ACC ~ Acts 12 v12 - 19

OVERVIEW:

In Peter’s actions we see a care for the Jerusalem church, one that extends even to those that others would consider insignificant. These become messengers of the good news of Peter’s release, but before they do so, they must be convinced that Peter, and not his guardian angel, has come to them in the midst of affliction to reveal God’s marvels (CHRYSOSTOM). As Chrysostom and Arator point out, both the course of events and the reactions to Peter are similar to what occurred at Christ’s resurrection, even the need to receive some sort of testimony from those who were on guard. In this instance, the guards are put to death, and yet this attempt to hide the facts only makes the truth more evident. Chrysostom’s remark that the special mention of James shows affection for a fellow apostle is closer to the mark than modern conjectures about transfer of authority.

12:12 | The House of Mary

DO NOT HIDE GOD’S MARVELS. CHRYSOSTOM: Therefore, let us not conceal the wonders of God, but to our own advantage, let us parade them with zeal, for the edification of others. He is to be admired for choosing to be imprisoned but even more for not withdrawing before he had reported everything to his friends. And he said, “Tell this to James and to the brothers,” so that they might rejoice and not worry about him. And it is through these that those find out, not those through this. Thus did he take thought for the humbler part! HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 26.

AFFLICTION MAKES THEM VIGILANT. CHRYSOSTOM: Look how much they achieved by praying at night. How great a good is affliction. How much it awakened them. Did you notice the gain from Stephen’s death? Or how great a benefit this prison conferred? For it is not by taking vengeance on those who wronged them that God shows the greatness of the gospel. Rather, it is in the wrongdoers themselves, without their suffering anything terrible, that he shows the greatness of afflictions in themselves by themselves, so that we would in no way seek deliverance from them, not even vengeance for the wrongs done us. HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 26.

12:13 | A Maid Named Rhoda

THE SERVANT EQUAL TO THE REST. CHRYSOSTOM: Consider how even their servant girls had an equal share of honor as they did. “For joy,” it says, “she did not open the gate.” This too happens for a good reason, that they might not be dumbfounded, seeing him at once and so disbelieve, but that their thoughts might be prepared. She does what we would all do: she runs in so that she might be the one bringing the good news. For truly it was good news. HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 26.

12:15 | It Is His Angel

THEY LEARN ALL CLEARLY. CHRYSOSTOM: “And they said to her: ‘You are mad!’ But she confidently affirmed that it was so. And they said, ‘It is his angel.’” This is true because everyone has an angel. And what does the angel want? From the time of the night this is what they expected. “But Peter continued knocking; and when they had opened, they saw him and were amazed. But he motioned them with his hand” and produced a great silence, so that they might hear what had happened to him. He was now much more sought after by the disciples, not only because he was saved but also on account of his arrival and immediate departure. His friends heard about everything clearly, and strangers would have too, if indeed they had wished to, but they did not. This also happened in the case of Christ. “Tell these things,” he said, “to James and to the brothers.” Is he not free from vainglory? He did not even say, “Make these things known to people everywhere” but “to the brothers.” … It was to prevent them from saying, “It was his angel,” after his departure, that they say this first and then see the man himself, who controverts that idea. Had it been the angel, he would not have knocked at the door or withdrawn to another place. They were assured of this by what happened the next day. HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 26.

12:16 | The Believers Were Amazed

PETER SHOWS FORTH THE RESURRECTION. ARATOR: Immediately, free from the enemy, he sings the praises of God’s work. The first girl demonstrates that he has come back from the darkness because the grace of Christ allowed a similar thing to be, inasmuch as the Lord himself, rising [from the dead], approached the sight of women; the glory of his returning flesh spoke to the sex that his mother has. It is clear from this also that the church, which must carry unrestrained gladness to every flock, recognized its prophet [Peter]. ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 1.

12:17 | Peter Went to Another Place

HE DID NOT TEMPT GOD. CHRYSOSTOM: And [Peter] withdrew to another place. He did not tempt God or even throw himself into temptation. When they were commanded to do something, they did it. “Go,” the angel said, “and speak in the temple to the people.” The angel did not say this here, but, by silently removing him and bringing him out by night, he gave him the power to withdraw. And this is done to teach us that matters are often providentially arranged in human terms, in this case, to prevent him from falling into danger again. HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 26.

12:19 | Herod Orders the Death of the Soldiers

NOT YET THE TIME OF JUDGMENT. CHRYSOSTOM: Some people may be at a loss to explain how God allowed his champions to be put to death. And why did the soldiers die on account of Peter, although it was possible for God, after he had saved Peter, to rescue them as well? But it was not yet the time of judgment, to render to each according to his deserts. Besides, it was not Peter who put them into his hands. For what most annoyed Herod was being mocked. Just as when his grandfather was deceived by the wise men, it cut him to the heart being made a laughingstock. “He examined the sentries,” it says, “and ordered that they should be put to death.” And yet he had heard from them (for he examined them) that the chains had been discarded, that Peter had taken his sandals and that until that night he was with them. But what did the sentries conceal? Why didn’t they also flee? Surely, Herod ought to have been amazed and astonished at this. This becomes clear to everyone through these men’s death. The wickedness of Herod is discovered, and that the wonder is of God. HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 27.