guide and help God's messengers on earth, and the story of this deliverance when read solemnly impresses children and youth for a lifetime.
Setting and Morning Discovery
The stir of Acts 12:18 took place under Herod Agrippa, tetrarch of Galilee and ruler of Judea subject to Claudius the Roman emperor. He was a professed proselyte to the Jewish faith, outwardly zealous for the ceremonies of the law, and to gain favor with the Jews and to secure his offices and honors he persecuted the church by spoiling the houses and goods of believers and imprisoning its leading members. In that persecution he cast James the brother of John into prison and had him killed with the sword, and seeing that this pleased the Jews he imprisoned Peter also, whose disappearance caused the stir among the soldiers.
When morning came the prison still appeared fully secure, with guards remaining at their posts. They had watched closely and been specially vigilant because their lives were at stake, yet the doors and bars remained secured and intact. The chains were still attached to the two soldiers.
At daybreak the soldiers discovered Peter was gone and could not account for what had become of him. They were thrown into great alarm, terror, dismay, confusion, and stunned wonder. The commotion was no small stir, but alarm and confusion spreading through the guard at the daylight discovery.
The report of the disappearance reached Herod, and the guards faced responsibility for the absent prisoner. Herod blamed the keepers for failing in their duty, accusing them of sleeping at their post. He ordered them put to death.
Herod knew that no human power had rescued Peter. Yet in rage he refused to acknowledge that divine power had thwarted his plan and that God had thwarted it, and by his course he defied God.
Divine Deliverance and Lesson
The stir was caused by God's deliverance of Peter from prison and from the execution Herod intended, by sending an angel to him. That angel came to communicate with Peter and to act as a powerful helper to God's chosen messenger, taking the prey away from the enemy who had determined to destroy him. In this God thwarted Herod's purpose and plan to execute Peter. Peter was spared because he still had work to do.
Angels are guides to God's messengers on earth, and instruction is often given to men by these immortal messengers because God's messengers are taught of God. When read slowly and solemnly, the narrative of Peter's deliverance makes an impression on the minds of children and youth that keeps it vivid for a lifetime and shapes character. This shows the value of teaching the youth to read and understand the Scriptures.