20160613 Saturday, June 13 2016
Acts 12: Peter's Escape From Prison and The Death Of Herod Agrippa

by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

"And, behold, the angel of the LORD came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands"

There are primarily four men named Herod in the Biblical record (see also A History Of Jerusalem: The Herodian Dynasty).

Herod The Great, who attempted to kill the Messiah as an infant (see Escape From Herod and The Rachel's Children Prophecy).

Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great, who murdered John the Baptist (see How Did The Messiah Free John The Baptist From Prison?) and before whom the Messiah was taken on the night before the Crucifixion (see How Did The Messiah Observe His Last Passover? and The Day That The Messiah Was Crucified).

Herod Agrippa I, the grandson of Herod the Great, who is the subject of this study.

Herod Agrippa II, the son of Herod Agrippa I, before whom the apostle Paul appeared after his arrest (see In The Court Of The Happy Pig).

Herod Agrippa I murdered the apostle James, the brother of the apostle John, who were two of the twelve apostles (see Why Were The First Apostles Fishermen Instead Of Carpenters?). Herod then imprisoned the apostle Peter with the intent to kill him too (the "Easter" of Acts 12:4 in the King James Version should have been translated as Passover, as most other translations do, since that is the word, and the intended observance, that was originally written in the Scriptures).

It was not to be for Peter however. The LORD (see The Identity Of The LORD God and The LORD God Our Saviour) sent an angel to remove him from Herod's prison.

"12:1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. 12:2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.

12:3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) 12:4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.

12:5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

12:6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. 12:7 And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.

12:8 And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. 12:9 And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. 12:10 When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.

12:11 And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.

12:12 And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying. 12:13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. 12:14 And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.

12:15 And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.

12:16 But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished. 12:17 But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.

12:18 Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter. 12:19 And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there abode." (Acts 12:1-19 KJV)

Herod's evil mouth finally finished him. One last blasphemy, and he was done.

"12:20 And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's country.

12:21 And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. 12:22 And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. 12:23 And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.

12:24 But the word of God grew and multiplied.

12:25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark." (Acts 12:20-25 KJV)

Fact Finder: What was the connection to Peter and John Mark?
See Mark: Was It John Mark?