Acts 12
Summary. In this chapter, the disciples of the Lord encounter persecution at the hands of Herod, the evil king. However, the Lord's plan to spread the word of God cannot be thwarted. God Almighty performed miraculous wonders to assist the disciples, who remained steadfast in their faith. Acts 12:1-5. The apostle James killed, and the apostle Peter imprisoned. The enemy of the believers with a heart full of evil thoughts harmed the followers of the Lord Jesus. Many perished, but the Lord God Almighty has His eyes always upon His children to help them stay firm in faith. Acts 12:6-11. The apostle Peter is released from prison by the angel of the Lord. The Lord God Almighty sent His angel to miraculously rescue Peter from the prison where he was securely guarded and locked in chains. Peter, with a heart full of faith, literally followed the angel's commands, even when at first, he thought it was a vision, and because of his faith, he was set free. Acts 12:12-17. The apostle Peter visits a house of worship. Peter, by the Lord's guidance, went to the house of Mary, the mother of Mark, where believers were gathered to worship. The apostle reported to all believers what happened to him. This miraculous escape story will strengthen the faith of all believers who have heard it. Acts 12:18-23. The death of the evil king. Herod, the evil king, committed more evil by putting the guards to death after Peter's escape. Then, in his evil behavior, he gave an oration to receive praise from people. However, an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give God the glory. The Lord God Almighty allowed the angel to send worms to eat him alive. Acts 12:24-25. The word of God increased and multiplied. Under persecutions and hardships, the disciples of the Lord continued firm in faith, and the word of God grew and multiplied. Faithful disciples also traveled to far lands to spread the good news.
1
Now at that time, Herod the king put forth the hands to harm certain of those of the church.
Comments Acts 12:1
The enemy of the believers with a heart full of evil thoughts laid hands upon the Lord God Almighty's children. Many perished, but the Lord God Almighty, has His eyes always upon His children; the death of believers will stir up the hearts of many to stay firm in faith.
2
And he killed James, the brother of John, with the sword.
Comments Acts 12:2
The faithful servant of the Lord God Almighty has been killed, but the brother, also a faithful servant of the Lord, the death of his own brother did not make him turn away from the Lord God Almighty. Let all believers pay attention to this verse, stay firm in faith in the Lord God Almighty, and the result will turn out well for your soul.
3
Now having seen that it is pleasing to the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. And these were days of the Unleavened bread.
Comments Acts 12:3
“Now having seen that it is pleasing to the Jews.” When humans want to do things that they know are wrong in the eyes of the Lord God Almighty, their urge to fulfill their desires and gain favors makes them commit evil deeds, despite having uneasy feelings.
“He proceeded to seize Peter also.” To do evil, the dark mind will be guided to go deeper in the act itself; the evil itself guided the act of arresting the apostle, but the Lord God Almighty let His faithful servant go through hardship in order to strengthen the faith itself.
“And these were days of the Unleavened bread.” The day that the Lord God Almighty set apart for worship is the chosen day for the evil to perform the act as well. Let all readers give attention, in this verse itself, it is a confrontation between evil and the Lord God Almighty, by using the blessed day to punish the faithful servant. In this time, the Lord God Almighty has not acted in revenge, but this is the path the evil chose to walk down to be judged; the judgment upon the dark will be harder than they themselves can imagine.
“He proceeded to seize Peter also.” To do evil, the dark mind will be guided to go deeper in the act itself; the evil itself guided the act of arresting the apostle, but the Lord God Almighty let His faithful servant go through hardship in order to strengthen the faith itself.
“And these were days of the Unleavened bread.” The day that the Lord God Almighty set apart for worship is the chosen day for the evil to perform the act as well. Let all readers give attention, in this verse itself, it is a confrontation between evil and the Lord God Almighty, by using the blessed day to punish the faithful servant. In this time, the Lord God Almighty has not acted in revenge, but this is the path the evil chose to walk down to be judged; the judgment upon the dark will be harder than they themselves can imagine.
4
Whom also having seized, he put in prison, having delivered him to four squads of soldiers to guard him; intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people.
Comments Acts 12:4
“Whom also having seized ...” The human leader was afraid of the power of the believer; to guard a common prisoner using this amount of soldiers showed fear of the uncertainty of what could happen. The leaders were afraid that people who had faith in the Lord God Almighty would rise up and fight against them.
“Intending after the Passover ...” In order to calm down the people, they arrest the apostle and wait until the important day is over. The human leader believed that after the people had finished the celebration, their minds would be at peace, and they would want to return home; then, they could judge the disciple without any problems from the people.
“Intending after the Passover ...” In order to calm down the people, they arrest the apostle and wait until the important day is over. The human leader believed that after the people had finished the celebration, their minds would be at peace, and they would want to return home; then, they could judge the disciple without any problems from the people.
5
Peter, therefore, indeed, was kept in the prison; however, prayer was made earnestly by the church to God for him.
Comments Acts 12:5
Give attention, all readers, for this verse instructs you: with a heart full of love for God, all believers pray together, begging the Lord God Almighty's mercy for His apostle; everyone should take this as an example.
6
Then, when Herod was about to bring him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, having been bound with two chains, guards also before the door were keeping the prison.
Comments Acts 12:6
Think of the picture: the prisoner has been kept in this way. Who is this prisoner that has the power to be afraid of? Even the leader of humans was fearful and guarded him with many soldiers; this leader was not fighting with the apostle, but with the Lord God Almighty Himself.
7
And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by, and a light shone in the cell; and having struck Peter on the side, he awoke him, saying, Rise up quickly. And the chains fell off from his hands.
Comments Acts 12:7
“And behold, an angel of the Lord ...” When the Lord God Almighty sends His angel to do the work, that angel will also have the light from the Father shining out; that light from the angel will have meaning and will also cause those who see it to notice.
“And having struck Peter on the side ...” When the angel of the Lord God Almighty appeared, the human would not notice, and the angel had to touch the human in order to make the human's mind alert and notice the presence of the angel.
“And the chains fell off from his hands.” The faithful servant could not have chains on him because the angel of the Lord God Almighty had the power to remove them.
“And having struck Peter on the side ...” When the angel of the Lord God Almighty appeared, the human would not notice, and the angel had to touch the human in order to make the human's mind alert and notice the presence of the angel.
“And the chains fell off from his hands.” The faithful servant could not have chains on him because the angel of the Lord God Almighty had the power to remove them.
8
Then the angel said to him, Gird yourself, and bind on your sandals. And he did so. And he says to him, Wrap your garment and follow me.
Comments Acts 12:8
“Then the angel said to him ...” This command is a common command for the apostle to follow to go out walking outside among people; the faithful servant had to dress properly as well.
“And he says to him ...” In order for the human to be free from prison, he must follow the angel, which will open the doors and the blockages for the human to walk out.
“And he says to him ...” In order for the human to be free from prison, he must follow the angel, which will open the doors and the blockages for the human to walk out.
9
And having gone forth, he followed and did not know that it was true what was done by the angel; however, he thought he saw a vision.
Comments Acts 12:9
“And having gone forth ...” The faithful servant believed in the Lord God Almighty, and what he saw, he believed it was true, and followed without question. The Lord God Almighty has chosen the faithful servant because of his heart, which was willing to obey even when he thought it wasn’t real.
“However, he thought he saw a vision.” Action performed, mind followed, but heart believed that the Lord God Almighty gave him spiritual eyes to see what could happen for him, and by following, he would see the freedom in the spiritual world.
“However, he thought he saw a vision.” Action performed, mind followed, but heart believed that the Lord God Almighty gave him spiritual eyes to see what could happen for him, and by following, he would see the freedom in the spiritual world.
10
Then having passed through the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened to them by itself; and having gone out, they passed on through one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.
Comments Acts 12:10
“Then having passed through the first ...” In the eyes of the faithful servant, he had seen how the humans around him acted, also the objects, and also, he had felt himself walking through, and no one interrupted or blocked the way but made the path clear; all these things have made the faithful servant's heart believe it was not the real thing but a vision.
“And having gone out ...” When the physical body of the faithful servant was freed from prison, the Lord's angel departed and left the faithful servant standing there alone.
“And having gone out ...” When the physical body of the faithful servant was freed from prison, the Lord's angel departed and left the faithful servant standing there alone.
11
And Peter having come to himself, said, Now I know of a truth, that the Lord has sent forth H is angel and delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.
Comments Acts 12:11
Now, the servant of the Lord God Almighty came to realize that the Lord had a purpose for his life; and now, the calling had come upon him, and his heart was ready to follow.
12
And having considered it, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John who is called Mark, where many were gathered together and praying.
Comments Acts 12:12
The Lord's servant came to the place where many were gathered together, and there, the Lord's servant met more people who had faith and prayed together; people who had the same faith joined together in this place to praise the Lord God Almighty.
13
Then, he, having knocked at the door of the gate, a slave girl came to answer, named Rhoda.
Comments Acts 12:13
The faithful servant of the Lord God Almighty was led to the house where believers gathered together to glorify the Lord. With a faithful heart, the servant of the Lord followed the guide that the Lord God Almighty had put into his heart on where to go.
14
And having recognized Peter's voice, she did not open the gate for joy, but having run in, she reported Peter to be standing before the gate.
Comments Acts 12:14
“And having recognized Peter's voice ...” The servant of the Lord God Almighty was well known to people; even the maidservant could recognize his voice. In her heart, full of joy, she forgot her duty and just wanted to let everybody know, and be happy as she was feeling at that moment.
“She reported Peter to be standing before the gate.” Pay attention to what the verse tells us. With the joy in her heart, she reported that the faithful servant of the Lord God Almighty is here. This news would not be easy to accept for people, as every heart knew what had happened to the Lord's servant.
“She reported Peter to be standing before the gate.” Pay attention to what the verse tells us. With the joy in her heart, she reported that the faithful servant of the Lord God Almighty is here. This news would not be easy to accept for people, as every heart knew what had happened to the Lord's servant.
15
And they said to her, You are out of your mind. But she confidently affirmed to be so. And they said, It is his angel.
Comments Acts 12:15
“And they said to her ...” The apostle of the Lord God Almighty appeared unexpectedly at this worship place. When the maidservant confirmed that it was the apostle himself, the believers still thought it was not him but his angel of the Lord.
“And they said, It is his angel.” In the believers' hearts, when the apostle who had been assumed dead appeared alive, what the maidservant saw must have been only his angel, not himself; and the Lord God Almighty had allowed his angel to appear to human eyes to see him.
“And they said, It is his angel.” In the believers' hearts, when the apostle who had been assumed dead appeared alive, what the maidservant saw must have been only his angel, not himself; and the Lord God Almighty had allowed his angel to appear to human eyes to see him.
16
But Peter continued knocking; then having opened, they saw him, and were amazed.
Comments Acts 12:16
The apostle did not give up; he continued knocking, calling the believers to come and open the door. The Lord God Almighty worked in their hearts to open the door and see him with their own eyes; the miracle happened in front of many witnesses at this time. Everyone felt amazed, because the dead was standing in front of their eyes at this time. They all thought that because of the way he was captured, the only way for him to get out was not as a living person but as a dead one.
17
Then, having made a sign to them with the hand to be silent, he declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Tell these things to James, and to the brothers. And having departed, he went to another place.
Comments Acts 12:17
“Then, having made a sign to them ...” The apostle tells all believers what happened to him. By the mercy of the Lord God Almighty, He took him out of prison. This story will strengthen the faith of all believers who have heard it.
“And he said, Tell these things to James ...” The apostle gave specific names to the believers to whom this message was to reach first. This instruction, the apostle had received from the Lord God Almighty, to whom the information needed to reach, and their faith will grow as well.
“And having departed, he went to another place.” The apostle of the Lord God Almighty departed from these believers to go to another place that the Lord God Almighty had given him to do work.
“And he said, Tell these things to James ...” The apostle gave specific names to the believers to whom this message was to reach first. This instruction, the apostle had received from the Lord God Almighty, to whom the information needed to reach, and their faith will grow as well.
“And having departed, he went to another place.” The apostle of the Lord God Almighty departed from these believers to go to another place that the Lord God Almighty had given him to do work.
18
Now day having come, there was no small disturbance among the soldiers, what then has become of Peter.
Comments Acts 12:18
This miracle also made an impact on the outsiders' hearts as well; the door and the gate were still locked, but where had the prisoner gone? Every heart was also disturbed because of what had happened to the prisoner.
19
Then, Herod having sought after him, and having found him not, having examined the guards, he commanded them to be put to death. And having gone down from Judea to Caesarea, he tarried there.
Comments Acts 12:19
“Then, Herod having sought after him ...” Humans treat each other worse than they treat animals. Humans have set this human to be king over them, and this human king treated humans as if they were of no value. However, the humans refuse to accept the true King, the Lord God Almighty, as their true King, but rather keep the human king to rule over them.
“And having gone down from Judea ...” After committing the evil deed and sending forth orders to harm the believers, the human ruler found a place to rest and watched the result of his evil deeds.
“And having gone down from Judea ...” After committing the evil deed and sending forth orders to harm the believers, the human ruler found a place to rest and watched the result of his evil deeds.
20
Now he had been furiously angry with the Tyrians and Sidonians; and they came with one accord to him. And having persuaded Blastus, who was over the king's bedchamber, they asked for peace, because their country was nourished by the king's.
Comments Acts 12:20
“Now he had been furiously angry ...” The human mind, which craves more power, becomes jealous when looking at someone else who appears to have more things; jealousy will cover the heart of the man.
“And they came with one accord to him.” The other humans looking for support came to the evil man, but they did not know what the evil man would do to them instead of helping.
“And having persuaded Blastus ...” Give attention, all readers, to the way humans try to get a positive word from the stranger. All will seek someone that they believe can influence someone else in helping, and when they themselves are in need, they seek this type of person to help them. The life lessons for every human will also teach them who they should go to.
“And they came with one accord to him.” The other humans looking for support came to the evil man, but they did not know what the evil man would do to them instead of helping.
“And having persuaded Blastus ...” Give attention, all readers, to the way humans try to get a positive word from the stranger. All will seek someone that they believe can influence someone else in helping, and when they themselves are in need, they seek this type of person to help them. The life lessons for every human will also teach them who they should go to.
21
Now on the appointed day, Herod having put on royal apparel, and having sat on the throne, was making an oration to them.
Comments Acts 12:21
The human leader dressed in their most majestic clothes they have in order to put pressure on the ones who look upon them. The clothes will make humans look powerful, and this human leader feels himself powerful above all when dressed in his majestic clothes. The clothes will tell the rank of humans, to make the lower people worship them.
22
And the people shouted, The voice of a god, and not of a man.
Comments Acts 12:22
The way the ruler man behaved toward people, with his precious dress, made him have power, and people lived in fear and glorified the man as a god to please him. However, this glorification was an untrue action that people gave toward this man. When people are afraid of the ruler, they will say what they believe pleases the leader.
23
Then immediately an angel of the Lord smote him, because he did not give God the glory; and having been eaten by worms, he gave up the ghost.
Comments Acts 12:23
“Then immediately an angel of the Lord ...” The human ruler did not stop people when he had the power to do so. The guilt becomes the ruler's guilt, not the people's, because the people speak out of fear, but the ruler takes glory in receiving the praises that way.
“And having been eaten by worms ...” Let all readers think as well, how long it would take for this person to die, when the little worms were eating his body alive. The Lord God Almighty allowed the angel to send these worms to do the job. When this human ruler wanted to blaspheme the Lord God Almighty, this is the punishment he received at that time.
“And having been eaten by worms ...” Let all readers think as well, how long it would take for this person to die, when the little worms were eating his body alive. The Lord God Almighty allowed the angel to send these worms to do the job. When this human ruler wanted to blaspheme the Lord God Almighty, this is the punishment he received at that time.
24
But the word of God grew and multiplied.
Comments Acts 12:24
When the evil ruler attempted to stop the work of the Lord God Almighty, they were unaware that this would make the word spread further. The hardships and troubles made the hearts of people stay firm and seek the Word of the Lord God Almighty more fervently.
25
Then, Barnabas and Saul returned to Jerusalem, having fulfilled the mission, taking with them John, who was called Mark.
Comments Acts 12:25
“Then, Barnabas and Saul ...” The disciples of the Lord God Almighty, with faithful hearts, traveled long distances to spread the Word of God, the good news spreading out among people, and the Lord God Almighty went with His disciples for the work.
“Taking with them John ...” Also, the disciples had found another believer, who had a heart full of faith and wanted to work in spreading the good news. They all travelled together to distant lands to spread the good news.
“Taking with them John ...” Also, the disciples had found another believer, who had a heart full of faith and wanted to work in spreading the good news. They all travelled together to distant lands to spread the good news.
Life and faith applications. 1) We must stay firm in faith even during difficult times in our lives, and the result will turn out well for our souls. 2) The Lord God Almighty cares for His children, and we should trust that He can rescue us from our troubles in miraculous ways. 3) We should not praise leaders and people for gaining favors or out of fear. 4) We must fear the Lord God Almighty and worship the Trinity of God from our hearts, in the name of our Lord Jesus. 5) Pray for fellow believers who are facing challenges, even those who are far away. 6) Support missionary work to spread the good news about the Lord Jesus.