BRUCE C WEARNE takes a look at what Luke records in Acts about Peter’s miraculous escape from the clutches of Herod…
Then just when Herod was about to put him on public display – with Peter sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, sentries at the door guarding the prison – well, that was when a messenger of the Lord made his entrance, and with a light shining in the cell and giving Peter a whack in the ribs, woke him up, saying, “Come on, get going.” And that’s what he did, the chains falling from his hands. And the messenger said to him, “Dress yourself and put your sandals on.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your coat around you and follow me.” And he went out following; and he did not know that what was happening with this messenger was real, but thought what he was seeing was a vision. Then having passed the first section of the prison and then a second, they came to the iron gate leading to the city. It just opened for them, and going out they went some way along one street; and then immediately the messenger left him. And Peter came to himself, and said: “Here I am, certain that the Lord has sent His messenger rescuing me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting of Him.” In realising this, he went on to the house of Mary, the mother of John, the one whose other name was Mark, where many had gathered together praying. And then he knocked at the gateway’s door, a maid named Rhoda coming to answer it. Recognising Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed that she did not even open the gate but ran in and told them that Peter was there standing at the gate. They said to her, “You are mad.” But insisting that it was so, they concluded, “It must be his messenger!” But Peter was there, continuing to knock; and when they finally opened, they saw him and were simply amazed. But he quietened them asking them to be quiet so he could describe to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Pass this on to James and to the brethren.” Then he left and went to some other place. Now when day broke, there was no little panic among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. (Acts 12:6-17/transliteration by Bruce C Wearne
PICTURE: Nadine Wegner/www.freeimages.com
IN A NUTSHELL
A messenger arranged Peter’s release from prison. He then went into hiding.
It is as if Luke is writing up his interview with Peter. “I didn’t know what was happening, because it wasn’t until he left me that I woke up!” When Peter did fully regain his senses he knew he was still in great danger. And such an escape put the entire company of believers in danger.
It is indeed a strange but thrilling story. Was Peter banging on the door of Mary’s house late at night? Then, when they finally opened the door, why tell the gathering to be quiet? So maybe he wasn’t making a loud noise. And it seems that it is his escape that had to be kept quiet. He told them briefly what had happened and then he left with this message, “Tell James and the brothers”.
James, the brother of John, had been put to the sword. That was part of what all this was about. This James was Jesus’ brother, later to become the leader of the Jerusalem assembly. Peter had to hide. Where were the other apostles? They too were probably in hiding. But why visit Mary’s house? Wouldn’t this news put her and the others in danger, particularly with Agrippa on the rampage? Peter had to pass on this information to James and the brothers for their own safety. Peter was still alive. The messenger had enabled his escape. The apostles needed to know.
Luke tells us that Peter was uncertain how it had happened. Luke adds: “it was no small panic among the soldiers”. Do God’s messengers put in an appearance to put the lives of ordinary soldiers at risk from blood-thirsty kings? The situation was grim and not just for the believing community. The situation the apostles faced had changed from what it had been a few years previously before Agrippa became king. Now the king was humiliated, and whether he believed in angels or not, Peter assumed he would be out for blood. Peter had to hide.
Correction: The first version of this story said the verses were from Acts 12:6-18; this has been corrected to Acts 12:6-17.
