Scripture Notes: Peter in Prison (Acts 12)

Danger surrounded the early Church in the early 40s AD. James, son of Zebedee, brother of John, one of the Sons of Thunder, was martyred about 42 or 43 AD by the order of King Herod Agrippa (grandson of Herod the Great, who tried to kill the infant Jesus). Seeing that the Jews were quite pleased with James’ death, Herod set his sights on Peter next.

Peter, who was just as unwilling as James to denounce his faith in Jesus, soon found himself in prison, chained up, forced to sleep between two guards, and awaiting a “trial” that would mostly like lead to his death. Except that was not God’s plan.

It was the middle of the night, and Peter was sound asleep when someone poked him. Imagine his surprise when he woke up, rubbed his eyes, and saw an angel standing before him. He actually thought he must be seeing some kind of vision, but when the angel told him to get up and get dressed, he obeyed at once, revealing his docility and humility. He did not have to understand; he simply had to follow. And follow he did. The angel let him out of the cell, out of the prison, as the gates opened by themselves, and down the street. 

Then the angel disappeared, leaving Peter to realize that this whole thing really was real. His heart must have been filled with awe and gratitude at what God had just done for him. He hurried to share the news with his fellow Christians, likely keeping to the shadows, but when he got to the house, the maid, Rhoda, opened the door but was so shocked and excited to see Peter that she slammed the door in his face and hurried off to tell the others. Peter probably chuckled as the embarrassed maid finally let him in. He briefly rejoiced with his companions and then headed back out, unwilling to imperil the Church and mindful of his own danger, especially when the guards woke up in the morning to notice Peter gone.