Acts 12
Focus: The best way to face hopeless situation is to look into the face of a loving God.
I. We still WONDER WHY 12:2-11
II. God still USES ANGELS 12:7-11, 15, 23
III. Prayer still CHANGES THINGS 12:5
IV. We're still SURPRISED 12:13-15
V. God still JUDGES PRIDE 12:21-24
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Acts 12 - Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible
James was one of the sons of Zebedee, whom Christ told that they should drink of the cup that he was to drink of, and be baptized with the baptism that he was to be baptized with, Mt 20:23. Now the words of Christ were made good in him; and if we suffer with Christ, we shall reign with him. Herod imprisoned Peter: the way of persecution, as of other sins, is downhill; when men are in it, they cannot easily stop. Those make themselves an easy prey to Satan, who make it their business to please men. Thus James finished his course. But Peter, being designed for further services, was safe; though he seemed now marked out for a speedy sacrifice. We that live in a cold, prayerless generation, can hardly form an idea of the earnestness of these holy men of old. But if the Lord should bring on the church an awful persecution like this of Herod, the faithful in Christ would learn what soul-felt prayer is. (Acts 12:6-11)
Acts 12 James Killed and Peter Imprisoned
1About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. 2He killed(A) James the brother of John(B) with the sword, 3and when he saw(C) that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during(D) the days of Unleavened Bread. 4And when he had seized him, he put him(E) in prison, delivering him over to four(F) squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. 5So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest(G) prayer for him was made to God by the church.
Peter Is Rescued
6Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers,(H) bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. 7And behold,(I) an angel of the Lord(J) stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell.(K) He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, "Get up quickly." And(L) the chains fell off his hands. 8And the angel said to him, "Dress yourself and(M) put on your sandals." And he did so. And he said to him, "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me." 9And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but(N) thought he was seeing a vision. 10When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city.(O) It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. 11When Peter(P) came to himself, he said, "Now I am sure that(Q) the Lord has sent his angel and(R) rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting."
12When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of(S) John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and(T) were praying. 13And when he knocked at the door of the gateway,(U) a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14Recognizing Peter's voice,(V) in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. 15They said to her, "You are out of your mind." But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, "It is(W) his angel!" 16But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. 17But(X) motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, "Tell these things to(Y) James and to(Z) the brothers."[a] Then he departed and went to another place.
18Now when day came, there was no little disturbance among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. 19And after Herod searched for him and did not find him, he examined the sentries and(AA) ordered that they should be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and spent time there.
The Death of Herod
20Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they came to him with one accord, and(AB) having persuaded Blastus, the king's chamberlain, they asked for peace, because(AC) their country depended on the king's country for food. 21On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them. 22And the people were shouting, "The voice of a god, and not of a man!" 23Immediately(AD) an angel of the Lord struck him down, because(AE) he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last.
24But(AF) the word of God increased and multiplied.
25(AG) And Barnabas and Saul returned from[b] Jerusalem when they had completed their service, bringing with them(AH) John, whose other name was Mark.
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