Acts 12:1–19
NOW about that time Herod the king (the grandson of Herod the Great) stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. (Troubles seldom come alone; first the famine, then persecution; the church can endure all things.)
3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)
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 (or rather after the Passover) to bring him forth to the people.
5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. (What a blessed “but”! Constant guards were baffled by constant prayer. Some would have said, “what can prayer do?” but the early church was not afflicted with such scepticism; they prayed on, and Herod was foiled.)
6, 7 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. 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.
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. (The Lord’s deliverances are complete ones; Peter must not leave a shoe or a garment in prison, he is to come out with all that he took in.)
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.
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.
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 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. (He knew where the brethren prayed, and expected to find them there, and so he did. If he were to come now would he find church members at prayer-meetings? Alas, many of them never go to what they wickedly call “only a prayer-meeting.”)
13, 14 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda (or Rose). 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.
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. (If God wishes to surprise his people he has only to answer their prayers, such is their unbelief.)
16 But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.
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 (the Lord’s brother), and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place. (This is a notable instance of the power of supplication, and those who will but try it will find prayer to be as mighty as ever.)
18, 19 Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter. And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death.
Wrestling prayer can wonders do,
Bring relief in deepest straits,
Prayer can force a passage through
Iron bars and brazen gates.
For the wonders God has wrought,
Let us now our praises give:
And, by sweet experience taught,
Call upon him while we live.1
1 Spurgeon, C. H. (1964). The Interpreter: Spurgeon’s Devotional Bible (p. 650). Baker Book House.
“Our character ultimately defines us, and the evidence presented suggests a troubling disconnect between public persona and private conduct.”
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