The Death of James and Peter's Escape

During the reign of Herod the king, the monarch initiated a persecution against members of the church in Jerusalem. He killed James, the brother of John, with the sword (Acts 12:2). Upon observing that this action pleased the Jews, Herod proceeded to arrest Simon Peter during the Days of Unleavened Bread. Peter was delivered to four squads of four soldiers each, as Herod intended to bring him before the people after Passover (Acts 12:4). The church offered constant prayer to God for Peter while he was kept in prison.

On the night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, while guards stood before the door. An angel of the Lord appeared, and a light shone in the prison. the angel struck Peter on the side and raised him up, causing the chains to fall off his hands (Acts 12:7). The angel commanded Peter to gird himself, tie his sandals, put on his garment, and follow him. Peter followed the angel past the first and second guard posts to the iron gate leading to the city, which opened of its own accord. After they went out and passed through one street, the angel departed. Peter then realized that the Lord had delivered him from the hand of Herod.

Peter went to the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many were gathered in prayer. When he knocked at the door of the gate, a girl named Rhoda came to answer. Recognizing Peter's voice, she failed to open the gate because of her gladness, but ran in to announce his arrival (Acts 12:14). The people inside initially claimed she was beside herself or that it was his angel, but Peter continued knocking. When they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. Peter motioned with his hand for silence and described how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. He instructed them to tell these things to James and the brethren before departing to another place.