Acts 12 Peter’s Miraculous Release From Prison and Herod’s Death

In today’s reading, King Herod continued to play the political game, arresting members of the church and killing some of them because it made the Jews happy. Herod had Peter arrested during the Passover and heavily guarded. Herod was planning on holding Peter in prison until the Passover was over and then have a public trial. Meanwhile, the church was praying earnestly for Peter.

Things didn’t go as Herod planned, though because God intervened. An angel came into Peter’s cell, woke him up, freed him from his chains and led him out of the prison. Peter thought it was a vision until they were out on the street and the angel left Peter. Realizing that this was God’s work Peter went to Mary’s house, John Mark’s mother.

When Peter knocked Rhoda, a servant girl, came to answer the door. She was so excited that she didn’t open the door, but ran back to the others exclaiming, “Peter is at the door!” It sounds like a scene from a comedy, Peter, who is now a fugitive, is left standing outside, knocking on the door as Rhoda goes screaming through the house that he’s there. At first no one believes her so it takes a few minutes for someone to let Peter in.  

Once the door is opened, there is a lot of commotion as they see Peter. He has to motion for them to be quiet. Can you hear the chaos? Everyone trying to talk over each other. “How did you get here?” “Praise God!” “What happened?” Peter got everyone to quiet down and explain what happened. He then instructed them to tell James and the brothers before leaving. Luke does not tell us where Peter went.

Meanwhile, back at the prison there was another commotion when Peter’s escape was discovered. Herod had a thorough search done, but Peter was not found. Herod’s ruthlessness is demonstrated one last time by ordering the execution of the guards.

Luke tells us that Herod died on his throne because he did not give praise to God. Despite Herod’s efforts, the word of God increased and spread. Barnabas and Saul return to Antioch after they finished their mission.

This is a different kind of miracle that God performs, freeing someone from prison. This is the action of a God who gets directly involved in our lives. This is a God who will free us from our own prison of despair so that we can spread the hope of Jesus. What has God released you from? How can you share your story with others to give them hope?