12 And when he became clear about this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John named Mark, where a number of them had come together for prayer. 13 And he gave a blow on the door, and a young girl came to it, named Rhoda. 14 And hearing the voice of Peter, in her joy she went running, without opening the door, to say that Peter was outside. 15 And they said to her, You are off your head. But still she said, with decision, that it was so. And they said, It is his angel. 16 But Peter went on giving blows on the door: and when it was open and they saw him, they were full of wonder. 17 But he made a sign to them with his hand to be quiet, and gave them an account of how the Lord had taken him out of prison. And he said, Give the news to James and the brothers. And then he went away. 18 Now when it was day, the armed men were greatly troubled about what had become of Peter. 19 And Herod, when he sent for him, and he was not there, after questioning the watchmen, gave orders that they were to be put to death. Then he went down from Judaea to Caesarea for a time.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 12:12-19
Commentary on Acts 12:12-19
(Read Acts 12:12-19)
God's providence leaves room for the use of our prudence, though he has undertaken to perform and perfect what he has begun. These Christians continued in prayer for Peter, for they were truly in earnest. Thus men ought always to pray, and not to faint. As long as we are kept waiting for a mercy, we must continue praying for it. But sometimes that which we most earnestly wish for, we are most backward to believe. The Christian law of self-denial and of suffering for Christ, has not done away the natural law of caring for our own safety by lawful means. In times of public danger, all believers have God for their hiding-place; which is so secret, that the world cannot find them. Also, the instruments of persecution are themselves exposed to danger; the wrath of God hangs over all that engage in this hateful work. And the range of persecutors often vents itself on all in its way.