Peter Put in Prison - Acts 12:4

The physician Luke wrote how, “Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)”, and in chapter twelve and verse four of the book of Acts Luke shared how Herod put Peter, “in prison” where we read:

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.

The verse begins, “And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him;” Luke began with the words, “and when he had apprehended him” which means “and at the time and moment Herod seized, captured and lay hold of Peter”, “he put him in prison” or “Herod place Peter in a watch, guard or place where captives are kept”, “and delivered him” which means “and gave over, punished and condemned Peter” “to four quaternions of soldiers” or “four sets of two soldiers or guards” “to keep him” which means “to guard or watch over Peter”. Luke shared how “Herod” captured “Peter”, put him in “prison” and set a watch over him that consisted of four sets of two soldiers who kept watch over him.

The verse goes on to say, “intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.” Luke continued with the words, “intending after Easter” which means “deliberately purposing and minding behind the paschal sacrifice” “to bring him forth” or “to lead and offer Peter” “to the people” which means “toward the Jewish people both male and female”. Luke shared how “Herod” was purposed to lead “Peter” in front of the Jewish people after the “paschal sacrifice” had passed.

When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Herod” carried through on his plan to continue persecuting the church of Jesus. He “captured” “Peter”, put him in “prison” and set two soldiers over him four times during the night watches. God's plan for spreading the church was not met without opposition, however, the more people attempted to stop His church, the more it spread. God's intention is to bring His “gospel” of “salvation through His Son Jesus” to everyone, and even though others like “Herod” may attempt to stop Him, they never will. Persecution against the church will last until Jesus comes again, but as He said, “In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (See John 16:33)

Next time Luke shares how, “prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".