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Chapter 40—Peter Delivered From Prison
This chapter is based on
Acts 12:1-23
.
Herod was professedly a proselyte to the Jewish faith, and ap-
parently very zealous in perpetuating the ceremonies of the law.
The government of Judea was in his hands, subject to Claudius, the
Roman emperor; he also held the position of tetrarch of Galilee.
Herod was anxious to obtain the favor of the Jews, hoping thus to
make secure his offices and honors. He therefore proceeded to carry
out the desires of the Jews in persecuting the church of Christ. He
began his work by spoiling the houses and goods of the believers;
he then began to imprison the leading ones. He seized upon James
and cast him into prison, and there sent an executioner to kill him
with a sword, as another Herod had caused the prophet John to be
beheaded. He then became bolder, seeing that the Jews were well
pleased with his acts, and imprisoned Peter. These cruelties were
performed during the sacred occasion of the Passover.
The people applauded the act of Herod in causing the death
of James, though some of them complained of the private manner
in which it was accomplished, maintaining that a public execution
would have had the effect to more thoroughly intimidate all believers
and sympathizers. Herod therefore held Peter in custody for the
purpose of gratifying the Jews by the public spectacle of his death.
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But it was suggested to the ruler that it would not be safe to bring
the veteran apostle out for execution before all the people who were
assembled in Jerusalem for the Passover. It was feared that his
venerable appearance might excite their pity and respect; they also
dreaded lest he should make one of those powerful appeals which
had frequently roused the people to investigate the life and character
of Jesus Christ, and which they, with all their artifice, were totally
unable to controvert. In such case, the Jews apprehended that his
release would be demanded at the hands of the king.
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