Acts 12:3, commentary and pictures

Herod Agrippa had James executed, and when he saw that this pleased the Jews he went further to win their favor by seizing and imprisoning Peter also during the days of unleavened bread, at Passover when multitudes had gathered in Jerusalem. He kept Peter in custody under guard by sixteen soldiers, intending to bring him out for public execution after Passover was ended because the rulers feared the people's pity and respect for Peter might turn them to investigate Christ or demand his release. Their gathering in religious observance to celebrate deliverance from Egypt while persecuting and killing believers in Christ exposed hypocrisy and transgression of every principle of the law they professed to honor. God had further work for Peter to do, so He sent His angel to deliver him from Herod's power, opening the prison doors, loosing his bands and leading him out free while the church fasted and prayed and believers were astonished at his voice. The account shows that God always has care for the true and faithful and employs angels as powerful helpers to His chosen messengers, and that those who obey God rather than man must expect reproach and strait places yet keep bearing the truth even in prison.

Herod's Attack and Timing

Herod Agrippa had James killed by beheading and execution, and when he saw that this pleased the Jews he went further to win their favor and gratify them by arresting, seizing and imprisoning Peter also, intensifying his persecution of the church. The seizure took place during the days of unleavened bread, at Passover, the sacred season when the Jews were celebrating their deliverance from Egypt. At that time people had gathered in Jerusalem for the feast, including people from many nations.

Herod intended to make Peter's death a public spectacle for the Passover gathering. He delayed bringing him out for execution until after Passover was over, because the rulers feared the crowd's pity and respect for Peter. They feared the effect of his venerable appearance and of a persuasive defense of Christ, lest his words stir sympathy, lead people to investigate the life and character of Jesus and be persuaded to follow Him, or move the crowd to demand Peter's release.

While held for this planned execution Peter was kept in custody under guard by sixteen soldiers, while the Jewish leaders sought his death. His imprisonment brought the whole church to fasting and prayer.

Hypocrisy, Rescue, and Lessons

The arrest fell in the days of unleavened bread, at Passover when the Jews were celebrating their deliverance from Egypt. While gathering in religious observance and pretending great zeal for the law of God, they were pleased by Herod's killing of James and his seizure of Peter, persecuting and killing believers in Christ and stirring hatred against them. That rejoicing in cruelty while commemorating deliverance transgressed every principle of the law they professed to honor.

Herod seized Peter with intent to put him to death, encouraged by Jewish approval of James's death. God had further work for Peter to do and did not forget His faithful servant, so He sent His angel to rescue and deliver him from Herod's power and set him free. At the presence of the mighty angel the prison doors flew open, Peter's bands were loosed, and light shone that amazed Peter so that he thought he saw a vision. The angel awakened him by touch and told him to gird himself and put on his sandals and garments. Prayers had been made in his behalf while believers expected he would suffer death, and they were astonished when they heard his voice at the gate.

God always has care for the true and faithful, sending His messengers from heaven to open gates and set His servants free. He employs angels to communicate with human beings as powerful helpers and guides to His chosen messengers, so that His messengers are taught of God and led by angels. They stand with the whole armor on to vindicate the truth and work on the affirmative side as Christ's soldiers. In this account an enemy had seized Peter as prey with determination to destroy him, and an angel of God took the prey from the enemy.

Peter's imprisonment for obeying God rather than man when human laws and powers oppose God illustrates the reproach and persecution that comes to those who take their stand to stem prevailing iniquity and carry aggressive truth, especially when the message goes with a loud cry. Believers must keep bearing the message and letting their light shine wherever they are, even in prison, and must expect to be brought into strait places because the whole world will not be in harmony with the law. The deliverance account is to be read slowly and solemnly to children and youth to make an impression that keeps the narrative vivid in the young mind and influences character. Such reading shows the need to teach youth how to read and understand the Scriptures by leading the mind from truth to truth with Scripture interpreting Scripture.