Peter Imprisoned and Freed

MEMORY VERSE: “If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.” —I Peter 4:14

ACTS 12:5-17

THE early disciples were “reproached,” as Peter mentions in our memory verse, by the religious rulers and also by the civil authorities. Herod was one of these persecutors. Perhpas Herod had no special prejudice against Jesus’ followers himself, but he knew that it pleased the Jews when he did imprison and kill them, so he used this as a method of keeping them happy as a subject people under his jurisdiction.—Acts 12:1-4

Herod had Peter arrested and thrown into prison with the idea of having him executed. But he knew enough about Jewish customs and feeling to realize how sacred they held their “days of unleavened bread” and that they would not specially appreciate having even a follower of Jesus murdered to please them during this sacred feast. So Peter was held in prison until after “Easter,” the King James Version says, but the reference is really to the Jewish Passover. The word “passover” is used in the New English Bible and other translations.

Special precautions were taken to make sure that Peter did not escape from the prison, including his being chained to two guards, one on each side. Peter’s great faith and trust in the Lord is indicated by the fact that in this most trying situation he was sleeping. This reminds us of David’s testimony. After explaining that his enemies were increasing and were claiming supremacy over him, David said, “I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me.”—Ps. 3:5,6

Peter also awoke. The King James Version says that an angel of the Lord smote Peter to awaken him. The New English Bible says that the angel tapped him on the shoulder. The angel told Peter to arise, and as he did so the chains fell off from his hands. He was then told to gird himself, to put on his clothes, and to follow the angel.

At this point Peter was not sure just what was happening. He thought he might be having a dream, or a vision. But he followed the angel, and “when they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city.” This iron gate “opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and … forthwith the angel departed from him.” Then Peter came to himself, and 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.”

Peter then went to the home of Mary the mother of John Mark. Here a little company of disciples were holding a prayer meeting on Peter’s behalf. He “knocked at the door of the gate,” and a “damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.” She recognized Peter, and became so excited that she neglected to open the gate, but instead hurried in to where the brethren were praying and informed them that Peter “stood before the gate. And they said unto her, Thou art mad.”

The account does not indicate the nature of the prayers these faithful brethren had been offering for Peter. If they were praying for his release it would seem odd that they should be so incredulous concerning Rhoda’s announcement that Peter was at the gate. However, they knew that the Lord had permitted James to be killed by Herod, and it could well be that they had concluded this would also be the experience of Peter, and were therefore praying that the Lord would sustain him in this final test. Perhaps this was one reason Peter could sleep while, as he supposed, he was awaiting execution.

An important lesson we can glean from this is that the Lord does not permit all of his people to have the same experiences. His providences are different for each of his followers. Probably in Peter’s case the Lord had further important service for him to render this side the veil. Probably he had not yet written his two epistles which have been such a great blessing to the followers of Jesus throughout the age, and the Lord wanted those epistles written.

We are also assured that the Lord is able to protect his people against all physical harm if it be his will to do so. If he permits us to suffer it is because his wisdom sees that this will be the best for us as new creatures in Christ Jesus. When we pray for the Lord’s blessing and guidance, let us learn to leave all our affairs in the Lord’s hands.

QUESTIONS

What was Herod’s motive in persecuting the disciples of Christ?

Relate the story of Peter’s deliverance from prison.

What lessons may we, as Christians, learn from Peter’s experience?

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