Acts 12:5 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.

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

NASB: So Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer for him was being made to God intensely by the church.

CSB: So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was praying fervently to God for him.

NLT: But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him.

KJV: Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

NKJV: Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.

Herod Agrippa I, king over Judea, Samaria, Galilee, and territories east of the Jordan River, has beheaded the apostle James and arrested Peter. He plans on executing Peter, as well, to reinforce the support of the Sanhedrin for his rule. But it is the weeklong Feast of Unleavened Bread, the time when the Jews celebrate their deliverance from slavery in Egypt. For whatever reason, Agrippa will wait until the holidays are over.

Although Peter has been arrested by the Sanhedrin, twice (Acts 4:1–22; 5:17–40), this is his first recorded altercation with the Romans. In fact, until this point the Romans seem to have ignored the church, thinking it is just another Jewish sect and poses no political threat to order (Acts 18:12–16). Between eight and fourteen years prior, the Roman governor Pilate crucified their leader, Jesus—not because He threatened any disruption to Rome's rule, but because the Sanhedrin threatened unrest if Pilate let Jesus live (John 18:28—19:16).

Pilate was indifferent to the wishes of the Jews so long as they didn't interfere with the performance of his job. Agrippa, however, is more invested in the people he rules and their religion. He kept Caligula from installing a statue of himself in the temple and reads to the people from the Mosaic law. He plans on killing Peter not to ensure rest but to build goodwill.

But the church is praying. God promises to hear, with a mind to act on the prayers of those who are righteous (Proverbs 15:29). Around this time, James, Jesus' half-brother, will write "The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working" (James 5:16). Peter will later affirm the sentiment (1 Peter 3:12). Acts 12:6–11 records God's answer to their prayers: Peter will be rescued, unscathed. That doesn't mean God grants all the request of His followers, and crucifixion is still in Peter's future (John 21:18–19). But, like the night of the storm (Mark 4:35–41), Jesus still has plans for Peter on earth.

Acts 12:1–5 is the only Scripture which directly records the death of an apostle. Herod Agrippa I, who has commended himself to the Jewish leaders by protecting their religion, endears himself further by arresting and beheading James, the brother of John. The Sanhedrin is so pleased, Agrippa arrests Peter, as well. His plan is to kill Peter after the Feast of Unleavened Bread, but while Peter is chained and guarded by four squads of soldiers, the church is praying.

Acts 12 starts with the first death of an apostle and ends with the death of a king. Herod Agrippa I beheads James and imprisons Peter. An angel rescues Peter and he quickly lets the church in Jerusalem know before he goes into hiding. Agrippa, grandson of Herod the Great and friend to the Pharisees, accepts glory due only to God and dies, likely a few days later, of internal worms. Meanwhile, the church continues to grow, and Barnabas and Saul return to Syrian Antioch. The scene is set for Paul's extensive ministry to the Gentiles.

When Acts 12 opens, at least some of the apostles are in Jerusalem, and Barnabas and Saul are in Syrian Antioch, collecting support so the church in Jerusalem can survive the coming famine (Acts 11:27–30). The church is established in Jerusalem and growing in the regions on the east coast of the Mediterranean Sea. When the chapter closes, Barnabas and Saul are poised for their missionary trip in modern-day Asia Minor. Saul will take on the Greek version of his name, Paul, and the story of Jesus will spread to Rome and beyond.

The summary of the book of Acts is provided in Jesus' words in Acts 1:8: ''But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'' In Acts 2:1–13, the Christ-followers receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:14—7:60 describes the rapid growth of the church in Jerusalem. Chapters 8—12 find Jewish persecution inadvertently spreading the gospel throughout Judea and Samaria. And in chapters 13—28, Paul and his companions spread the good news throughout the Roman Empire.