Acts Chapter Twelve

 Act 12:1  And at that time Herod the king put forth the hands to oppress some of those of the assembly. 

Act 12:2  And with a sword he did away with James the brother of John. 

Act 12:3  And seeing that it was pleasing to the Jews, he added also to seize Peter, (and they were the days of Unleavened Bread ) 

Act 12:4  whom also capturing him, he put him into prison, delivering him to four sets of four soldiers to guard him, intending to bring him up to the people after the Passover. 

Act 12:5  Then Peter was indeed kept in the prison, but fervent prayer was made by the assembly to God on his behalf. 

Act 12:6  But when Herod was about to bring him out, in that night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, being bound with two chains, also guards were keeping the prison before the door. 

Act 12:7  And, behold! An angel of the Lord stood by, and a light shone in the building. And striking Peter's side, he raised him up, saying, Rise up in haste! And the chains fell off from his hands. 

Act 12:8  And the angel said to him, Gird yourself, and bind on your sandals. And he did so. And he said to him, Throw around your garment and follow me. 

Act 12:9  And going out, he followed him, and did not know that this happening through the angel was real, but he thought he saw a vision. 

Act 12:10  And going through a first and a second guard, they came on the iron gate leading into the city, which opened to them of itself. And going out, they went on one street; and instantly the angel withdrew from him. 

Act 12:11  And having come, Peter said within himself, Now I know truly that the Lord sent out His angel and plucked me out of Herod's hand, and out of all the expectation of the people of the Jews. 

Act 12:12  And considering, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, the one being surnamed Mark, where many were gathered together, and praying. 

Act 12:13  And Peter was knocking at the door of the porch, and a servant girl named Rhoda came near to listen. 

Act 12:14  And recognizing Peter's voice, from joy she did not open the porch, but running in she reported Peter was standing before the porch. 

Act 12:15  But they said to her, You are raving. But she insisted, holding it to be so. And they said, It is his angel. 

Act 12:16  But Peter kept on knocking. And opening, they saw him and were amazed. 

Act 12:17  And signaling to them with the hand to be silent, he told them how the Lord led him out of the prison. And he said, Report these things to James and the brothers. And going out, he went to another place. 

Act 12:18  And day having come, there was not a little disturbance among the soldiers, saying, What, then, became of Peter? 

Act 12:19  And searching for him, and not finding him, examining the guards, Herod commanded them to be led away. And going down from Judea to Caesarea, he stayed. 

Act 12:20  And Herod was in bitter hostility with the Tyrians and Sidonians. But with one passion they came to him. And persuading Blastus, the one over the king's bedroom, they begged peace, because their country was fed from the royal bounty. 

Act 12:21  And on a set day, having been clothed in a regal garment, and sitting on the tribunal, Herod made a speech to them. 

Act 12:22  And the mass of people cried out, The voice of a god, and not of a man! 

Act 12:23  And instantly an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give the glory to God. And having been eaten by worms, his soul went out. 

Act 12:24  But the Word of God grew and increased. 

Act 12:25  And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, having fulfilled the service, and having taken with them the one surnamed Mark. 

ACTS CHAPTER TWELVE

MURDER TO PLEASE OTHERS

Verses 1-5: Herod is looking to please the Jews. He kills James, the brother of John. He has Peter captured an imprisoned.

1. Read some history on the Herod Kings. Why would this king want to please the Jews? 
The Herod kings were Rome installed leaders over Israel. They were not particularly liked. Herod the Great did rebuild the temple but it must be noted that keeping peace in the region was the likely goal for that project. A peaceful region drew little or no attention from Rome and ensured a steady flow of taxes.

2. Why were there so many guards to watch one man? Peter has already been extricated from prison (by an angel), dumbfounding his captors. It wasn't going to happen again. 

Additional: Consider the feast that was occurring during this time. What should have been the focus of the people? This was Passover. Inaugurated as a solemn occasion to remember freedom by the hand of God from Egypt. It was a time for reflection, thanksgiving and rejoicing. The focus was supposed to be on Jehovah.

Verses 6-10: Peter is well guarded, but an angel comes to him and helps him escape. Peter is unsure if what is happening is even real. He is led through a gate to the city and the angel departs.

3. Considering all the noisy things going on, why didn’t the guards wake up? Assuming they were asleep, or even if they were awake, this was a miracle. A work by the hand of God to deliver Peter and send a message.

Verses 11-17: Peter goes to Mary's house, the mother of John Mark. He knocks at the door of the front porch. See hears Peter's voice and runs off to tell the others (and forgets to open the door). Everyone thinks she is mad. They assumed Peter to be dead like James (a son of Zebedee). Peter continues to knock and they let him in. He recounts how the Lord has rescued him. Then he leaves.

4. Explain Rhoda’s reaction. The room had to be very somber. James had already been killed and now Peter was in custody for the assumed same reason. Her sorrow turns to joy to find him alive. 

Verses 18-19: The guards report that Peter had escaped. The guards are "led away" (for punishment).

5. Why is the punishment of the guards important to the story? (KJV- “put to death”) - No guard, especially an unbeliever, would find it acceptable to be punished or executed for a cause they hated. If they were believers, then they possible paid with their lives (as evidence to the reliability of the gospel).

Verses 20-25: The Tyrians and Sidonians are at odds with Herod. They come to him seeking peace. He dons some royal apparel and gives a speech. The crowd essentially call him a god for his speaking. Herod does not dis agree. He is struck dead for not giving God the glory  

6. Herod’s sudden death has been recorded in the secular world. Why were the people worshiping him? The rift between the coastal city of Cesarea and Tyre/Sidon was likely financially oppressive enough that the citizens looked to play on Herod's ego. They were looking for some relief/favors, so a little fake flattery was perceived as a small price to get what they wanted.

7. What lessons can we learn from Herod and his citizens? People are people and need to keep things real in business. If your superior loves to have his ego stroked, there is an honest way to it, even with someone as treacherous as Herod. Leave God out of it (except maybe for some prayer beforehand).