In chapter 12 we move from the witness to the Gentiles now to the persecution again in Jerusalem. We see in verses 1-5 the persecution of the apostles by Herod Agrippa, to Peter’s miraculous deliverance from prison in verse 6-19a. In verses 19b-23 we read of Herod’s self-destruction through his own arrogance and finally peace for the church in verses 24-25. The apostles seemed to have been untouched by much of the persecution after Stephen’s martyrdom, but this all changed with Herod Agrippa’s rule over Judea. This is when the apostles became a target as he attempted to suppress the Christians. In the beginning of chapter 12 we see King Herod arrest some of the Christians and began persecuting them. The Greek of verse 1 is more vivid and says he “laid violent hands” on some of the Christians. If you look into King Herod Agrippa’s family and past you will understand his relationship to the Jews. Agrippa was the grandson of Herod the Great. His father, Aristobulus, was executed in 7 B.C. by his grandfather because he feared he may take his throne by force. Agrippa was still a child when his father was killed, and he was sent to Rome with his mother. He was raised there and educated along with the children of Roman aristocracy. The friendships he made there led to his ruling over a Jewish kingdom almost to the extent of his grandfather. In A.D. 37 the emperor Caligula gave him the title of king and made him ruler over territories that were ruled before by his uncle Philip north of Galilee. In A.D. 39 Agrippa’s rule was extended to Galilee and Perea, which is the territory of his uncle Antipas who was sent into exile. His former schoolmate Claudius became emperor in A.D. 41, and he was given rule over Judea and Samaria, which was under Roman procurators for thirty-five years. he was truly king of the Jews and ruled over Judea, Samaria, Galilee, the Transjordan, and the Decapolis. He was not always in good graces with Rome ans used his friendship with Caligula for security and persecution of the Christians was another way to make them happy. He thought it was important to win his loyalty of his Jewish subjects, but when he was away he lived in a thoroughly Roman fashion.
James, the brother of John was the first martyr. He was killed “with a sword.” If James was killed “with a sword” by Herod in true Roman fashion it would have meant he was beheaded. If it was the Jewish mode, since they fobid beheading, then the edge of the sword would have been thrust through his body.Verses 3-5 we read that this action pleased the Jews and so he set his sights on the chief of the apostles, Peter, arrests him and places him into prison. Some may ask why Peter was put in prison instead of being killed. Luke writes that it was the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and by executing Peter during this time would risk his favorable status with the Jews. After the entire period of Passover is when Agrippa was going to bring Peter out for a public trial where he would have been executed for sure. Peter being guarded heavily was a common Roman practice, as well as changing them every three hours this would make sure they stayed awake and alert. Another reason was maybe Agrippa was told by the Sanhedrin of their experience with attempting to jail the apostles (Acts 5:19). This time while Peter was in prison the apostles gave him their main means of assistance, they prayed continually for him (v. 5).
Verses 6-19a we read about peter’s miraculous deliverance from the jail the night before his trial. This is a last minute saving of the apostle for sure. Peter is sleeping, bound with chains, maybe thinking this will be the end for him but he is sleeping peaceful because he knows that God is in complete control and that his life is in God’s hands. We then read that an angel of the Lord appeared, and there was a flash of heavenly light that filled the cell. Peter was still asleep and the angel had to get him up. Peter had no idea what was happening to him and the angel had to direct every one of his moves, he told him, “get up,” “put your coat on,” “tie your sandals,” “follow me.” We see from this that this is not Peter’s own escape but the Lord saving him from death. Still half asleep Peter did as the angel told him, and he thought he was seeing a vision (v. 9). We also read each step they take and how many gates and barriers they had to go through for Peter’s deliverance. After the angel disappeared Peter finally came to be fully alert and awake when he realized that God had delivered him from Herod and the death he would have surly faced (v.11).
Verse 12 starts a new scene to the Christian community who had been praying non stop for Peter. One of the groups was staying at the home of John Mark’s mother, so that’s where Peter went. In verse 12 it is unusual for Mary to be identified through Mark, usually the child was identified through the parent. The reason it was worded this way may be that mark was more well known of the two within the Christian community, or there may have been several prominent women named Mary in the early church. We also know that john Mark would play a significant role in the first missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas (12:25; 13:5, 13; 15:37, 39).
I always get a little laugh when I read verses 13-14 in the account of the servant-girl Rhoda. Rhoda was a common Greek name, and meant rose. Peter arrived and stood at the outer gate. Rhoda would have been responsible for keeping the gate. When Peter knocked, she hurried to the gate to see who was there. She was so excited to see Peter, she ran back to tell the others the good news, but left Peter standing at the door. I can imagine poor Peter just standing there waiting, but also a little agitated knowing that they would be looking for him soon since he just escaped from the jail. Rhoda told the others Peter was at the door and they did not believe it and only thought it was “his angel.” The Jewish belief was that each person has a guardian angel, and they also believed that the angel appears immediately after a person’s death so they must have thought Peter had been killed and went to heaven. It seems they thought it was easier to believe this rather then God saving him.
Verse 17 is a key verse, it gives three pieces of information. 1. Peter’s report of his miraculous delivery 2. his instruction to tell the news to James 3. his departure for “another place” where he could find refuge. In verses 18-19a we read that the guards wake up and found no one attached to their chains as well as no evidence of an escape other then the fact that Peter was gone. Agrippa finding this out had the guards executed.
We then read of Herod’s self-destructive arrogance. We read of Agrippa going to Caesarea where he would sit down with two groups he had been quarreling with. They worked out peace between each other and after Herod spoke they thought he was a “god” and because he accepted that praise and did not give God the praise He was violently killed and eaten by worms (v. 23).
The last two verses tells us that the Word of God continued to spread and with the removal of Agrippa the persecution of the church had ended. Verse 25 moves to the return of Paul and Barnabas to Antioch on completion of their mission of delivering the famine relief offering (11:30). They also took their companion John Mark and the church at Antioch would soon send the three of them on a mission which we will read about in chapter 13.
keithoconnor 