The Rescue
The very detailed account of Peter’s rescue from prison and certain execution shows us how important this is. It reveals far more than just a physical rescue but echos the theme of salvation and resurrection. It also contrasts our weakness with God’s sovereign power and reminds us of the critical value of telling everyone what Jesus has done for us.
Scripture
Acts 12:6-19 ESV Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. [7] And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. [8] And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” [9] And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. [10] When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. [11] When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.” [12] When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. [13] And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. [14] Recognizing Peter's voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. [15] They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!” [16] But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. [17] But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell these things to James and to the brothers.” Then he departed and went to another place. [18] Now when day came, there was no little disturbance among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. [19] And after Herod searched for him and did not find him, he examined the sentries and ordered that they should be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and spent time there.
Bible Study Questions
Wretched condition
Herod kills James, John’s brother and takes action to do the same to Peter because of the political gain benefits of indulging the violent desires of the Jewish religious leaders. He’s powerful and under pressure and he puts Peter in a hopeless situation. Who can save Peter when the time is almost up, the odds are against him and he’s asleep? What situation could this describe in your life?
Acts 12:6 ESV Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison.
Ephesians 2:4-10 ESV But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, [5] even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— [6] and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, [7] so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. [8] For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, [9] not a result of works, so that no one may boast. [10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Rough, rushed and real rescue
Our relationship with God can become romanticised in our minds or in discussions amongst each other. We can overlook the seriousness of our own situations or those of the people that God is sending us to help. It’s not all whispers, gentle encouragement and peaceful enlightenment. Our spiritual lives are described as warfare against a powerful enemy. What do you notice about the rescue of Peter, is it calm and casual, or is it rough, rushed and real? What does Peter’s slowness to realise what’s really happening remind us about us as humans?
Acts 12:7-9 ESV And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. [8] And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” [9] And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.
1 Peter 5:8-11 ESV Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. [9] Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. [10] And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. [11] To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
The realisation
After being roughly woken and rushed out of the chains between the first two soldiers, escorted out right before another two sets of guards and passing into the freedom of the street, Peter finally “comes to his senses”. Perhaps that means he’s now fully awake from the deep sleep he was in, perhaps the rescue was just too much to comprehend, whichever it is, Peter now realises the magnitude of what has just happened. What were the “Jewish people” expecting and do you think Peter and the Church may have been expecting the same?
Acts 12:10-11 ESV When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. [11] When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”
Luke 24:25-26 ESV And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! [26] Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?”
Matthew 13:22 ESV As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.
Reaching out
The first thing Peter wants to do when he realises the powerful way that he has been rescued is to share it with the Church. God sends him to the right place at the right time so that he can share the power of God with the praying Church.
Acts 12:12-13 ESV When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. [13] And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer.
1 Peter 3:14-15 ESV But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, [15] but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
Revelation 12:11 ESV And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.
Recognising God’s work
The young girl is so excited to see God’s miraculous intervention in delivering Peter to the door of the believers that she rushes of to share the news before she even lets him in. Those gathered are so earnestly focussed on prayer that they are missing the answer. It’s interesting that their first explanation is her insanity, and the second is a superstition. Why is it so hard for us to believe, even when God has already answered our prayers?
Acts 12:14-15 ESV Recognizing Peter's voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. [15] They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!”
Reassuring the others
The object of Peter reaching out to the Church was surely his love for them and desire to see them, but his immediate focus is to reassure them and those who he instructs to tell about his rescue. He knows he needs to keep moving, God has rescued him to continue his work. After grieving the death of James the brother of John the Apostle, how might the the other Apostles have been feeling, and why was Peter so insistent on sharing this news?
Acts 12:16-17 ESV But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. [17] But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell these things to James and to the brothers.” Then he departed and went to another place.
Psalms 96:3-5 ESV Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! [4] For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods. [5] For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the LORD made the heavens.
Retribution
Peter walks free to continue ministering in Caesarea, Herod is left with painful embarrassment. He has to deal with the inexplicable escape of Peter. What will his political connections say and do, how will he deal with the disappointment of the religious leaders? He’s angry and someone has to pay, why do you think he put the soldiers to death after examining them?
Acts 12:18-19 ESV Now when day came, there was no little disturbance among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. [19] And after Herod searched for him and did not find him, he examined the sentries and ordered that they should be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and spent time there.
Ephesians 6:10-12 ESV Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. [11] Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. [12] For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.