Persecution by Herod

Acts 12:1-12

The Roman Empire each area was divided up in to areas some what like our states, with a king who ruled it. Unlike our governors, the King was selected by the Roman Empire rather than the people of the area. Herod’s family were politically connected, both in Rome and in Jerusalem, and so were given the position. Herod’s grandfather had been the one who ordered the babies slain in an effort to preserve his political power when Jesus was born.

His father, Archelaus, had been king during Jesus’ childhood. The Jews had tried to manipulate Herod in getting Jesus crucified, and Herod was not very popular, as a king who had been forced on the people against their will. Whether something had been preached that upset him, or to satisfy the Jewish leaders, Herod began to oppress the Christians.

“Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)” (Acts 12:1-3)

Since James was killed with a sword, and not as a result of a trial, it seems likely that an effort to break up a Christian meeting resulted in violence. While Herod himself had no particular opposition to Christianity, the reaction of the Jews convinced him that he could consolidate his political position by persecuting them. Being a typical politician, he was willing to do anything to further his career, so he had Peter arrested, just about the time of the Passover.

“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. Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.” (Acts 12:4-5)

The feast of unleavened bread started the day after the Passover and ran the following seven days. Herod intended to try and then execute Peter after the feast was over, and so assigned four four man squads to keep him. Apparently, he remembered what had happened when the Jewish leaders had arrested Peter and John in Acts 5:17-26 and wanted to prevent a repeat. The Christians were in continual prayer about his safety.

“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. 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. 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.” (Acts 12:6-9)

God frequently allows a problem to go to the point we think he isn’t going to act before resolving it. He allowed Peter to be kept until the night before he was to be executed. Though he was handcuffed between two guards, with other guards at the doors, in the maximum security ward, the angel set him free without disturbing any of the guards. Peter himself thought it was just a vision or dream until he found himself outside.

“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. 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.” (Acts 12:10-11)

Having had walked past numerous armed guards without being seen and having at least two locked doors and the main gate open with no one to turn the key, when he found himself a block from the prison, Peter realized God had truly delivered him from Herod’s power, and from the Jews’ intentions.

After some thought, Peter realized he could let the disciples at Mary’s home know what had happened and they would spread the word that he was safe.

“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.” (Acts 12:12)

John Mark would eventually write the gospel of Mark, and serve as a missionary. His mother had opened her home for the Christians to meet in prayer, and many were there praying when Peter came.