Acts 12:12-25

PETER RETURNS TO HIS FELLOW BELIEVERS: Acts 12:12-17

        After Peter realized that he was free he made his way to the house of Mary the mother of John Mark. This was one of the major meeting houses for the Christians in the city of Jerusalem. There were many gathered there praying.

        Peter is then found knocking at the door of the gate. A servant girl named Rhoda goes to see who is at the door. Verse 14 informs us that she recognized Peter’s voice but because of joy she did not let him in. She went back to tell the rest that it was Peter at the door. Verse 15 tells us that they did not believe her. She kept insisting and Peter kept knocking. Finaly the rest of those gathered for prayer went to the door and opened it and sure enough there was Peter in the flesh.

        Peter then told them to be silent. He then described to them how God had released him from the clutches of Herod Agrippa. He told them to report these things to James and the brethren. This James was the Lord’s half-brother and the one who would preside over the Jerusalem Conference in the 15^th chapter. He was apparently one of the leaders in the church in Jerusalem. Here we’re told that Peter depart4ed to another place. Where did he go? We’re not told.

HEROD EXECUTES THE GUARDS: Acts 12:18-19

        The next morning it was discovered that Peter was gone. Nobody had an explanation for his escape. Verse 19 says that even Herod looked for him. He examined the guards personally. He then ordered their execution. It is then told that Herod departed and went down from Judea to Caesarea. This would put the events in the next verse happening in A.D. 44.

THE DEATH OF HEROD AGRIPPA: Acts 12:20-23

        The text tells us that Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. The people from these areas came to see Herod. It says they won over Blastus, the king’s chamberlain. They were asking for peace. Verse 21 states “and on an appointed day…” Josephus tells us that this was the second day of the games held in Caesarea in honor of Caesar. The text continues that Herod put on his royal robes and took a seat on the rostrum. He then began an address to the people. What it was about neither Luke or Josephus reveals. In verse 22 the people were overcome and were shouting, “the voice of a god and not of a man.” It was at that time that an angel of the Lord struck him. Herod Agrippa, I had been willing to let the people regard him as a god and it cost him his life. Why? Because he did not give the God of Heaven the glory. The text tells us that he was eaten up with worms and dies.

THE RETURN OF BARNABUS AND SAUL; Acts 12:24-25

        Verse 24 informs us that the Word of the Lord continued to be spread and the church grew and multiplied. In verse 25 we’re reintroduced to Barnabus and Saul. It says they returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their mission. Returned where? To Antioch of Syria. The text tells us that when they returned, they brought John Mark with them.

        We invite you to be with us next time as we study together the 13^th chapter of Acts. This chapter starts the First Missionary Journey. This, being a long chapter, we might divide it into more than one article. Until we meet again, Maranatha!