Acts 12:4
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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.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers--that is, to four parties of four each, corresponding to the four Roman watches; two watching in prison and two at the gates, and each party being on duty for the space of one watch. intending after Easter--rather, "after the Passover"; that is, after the whole festival was over. (The word in our King James Version is an ecclesiastical term of later date, and ought not to have been employed here). to bring him forth to the people--for execution; for during "the days of unleavened bread," or the currency of any religious festival, the Jews had a prejudice against trying or putting anyone to death.
Open source ↗In this chapter we have the story, I. Of the martyrdom of James the apostle, and the imprisonment of Peter by Herod Agrippa, who now reigned as king in Judea (Act 12:1-4). II. The miraculous deliverance of Peter out of prison by the ministry of an angel, in answer to the prayers of the church for him (Act 12:6-19). III. The cutting off of Herod in the height of his pride by the stroke of an angel, the minister of God's justice (Act 12:20-23); and this was done while Barnabas and Saul were at Jerusalem, upon the errand that the church of Antioch sent them on, to carry their charity; and therefore in the close we have an account of their return to Antioch (Act 12:24, Act 12:25).
Open source ↗12:4 Herod had Peter guarded by four squads of soldiers, making it humanly impossible for the apostle to escape (cp. 12:6). However, God was in charge, and nothing is too hard for him (cp. 4:27-31; Gen 18:14; Jer 32:17, 27; Matt 19:26; Mark 10:27; Luke 1:37; 18:27).
Open source ↗Cross-references
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Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.
“Lord,” said Peter, “I am ready to go with You even to prison and to death.”
But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. On account of My name they will deliver you to the synagogues and prisons, and they will bring you before kings and governors.
They carried out what Your hand and will had decided beforehand would happen.
And the letters were sent by couriers to each of the royal provinces with the order to destroy, kill, and annihilate all the Jews—young and old, women and children—and to plunder their possessions on a single day, the thirteenth day of Adar, the twelfth month.
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.
Then they will deliver you over to be persecuted and killed, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.
“But not during the feast,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.”
They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in custody until the next day.
Truly, truly, I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself and walked where you wanted; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”