ACTS 12

Acts 12 Outline

  • Herod Harasses The Church (v1-4)
  • An Angel Frees Peter From Prison (v5-19)
  • An Angel Strikes Herod (v20-25)

Key Verse: Acts 12:7Information Icon

Acts 12:7 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. (ESV)

Acts 12

1 About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. 2 He killed James the brother of John with the sword, 3 and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. 4 And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. 5 So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.

6 Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. 7 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. 8 And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” 9 And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10 When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. 11 When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”

12 When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. 13 And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14 Recognizing Peter’s voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. 15 They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!” 16 But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. 17 But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell these things to James and to the brothers.” Then he departed and went to another place.

18 Now when day came, there was no little disturbance among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. 19 And after Herod searched for him and did not find him, he examined the sentries and ordered that they should be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and spent time there.

20 Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they came to him with one accord, and having persuaded Blastus, the king’s chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king’s country for food. 21 On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them. 22 And the people were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!” 23 Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last.

24 But the word of God increased and multiplied.

25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had completed their service, bringing with them John, whose other name was Mark.

(ESV)

Acts 12 ContextInformation Icon

Book: Acts

Chapter: 12 of 28 Chapters

Author: Luke

Written In: Greek

Year Written: 63 A.D.

Year Events Occurred: 45 A.D.

Acts 12 VisualsInformation Icon

Acts 12 TeachingsInformation Icon

Acts 12 TimeframeInformation Icon

2348 B.C.

Worldwide Flood

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Relevant Books: Genesis

Narrative Chapters: Genesis 6, Genesis 7, Genesis 8

63 B.C.

Rome Rules The World

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Nations Involved: Rome

Prophecy Chapters: Daniel 2, Daniel 7

4 B.C.

Birth of Jesus

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Nations Involved: Rome, Israel

Relevant Books: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John

Narrative Chapters: Luke 1, Luke 2, Matthew 1

29 A.D.

John the Baptist Begins His Ministry

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Nations Involved: Israel

Relevant Books: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John

Narrative Chapters: Matthew 3, Mark 1, Luke 3, John 1

Jesus Begins His Ministry

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Nations Involved: Israel

Relevant Books: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John

Narrative Chapters: Matthew 3, Matthew 4, Mark 1, Luke 4, John 1

Jesus Cleanses The Temple

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Nations Involved: Israel

Relevant Books: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John

Narrative Chapters: John 2

32 A.D.

Jesus Crucified & Resurrected

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Nations Involved: Israel

Relevant Books: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John

Narrative Chapters: Matthew 27, Matthew 28, Mark 15, Mark 16, Luke 22, Luke 23, Luke 24, John 18, John 19, John 20, John 21

Prophecy Chapters: Isaiah 53

Holy Spirit Poured Out On Disciples

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Nations Involved: Israel

Relevant Books: Acts

Narrative Chapters: Acts 2

Prophecy Chapters: Joel 2

35 A.D.

Stephen Martyred

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Nations Involved: Israel

Relevant Books: Acts

Narrative Chapters: Acts 7

36 A.D.

Paul's Conversion

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Nations Involved: Israel

Relevant Books: Acts

Narrative Chapters: Acts 9

38 A.D.

Salvation Of Cornelius' Household

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Nations Involved: Israel

Relevant Books: Acts

Narrative Chapters: Acts 10

43 A.D.

Matthew Writes His Gospel (43 A.D.)

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Nations Involved: Israel, Rome

Relevant Books: Matthew

44 A.D.

Death of Herod Agrippa I

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Nations Involved: Israel

Relevant Books: Acts

Narrative Chapters: Acts 12

45 A.D.

James Writes His Epistle (45 A.D.)

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Nations Involved: Israel, Rome

Relevant Books: James

Acts 12 Events Timeframe: 45 A.D.

48 A.D.

Paul's First Missionary Journey

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Relevant Books: Acts

Narrative Chapters: Acts 13, Acts 14

50 A.D.

Acts 15 Council At Jerusalem

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Nations Involved: Israel

Relevant Books: Acts

Narrative Chapters: Acts 15

51 A.D.

Paul's Second Missionary Journey

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Relevant Books: Acts

Narrative Chapters: Acts 16, Acts 17, Acts 18

52 A.D.

Paul Writes 1 Thessalonians (52 A.D.)

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Nations Involved: Rome

Relevant Books: 1 Thessalonians

53 A.D.

Paul Writes 2 Thessalonians (53 A.D.)

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Nations Involved: Rome

Relevant Books: 2 Thessalonians

54 A.D.

Paul's Third Missionary Journey

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Relevant Books: Acts

Narrative Chapters: Acts 19, Acts 20, Acts 21

57 A.D.

Paul Writes 1 Corinthians (57 A.D.)

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Nations Involved: Rome

Relevant Books: 1 Corinthians

Paul Writes Galatians (57 A.D.)

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Nations Involved: Rome

Relevant Books: Galatians

58 A.D.

Paul Writes 2 Corinthians (58 A.D.)

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Nations Involved: Rome

Relevant Books: 2 Corinthians

Paul Writes Romans (58 A.D.)

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Nations Involved: Rome

Relevant Books: Romans

59 A.D.

Luke Writes His Gospel (59 A.D.)

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Nations Involved: Israel, Rome

Relevant Books: Luke

62 A.D.

Paul Imprisoned In Rome

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Nations Involved: Rome

Relevant Books: Acts

Paul Writes Ephesians (62 A.D.)

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Nations Involved: Rome

Relevant Books: Ephesians

Paul Writes Philippians (62 A.D.)

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Nations Involved: Rome

Relevant Books: Philippians

Paul Writes Colossians (62 A.D.)

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Nations Involved: Rome

Relevant Books: Colossians

Paul Writes Philemon (62 A.D.)

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Nations Involved: Rome

Relevant Books: Philemon

63 A.D.

Luke Writes Acts (63 A.D.)

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Nations Involved: Israel, Rome

Relevant Books: Acts

Paul Writes 1 Timothy (63 A.D.)

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Nations Involved: Rome

Relevant Books: 1 Timothy

Paul Writes Titus (63 A.D.)

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Nations Involved: Rome

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Unknown Author Writes Hebrews (63 A.D.)

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Nations Involved: Israel, Rome

Relevant Books: Hebrews

Peter Writes 1 Peter (63 A.D.)

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Relevant Books: 1 Peter

Acts 12 Written: 63 A.D.

64 A.D.

Mark Writes His Gospel (64 A.D.)

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Nations Involved: Israel, Rome

Relevant Books: Mark

65 A.D.

Peter Writes 2 Peter (65 A.D.)

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Relevant Books: 2 Peter

66 A.D.

Paul Writes 2 Timothy (66 A.D.)

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Nations Involved: Rome

Relevant Books: 2 Timothy

70 A.D.

Roman Army Destroys The Temple

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Nations Involved: Rome, Israel

75 A.D.

Jude Writes His Epistle (75 A.D.)

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Relevant Books: Jude