ACC ~ Acts 12 v6 - 11

OVERVIEW:

The image portrayed here—rescue, angel, light—is meant to evoke the resurrection of Jesus and, as Chrysostom notes, contrasts the power of God, who enables his servants to carry out his will through a power that establishes peace and is kept in a virtuous life, which had become lost through sin. Here, this power results in a miracle unbelievable even to the one experiencing it, and from it we can see how God honors his people with the ministry of his angels (CHRYSOSTOM).

12:6 | Peter Asleep Between Two Soldiers

SHARING IN CHRIST’S POWER. CHRYSOSTOM: See how Peter slept and was not in anguish or fear. In the very night when he was about to be brought before the court he slept, leaving everything to God. Indeed the multitude becomes powerful when virtue is present. And it had such a power that even though the doors were closed, chains bound the apostle and the jailers slept at both his sides, virtue delivered him and saved him from all those difficulties. So if virtue is present the multitude has great strength, but if vice is present it makes no benefit. CATENA ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 12.6-7.

12:9 | Seeing a Vision?

THE EXCESSIVE GREATNESS OF THE MIRACLE. CHRYSOSTOM: [Peter] thought he was seeing a vision. Well might he think that, considering the excessive greatness of the things taking place. Do you see what it means for a miracle to be excessive? How it strikes the onlooker dumb, how it does not permit him to disbelieve? If Peter thought he was seeing a vision throughout such a long period of time, even though he had put on his belt and shoes, what would have happened to another person? “And passing,” it says, “the first guard and the second, they came to the iron gate. And they went out and passed on through one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.” What happened within was more marvelous; from here on it is more human. When there was no hindrance, the angel departed. For Peter would not have gotten away otherwise, with so many hindrances in place. It was truly mind-boggling. HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 26.

12:11 | The Lord Sent an Angel

THE LORD HONORS PETER BY SENDING AN ANGEL. CHRYSOSTOM: Why was this not done through themselves? In this way God honors them, rescuing them through his angels. Why did it not happen like this in the case of Paul? With good reason, because there the prison guard was to be converted, while here only the apostle was to be released. In different ways God disposes different things. There, it is well for Paul to sing hymns; here, for Peter to sleep. HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 26.