Persecution, Prayer and Deliverance (Acts 12:1-24)

Acts 12 is one of the most colorful and entertaining narratives in all of Acts with the humorous scene where Peter is prodded by an angel to put on his clothes (Ac 12:8), and how later he was left standing and locked out at the gate of the home of his Christian friends by an excited gatekeeper (Ac 12:13-14) after having been led through numerous gates manned by his captors (Ac 12:9-10)!

2 halves of Acts. Acts 12 ends the 1st 1/2 of Acts--"the Palestinian period"--with Acts 1-8:3 covering the Jewish Christian church, and Acts 8-12 moving the church step by step from a Jewish sect to a worldwide religious force. The 2nd 1/2 of Acts (13-28) covers the development of the universal mission as it spread throughout the Roman world.

Opposition and persecution. The recent peace and growth of the church (Ac 9:31; 11:21, 26) comes to an abrupt end as Herod Agrippa I reenergizes Jewish opposition and initiates a major persecution centering on the apostles, like the difficult times in Acts 4-5. But despite facing renewed opposition, the church does not retreat. She forges ahead through suffering and even gains courage and Spirit-given strength (Ac 12:24). God's hand of justice also reaches down to give Herod what he has earned, a terrible death (Ac 12:23).

1. Herod's plot (12:1-5). Persecution and arrest.
1. James is martyred (12:1-2).
2. Peter is arrested and imprisoned (12:3-5).
2. Herod's defeat (12:6-19). Unexpected deliverance.
1. Miraculous escape (12:6-11).
2. Reactions to the stupendous event (12:12-19).
   
3. Herod's death (12:20-23). Divine judgment on Herod Agrippa I.
4. God's victory (12:24-25). The Word continues to grow. The church continues its mission.

References:

1. Osborne, Grant. Acts. Verse by Verse. 2019. Persecution under Herod (12:1-25).
2. Witherington III, Ben. The Acts of the Apostles. A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary. 1998. Rescue and Retribution in Jerusalem (12:1-25).
3. Stott, John. The Message of Acts. 1990. Through the Bible through the year, Daily reflections from Genesis to Revelation. 2006. 
4. Peterson, David G. The Acts of the Apostles. The Pillar NT commentary. 2009. The Word Advances in Judea and Syria (9:32-12:25). Peter's Deliverance in Jerusalem (12:1-25).
5. Marshall, I. Howard. Acts. Tyndale NT commentaries (TNTC). 1980. The Beginning of the Gentile Mission (9:32-12:25).
1. Peter's mighty works (9:32-43).
2. The conversion of Cornelius (10:1-11:18).
3. The church at Antioch (11:19-30).
4. The imprisonment and escape of Peter (12:1-25).
6. Wright, N.T. Acts for Everyone, Part 1. Chapters 1-12. 2008.