Act 12:1-9 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Acts 12:1-5: 12:1-5 Jesus had clearly predicted persecution and hardship for his followers (Luke 11:49-51 ). For the first time since Jesus’ death, Roman authorities took direct violent action against the church. James , the brother of John, was one of the first called to be a disciple (Mark 1:16-20 ; Luke 5:1-11 ), and he was one of the first Christians to be martyred for his faith. • King Herod Agrippa attacked the church (cp. Acts 12:20-23 ), a move that he found to be politically helpful with the Jewish people . The letter of James, the brother of Jesus, was probably written after this persecution to the scattered Christians (see 8:1-4 ; James Book Introduction, “Date of Writing”).

Summary for Acts 12:1-5: 12:1-5 ^a Jesus had clearly predicted persecution and hardship for his followers (Luke 11:49-51 ^b). For the first time since Jesus’ death, Roman authorities took direct violent action against the church. James, the brother of John, was one of the first called to be a disciple (Mark 1:16-20 ^c; Luke 5:1-11 ^d), and he was one of the first Christians to be martyred for his faith.

• King Herod Agrippa attacked the church (cp. Acts 12:20-23 ^e), a move that he found to be politically helpful with the Jewish people. The letter of James, the brother of Jesus, was probably written after this persecution to the scattered Christians (see 8:1-4 ^f; James Book Introduction, “Date of Writing”).
12:4 ^g Herod had Peter guarded by four squads of soldiers, making it humanly impossible for the apostle to escape (cp. 12:6 ^h). However, God was in charge, and nothing is too hard for him (cp. 4:27-31 ⁱ; Gen 18:14 ^j; Jer 32:17 ^k, 27 ^l; Matt 19:26 ^m; Mark 10:27 ⁿ; Luke 1:37 ^o; 18:27 ^p).
12:5 ^q the church prayed very earnestly: God answers the earnest prayers of his people (12:6-17 ^r; see Luke 11:1-13 ^s; 18:1-8 ^t; cp. Matt 7:7-11 ^u; John 15:7 ^v; Phil 4:6-7 ^w; Jas 5:16 ^x; 1 Jn 3:22 ^y).
Summary for Acts 12:6-19: 12:6-19 ^z God, through an angel, led Peter out, reunited him with his praying friends, and sent him out to carry on the work of spreading the Good News. The message advanced despite determined opposition.
Summary for Acts 12:7-11: 12:7-11 ^aa See thematic note for Angels at end of chapter.