MPV Commentary

Persecution of the Church by Herod Agrippa I--Martyrdom of James and Miraculous Deliverance of Peter.

Herod the king, grandson of Herod the Great and son of Aristobulus, ruled over all his father's dominions at this time. He was a grandson of Herod the Great, who had been the ruler of Judea for many years. For thirty years before this, there was no king in Jerusalem with supreme authority over Judea, nor was there ever again until the three last years of Herod's life.

He killed James with the sword, beheading him, a most ignominious mode of punishment according to Jewish custom. This was a grievous loss for the Church, as James had been one of Jesus' closest intimates and his death would have left a significant void in the community. The disciples were likely shocked and saddened by this event.

Herod's motivation for killing James was to please the Jews, who were increasingly hostile towards Christians. Herod's popularity depended on maintaining their favor, even if it meant sacrificing one of Jesus' closest followers. This decision would have far-reaching consequences, as it emboldened the Jewish leaders to seek out Peter next.

The days of unleavened bread had begun, a seven-day period during which no leaven was allowed in Jewish homes after eating the Passover. Herod intended to bring Peter before the people for execution after the festival was over. However, this would have been against Jewish custom, as it was considered taboo to try or execute someone during a religious festival.

The church prayed without ceasing for Peter's deliverance, making urgent and earnest prayers in private homes, including Mary's house (Acts 12:12). This prayer continued throughout the days of unleavened bread. Herod planned to bring Peter out before the people that night, but God had other plans.

As Peter slept between two soldiers, bound with chains, an angel appeared to him and struck him on the side, saying, "Arise quickly." The chains fell off, and the angel instructed Peter to put on his garment. Peter obeyed, and the angel told him to follow him. However, Peter did not recognize that it was truly the angel and thought he saw a vision.

The angel led Peter through one street and out of the prison, disappearing from view when they reached safety. When Peter came to himself, he realized what had happened and knew with certainty that the Lord had sent his angel and delivered him. This event would have been a significant encouragement to the church, who had been praying for Peter's deliverance.

Peter went to the house of Mary, where many were gathered praying for his release. Rhoda, her servant, answered the door and was so overjoyed that she ran back inside to tell the others. However, they did not believe her at first, thinking it was too good to be true. They asked her if she was crazy, but she insisted that it was indeed Peter.

Peter continued knocking on the door, as delay would have been dangerous. Eventually, he signaled for them to be quiet with his hand and told them to go tell James and the brothers about his deliverance. He then departed and went into another place, following Jesus' command (Matthew 10:23). When it was daylight, Herod ordered the guards who had been assigned to Peter to be put to death, but they were either asleep or "shaken and become as dead men" (Matthew 28:4), unable to report what had happened.