Acts 12:4

James Killed, Peter Imprisoned · Acts 12:1–4
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Translations

Modern
He arrested him and put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out to the people after the Passover.
Traditional
And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.
Literal
…whom also having arrested, he put in prison, having delivered him to four sets of four soldiers to guard him, intending to bring him out to the people after the Passover.
Latin
Quem cum apprehendisset, misit in carcerem, tradens quatuor quaternionibus militum custodiendum, volens post Pascha producere eum populo.

Original

Greek
English
He arrested him and put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out to the people after the Passover.

Notes

Herod had Peter guarded by four squads of soldiers, making it impossible for the apostle to escape (compare 12:6). God was in control, even though the circumstances seemed impossible for humans to overcome (compare 4:27–31; Genesis 18:14; Jeremiah 32:17, 27; Matthew 19:26; Mark 10:27; Luke 1:37; 18:27).

  • Jesus had prophesied that his followers would experience persecution and difficulty (Luke 11:49–51). For the first time since his death, Roman authorities acted violently against the church. James, the brother of John, was among the first disciples Jesus called (Mark 1:16–20; Luke 5:1–11). He was one of the first Christians killed because of his faith.

  • King Herod Agrippa took action to intentionally harm the church (Acts 12:20–23). It is possible that doing this was meant to strengthen his political alignment with the Jewish people. The letter of James, the brother of Jesus, was probably written after this persecution effort to the Christians who were scattered (see 8:1–4; James Book Introduction, “Date of Writing”).

Events

People

Passover: An annual Jewish feast commemorating the Exodus

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Book of the Acts of the Apostles Caligula Chronology of the Bible (New Testament) Claudius First Jewish Revolt Herod, Herodian Family Letter to the Galatians Persecution Peter, the Apostle Quaternion

Topics

Christian Minister: Persecution: Peter Criminals: Confined in Prisons God: Preserver: Peter Herod: Son of Aristobulus (Herod Agrippa I) Imprisonment of Peter Jerusalem: Roman Rulers Who Resided in Herod (Herod Agrippa I) Persecution of the Apostles Peter: Imprisoned and Delivered by an Angel Prison: General Scriptures Concerning Prisoners: Peter Prisons used for Confining: Condemned Persons Till Executed Protection: Peter Quaternion: A Squad of Four Soldiers Rulers: Wicked: Herod Agrippa I, Persecuting the Congregation in Jerusalem Soldiers: Guard Prisoners