ACTS  12

1 It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them.

2 He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.

3 When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to sieze Peter also. This happened during the Feast of Unleavened Bread .

4 After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squards of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the passover.

 5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.

6 The night before Herod was to bring him to trial. Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance.

 7 Suddenly a angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. Quick get up he said and the chains fell off Peters wrist.

8 Then the angel said to him, Put on your clothes and sandals. and Peter did so. Wrap your cloak around you and follow me, the angel told him.

 9 Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision.

10 They passed the first and the second guards and came to the iron gate heading  to the city. It opened for them by itself and they went through it. When they had  walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.

11 Then Peter came to himself and said, Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herods clutches and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating.

12 When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark where many people had gathered and were praying.

13 Peter knocked at the outer enterance, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer the door.

14 When she recognized Peters voice she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, Peter is at the door.

15 You are out of your mind, they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so they said, It must be his angel.

16 But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.

17 Peter motioned with his hand  for them to be quiet and described how the Lord  had brought him out of prison. Tell James and the brothers about this, he said, and then he left for another place.

18 In the morning, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter.

19 After Herod had a thourgh search made for him and did not find him he cross examined the guards and ordered that they be executed. Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there a while.

20  He had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon; they now joined together and wanted a audience with him. Having secured the support of Blastus, a trusted personal servant of the king they asked for peace, because they depended on the kings country for their food supply. 

21 On the appointed day Herod wearing his royal robes sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people.

22 They shouted, This is the voice of a God not a man.

23 Immediately because Herod did not give praise to God a angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and he died.

24 But the word of God continued to increase and spread.

25 When Barnasbas and Saul had finished their mission, they returned from Jerusalem, taking with them John also called Mark.

He had James the brother of John, put to death with the sword. Acts 12:2

When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. Revelation 6:9

THE DEATH OF JAMES

Thomas J. Grace

The city of Jerusalem is divided for the first time in history with Christians and Jews claiming the city as their home center of their religions. There seems to be a famine as they were warned about by Agabus the Prophet  which required that  supplies from Antioch  be delivered by Barnabas and Saul. Christians have now brought the gospel to Gentiles in many cities but does not seem to be so in Jerusalem. The Christian church is growing around the country because they are doing what the Jews would never allow to bring faith in God to the uncircunsised people who do not follow the law. The Jews still have the politicial power in the city and have convinced the king to take action against the Christian church in Jerusalem.  

         1 King Herod arrested some of the Christians in Jerusalem. This is a new threat as the king did not involve himself in past persecutions brought on by the Sanhedrin. The king would have greater power to punish Christians and soldiers to help him search for and arrest Christians. This is the first government action against Christians which could have worse results such as outlawing Christianity in the country. The king had many other Christians arrested and put in prison as he harassed and threatened the church. Like another Herod who had put to death John the Baptist he will also execute James with the sword and cut off his head.  2 Herod had James the brother of John put to death with the sword. There was no trial or questioning of James as was with the former arrest of Peter and John and some of the apostles when they were brought before the Sanhedrin. This sudden death may have even shocked the Sanhedrin as a king Herod could take this action and meant to solve the Christian problen quickly.

      James one of the first apostles was with Jesus for the entire ministry at His death and resurrection and saw Him ascend to heaven. James was with Jesus when Moses and Elijah appeared and spoke to Christ on the mountain Matthew 17.  It was James with his brother John who asked Jesus Mark 10:37 Let one of us sit on Your rigt hand and the other at your left hand in glory.  Mark 10: 39 Jesus replied You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with. James was the first apostle to drink the cup as he was murdered by Herod. James alone when he died so we do not hear a story of Christ standing at the right hand of God to receive his old friend to be with Him in heaven as we did hear during the trial and execution of Stephen. There were no witnesses to James death to tell us if Jesus had showed him the seat that the Father had choosen for him. James could not have died alone certainly the Holy Spirit was with him the entire time as he left this life to be with the Lord. We certainly dont believe that Jesus our Lord that would die for us who He never spent any time with would neglect His companion and follower for His three years  of ministry  would not get a heavenly welcome. There will be no attempt to replace James as a apostle as Peter had done when Judas had to be replaced. Psalm 109:8 May his days be few may another take his place of leadership. This would be speaking of the traitor being replaced and does not speak of apostle replacements to continue each time one is lost.  Any new apostles from now on would be choosen by God. 

     In the next chapter we will see Paul begin his first missionary journey as a apostle.  Peter doesnot leave Jerusalem when James is killed as many properly did after the death of Stephen.  We do not hear about the reaction of John the brother of James and do not hear about John again in the book of acts and he does not speak about his brothers death in his books. The death of James  the first apostle to be put to death shows the apostles and all who know them that apostles are  subject to death.  they might have thought they would all live until Christ returns or leave this world as Elijah had done.

      3 When Herod saw the death of James did please the Jews he arrested Peter and put him in prison. Did the Jews go to thank the king and ask for more arrest and executions. They were pleased and this made the king willing to arrest more Christians. Now he had arrested Peter the leader the Jews had already arrested twice before and the man that began the ministry to the Gentiles which was the program that most upset the Sanhedrin.  This happened during the Feast of Unleavened Bread when the city would be crowded with visitors who would have complaints about Christians in their towns who were taking people away from their synagogues and preaching to the Gentiles. 4 Peter is securely guarded day and night by at least four men at all times. We are sure Herod was told how Peter and John had escaped from the jail the Sanhedrin had put them in once before Acts 5:23 We found the jail securely locked with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside. Herod wanted to make sure escape would not be possible as he planed the trial that would begin after the Passover.

     Herod wanted a public trial that would result in the death of Peter and a public display for the citizens to call for the removal of all the churches rights to exist. This trial would also cause the citizens to rally and revolt in a citywide persecution of all Christians as they would see their King and Sanhedrin leaders condemm the Christian church they would assume a legal right to attack the church in Jerusalem and throughout the entire country. It was Passover the time of the great deliverance from Egypt and the currupt king there who would destroy them before they could form the nation of Israel. Now they will celebrate Passover with the same desires that the king of Egypt had for them against the Christian church. Passover the same time that they had arrested our Lord Jesus Christ and put Him to death. 

      As Peter sat in prison he must have remembered the Passover years ago with Christ as they celebrated together the Passover Last Supper. He thought of that night how Jesus was arrested, the trial with the false witnesses, his own three denials and the death of Christ. Did he consider the very same fate was soon to be his, his friend and fellow apostle had his head cut off only days before. There was no doubt that the Sanhedrin would ask for his death and that Herod would agree with them and have him executed.  KJV verse 4  tells us instead of Passover the word Easter is used which would mean the Christians were celebrateing the resurrection during the Passover holiday. This would be a sign of further division to the Sanhedrin who would not enjoy any changes to the Passover holiday.

     5 So Peter was kept in prison where he was beaten whipped and beaten again each day just as James would have been before he was executed. They would mock and curse him and his Lord as they beat him. They would tell him if he told them where Saul was we will let you go, Saul was still the traitor they wanted dead. Did they know of Peters three denials if they could force Peter to deny Christ and renounce Christ in public he would be worth more to them alive than dead. What could satan offer Peter for him to deny Christ maybe the next King of Israel. Jesus had warned Peter Luke 22:31,32 Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers. This time in this battle satan would not find a weak Peter that would deny Christ for any reason or offer for his life . They would lie to Peter and tell him that James and the others have betrayed him and denied Christ and if he did the same he would be free like them.  Peter could not be decieved by man or satan he knew the eternal life he was suddenly very close to was greater than any reward these men might be able to provide. The guards like the centurion at the cross when Christ was murdered will not forget Peter while he was being beaten,  how Peter would plead with them to believe in Christ, how he would pray for them and ask God to have mercy on them and forgave them after each beating.

     Did Herod come in to witness this and hear Peter speak of Christ and praise God while he was being whipped and beaten. Maybe some of those guards who were with him day and night and heard him pray and thank God after each beating would listen to Peter and believe in Christ. The church earnestly prayed for Peter as they met in homes around Jerusalem in the house of Mary and another group led by James the brother of Jesus. There would still be other Christians in the prison that would pray for Peter as Peter would pray for them maybe some of the other Christian prisoners were together in the same cell to pray for each other. 

      6 The night before the trial. Peter who had testified twice before the Sanhedrin and told of his faith in Christ and amazed them with his knowledge and boldness before them. Peter would be looking forward to the opportunity to testify about our Lord once again in the kings court. Peters trial had already taken place in the prison there was no need to risk his life in a courtroom where he might be murdered during his testimony. This did almost happen in the Sanhedrin just before Gamaliel spoke to them Acts 5:33 When they heard this they were furious and wanted to put them to death. This was a trial to demonstrate how they intended to put Peter and all Christians to death where no one present would believe Peters testimony. Peter was asleep chained  between two soldiers and guarded with sentries at the door.

     7 A angel come upon Peter this term is spoken of the arrival of the Holy Spirit and may have been a different contact for a angel. A light shined in the prison as Saul  saw a light in the desert when the sun was out. Arise up quickly and the chains fell off Peters hands.  The angel says move quickly was he concerned that Herods soldiers might be coming to the prison to kill Peter in the cell as they did with James.The chains falling to the ground should have woken the guards but no one heard the noise. Was this the same angel that came to the jail where Peter and John were held. Acts 5:19,20 But during the night a angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. Go stand in the temple courts, he said, and tell the people the full message of this new life. That angel gave them instructions they all obeyed but they might have left town to avoid being arrested again. While they were in the temple courts is was certain they would be found and arrested soon. This angel doesnot leave Peter with any instructions or advise but makes sure he reaches a safe area. 8 Peter is confused he may not have had much sleep the past few days he may not have been fed  and was in pain from all his wounds. The angel tells him put on your clothes, sandals, coat these things would be there for him to be ready for his trial in the morning.  Now follow me said the angel. Peter was not well enough to walk out of the prison as he did in Acts 5 and the angel will stay with him. 9 Peter follows the angel but thinks this is all a vision as he walks out of the prison. 10 They passed two sets of guards who might not see a angel walking but should have seen Peter. Were they sleeping or did the angel block their sight so they did not see or recognize Peter. Was the angel with Peter until he was able to think clearly once again and might have been there to heal Peter of all his wounds so he would be able to travel on his own.  The iron gate meant to stop attacking armies that protects the city from invaders has opened by itself. The angel walks with Peter one block and then disappears leaveing Peter to decide where he should go that will besafe and not bring danger to anyone else.  Herod and his soldiers will soon be searching for him and will question anyone who may have known him and helped him escape.

      11 Peter begins to think clearly and now knows where he is and how he arrived there, that the Lord had rescued him from Herod. He then understood all the evil plans the  Jews were ready to do to him and all the Christians in Jerusalem.  They would have false witnesses and false crimes to accuse him of doing. They would take him from the court and stone him publiclly as they did with Stephen. He also knew they would be searching for him from house to house all over Jerusalem and would punish anyone they thought was helping him hide or escape. 12 Peter goes to Marys house the mother of John Mark this may have been the site of the last supper and the appearing of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. This would already be a known site for Christian activity and would be one of the first places Herod would look for Peter.  This is the home where Peter would expect people to be there praying for him. 13 Peter knocks at the outer entrance it does not open for him as the gate did when the angel was with him.  Rhoda came to the door. There are so many people in scripture who we do not learn their name the woman at the well, the man born blind, the widow and her son who Jesus raised from the dead, but this woman who does not open the door and leaves Peter out in the street has her name in scripture. 14 Rhoda must have known Peter well because she knows his voice she runs inside to announce Peter is at the door maybe there was a lock or baracade that Rhoda would need help to open the door. 15 They told Rhoda you are out of your mind and it must be Peters angel. Maybe there was another group praying for Peter that had more faith these people  who were in fear of Herod and his soldiers and might have been praying for their own survival. There may not have ever been a person who has ever escaped from Herods prison and only a miracle was going to save Peters life.  Some there might have thought this was already a trap and when the door opened they would all be arrested.  There seemed to be more fear than faith but they were there praying for several days and had no plans to leave town to escape their own arrest.

      16 Peter keeps knocking and the door opens and they are astonished to see Peter free and alive.  17 Peter tells how the Lord had removed him from the prison with the angel there to assist him and keep him safe. He does not speak of the harm and danger he faced in the prison.  Tell James and the brothers. Peter recognized James as the leader to speak to about this matter, had he been training James as the new leader as he must now believe it will be to dangerous to ever return to Jerusalem.  Peter who would expect to be arrested also may have already given James final instructions for him and the church in case he was killed as James had been.  James remains the leader of the church in Jerusalem until he is stoned to death in the year  AD 61.

     18 The soldiers in the morning discover that Peter is no longer a prisoner and no one knows how this has happened. Herod has the whole prison searched and questions the guards himself to find out if any of them were Christians who might have helped Peter escape. Herod orders that all the guards be executed maybe some of them at this time remembered the story Peter had told them about Christ and how to be saved. there might have been enough time for them to believe in Jesus as their Savior before Herod would kill them. Herod never considered that Peters escape was assisted by God and that he should reconsider his position concerning the Christian Church in Jerusalem. He would believe that Peter decieved some of his guards or some of the church had bribed his guards to release Peter from his prison.  19 Herod goes to Caesarea and stays there awhile. 

      The death of James did please the Jews and the arrest of Peter made them very happy, so the escape of Peter would make them angry. They even might have accused Herod of the security failure that allowed Peter to escape from his prison. It might have also been that Herod feared that the group that organized the escape of Peter could cause him harm also and he would feel safer out of Jerusalem.

     20 Blastus a servant of Herod made plans for a peace meeting for the cities of Tyre and Sidon which required Herod to meet with these people. They wanted peace because they would depend on Herod for their food supply during the famine that Agabus warned about.  21 Herod on the throne wearing his royal robes delivered a public address to the people, we are told Herods robe was made of spun silver and would shine and reflect in the sunlight. 22 The crowd shouts out as Herod speaks, This is the voice of a god not of a man. Why would they say such a thing could they be in a false delusion state as part of a method to trap Herod and have a justified reason to put him to death. 2 Thessalonians 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them a strong delusion that they should believe a lie. There  does not seem to be any punishment for the people who shouted this out to Herod who were practiceing a form of false worship by calling Herod a god. 23 Herod did not give praise to God, a angel struck Herod down and Herod was eaten by worms. Herod did not deny their praise and may have even encouraged it in his speech. Peter who met Cornelius who bowed down before him in reverence Peter told him Acts 10:26  Stand up I am only a man myself.

      Paul will soon have the same claim made about him and Barnabas  and they were ready to make sacrifices to them and  they will quickly deny it Acts 14:15 Men why are you doing this? We are only men just like you.  This action will lead to Paul being stoned by these people. Herod does suffer for five days before he dies.

      It is important that Herod dies and Peter or any Christian is not near him when he is attacked and he is killed by a method that no person could have done to him. If the death of King Herod could be linked to the Christian Church or any member of the church it would bring the entire Roman army to Jerusalem and throughout the entire country until every Christian was arrested or killed. Did anyone see this angel that struck Herod the sight may have caused them to see their error and repent. Certainly when they saw the worms eat Herod they would reconsider that he was a god.  God will always provide a time for you to repent.

     24 The word of God continues to increase and spread. Herod who did not consider Peters escape to be a act of God was himself killed in a way that must be considered a act of Gods anger and judgement against him for his accepting praise. It may also have been a act of Gods vengeance for the death of James and the persecution of the Christian church. Herods death in Jerusalem must have been seen by the Sanhedrin as a warning sign that they should not persecute the Christian people any longer. Just as when Ananias was put to death because he had lied to God and the Holy Spirit we also read that great fear seized the whole church. Acts 5:12-15 The apostles performed many miracles signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomons Colonade. No one else dared join them, even though even they were highly regarded by the people. Nevertheless more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. As a result people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peters shadow might fall on some of them  as he passed by. The fear of God must have struck these people the same way and even further as the King Herods death would be more well known than the death of Ananias. 

      25 Saul and Barnabas have completed their mission to bring the food and supplies to Jerusalem and would leave with John Mark. Saul would be in Jerusalem at the Passover to celebrate the holiday with the church of Jewish Christian believers. Even though it was a dangerous time and he must have been warned to stay away because people feared he would be killed in Jerusalem. In Acts 21:11 The prophet  Agabus warns Paul not to go to Jerusalem because he will be arested The Holy Spirit says, In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles. In verse  Acts 21:13 Paul responds Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the Lord Jesus.

     Each time Paul enter Jerusalem he was at risk and in danger but now Herod had been taking action also against the Christian leaders. If Saul was not at Marys house when Peter arrived he may have been with James another group that also must have been considering the death of Peter and who would lead the church in Jerusalem. The Gentile problems must also be resolved or these problems and the persecution will cause a permanent division in the church. Saul would be the most outspoken person there for Gentile rights and James would mediate between the two groups that will not come to a agreement until the meeting of the Jerusalem council in Acts 15 where James will be  the leader of the Jerusalem church.  With these and other problems solved and the death of Herod did make travel out of Jerusalem safe once again Saul and Barnabas will take John Mark and leave Jerusalem to bring the gospel to Jews and Gentiles.

CHRIST LOVES YOU. AMEN. COME LORD JESUS