Unlikely Leaders

An Angel Delivers Peter From Prison

This chapter is based on Acts 12:1-23.

“About that time Herod the king laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the church.” Herod Agrippa, who ruled under Claudius the Roman emperor, professed to be a convert to the Jewish faith. Wanting to gain the favor of the Jews and hoping that this would protect his position and honors, he proceeded to persecute the church of Christ. He threw James, the brother of John, into prison and sent an executioner to kill him. When he saw that this greatly pleased the Jews, he imprisoned Peter also. ULe 54.1

The death of James brought the believers great distress. When Peter was also imprisoned, the entire church fasted and prayed. ULe 54.2

The Jews praised Herod’s act in putting James to death, though some held that a public execution would have more thoroughly intimidated the believers. So Herod meant to gratify the Jews even more by making a public spectacle of Peter’s death, but not in front of all the people then assembled in Jerusalem. He was afraid that the sight of Peter being led out to die might excite the pity of the crowds. ULe 54.3

The priests and elders also were afraid that Peter might make one of those powerful appeals to study the life and character of Jesus—appeals that they had been unable to counter. Peter’s zeal had led many to take their stand for the gospel, and the rulers feared that if he were given an opportunity to defend his faith, the crowds who had come to the city to worship would demand his release. ULe 54.4

While, Peter’s execution was being delayed on various pretexts until after Passover, the church had time for heart-searching. They prayed for Peter without stopping, for they felt that the work of Christ could not afford to lose him. ULe 54.5

Meanwhile worshipers from every nation came to the temple, a glittering vision of beauty and grandeur. But Jehovah was no longer to be found in that lovely place. When Christ looked on the interior of the temple for the last time, He said, “See, your house is left to you, desolate” (Matthew 23:38, NRSV). God had withdrawn His presence forever. ULe 54.6