Acts 12
James Killed and Peter Imprisoned
1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. Parallel theme: Matthew 24:9, Luke 22:53, John 15:20, 16:2
2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
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 to bring him forth to the people. Parallel theme: Acts 4:28, Proverbs 19:21, Luke 21:12, 22:33
5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
Peter's Miraculous Escape
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.
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.
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.
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. Prayer: Acts 12:5. References John: Acts 12:25, 13:5, 13:13. Parallel theme: Isaiah 65:24, Colossians 4:10, 2 Timothy 4:11, Philemon 1:24 +3
13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.
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. Parallel theme: Matthew 28:8, Luke 24:41
15 And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angelAngel: ἄγγελος (Angelos). The Greek angelos (ἄγγελος) means angel or messenger. Angels announced Christ's birth (Luke 2:9-14), ministered to Him (Matthew 4:11), and will accompany His return (Matthew 25:31).. Parallel theme: Acts 26:24, Matthew 18:10, Mark 16:11, 16:14, Luke 24:11
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 LordLord: Κύριος (Kurios). The Greek Kurios (Κύριος) means 'lord' or 'master,' used both for human masters and divinely for God the Father and Jesus Christ. Its application to Jesus affirms His deity, as it translates YHWH in the Septuagint. 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. References Lord: Galatians 1:19. Peace: Acts 15:13. Parallel theme: Acts 13:16, 19:33, 21:18, 21:40, Matthew 10:23, 1 Corinthians 15:7, Galatians 2:9, 2:12 +5
18 Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.
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.
The Death of Herod
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. Kingdom: Ezra 3:7. Parallel theme: Ezekiel 27:17, Luke 16:8
21 And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.
22 And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a godGod: Θεός (Theos). The Greek Theos (Θεός) refers to deity, used both for the one true God and false gods. Context determines whether it denotes the Father specifically or the Godhead generally., and not of a man.
23 And immediately the angelAngel: ἄγγελος (Angelos). The Greek angelos (ἄγγελος) means angel or messenger. Angels announced Christ's birth (Luke 2:9-14), ministered to Him (Matthew 4:11), and will accompany His return (Matthew 25:31). of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost. References God: Job 19:26, Ezekiel 28:2, 2 Thessalonians 2:4. References Lord: 1 Samuel 25:38. Glory: Psalms 115:1. Parallel theme: Job 7:5, Isaiah 14:11, 37:23, 51:8, 66:24 +5
24 But the word of God grew and multiplied.
25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark. References John: Acts 12:12, 15:37. Parallel theme: Acts 4:36, 1 Peter 5:13