Act 12:2-17 | TNotes

12:4 ^a Herod had Peter guarded by four squads of soldiers, making it humanly impossible for the apostle to escape (cp. 12:6 ^b). However, God was in charge, and nothing is too hard for him (cp. 4:27-31 ^c; Gen 18:14 ^d; Jer 32:17 ^e, 27 ^f; Matt 19:26 ^g; Mark 10:27 ^h; Luke 1:37 ⁱ; 18:27 ^j).
12:5 ^k the church prayed very earnestly: God answers the earnest prayers of his people (12:6-17 ^l; see Luke 11:1-13 ^m; 18:1-8 ⁿ; cp. Matt 7:7-11 ^o; John 15:7 ^p; Phil 4:6-7 ^q; Jas 5:16 ^r; 1 Jn 3:22 ^s).
Summary for Acts 12:6-19: 12:6-19 ^t 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 ^u See thematic note for Angels at end of chapter.
12:12 ^v The home of Mary, the mother of John Mark, was evidently a gathering place for believers. John Mark later became a missionary colleague of Barnabas and Saul (12:25 ^w).
Summary for Acts 12:13-17: 12:13-17 ^x Rhoda was so surprised when Peter appeared that she left him standing at the closed door. Both she and the other believers were amazed by God’s answer to their prayers (12:5 ^y).