Death of James (Brother of John), Peter imprisoned and delivered. He leaves Palestine; Acts 12:1 – 19. Part 4

Church History: Suddenly and unexpectedly, a light shined in the prison; whether this light was from the bright body the angel assumed, or from some other cause, we are not told, and therefore it is not necessary for us to know; but it was a light only to Peter, but darkness to his keepers; as the pillar of fire enlightened only the Israelites; which made it more strange and miraculous. The angel smote Peter (as one jogs, or gently strikes another) to awaken him; thus God was waking, though Peter slept; and by his providence watches over all his people for their preservation. His chains fell off from his hands; chains could not hold any whom God will have free; everything loses its force when God suspends or withdraws his concurrence.3
The greatness and suddenness of the deliverance was such, as it amazed him, it seemed incredible to him: not that he questioned God's power or godliness; but knowing that he was to suffer for Christ's name's sake, he might not look for such a deliverance, and when it came, it seemed like a dreams. (Psalms 126:1)3
The soldiers were stationed at intervals in the entrance into the prison and were passed silently. They were probably placed in a deep sleep to facilitate the escape of Peter. The outer gate was secured with iron, as the doors of prisons are now. Jerusalem was surrounded by three walls. The prison was supposed to have been situated between two of these walls. And it is probable that the entrance to the prison was adjacent to the inner wall, so that this gate opened directly into the city. It opened spontaneously, without the application of any force, or key, thus showing conclusively that Peter was delivered by miraculous interposition. When Peter was entirely safe from any danger of pursuit the angel left him. God had affected his complete rescue, and now left him to his own efforts as usual.2 It is not at all strange that Peter thought, at first, that he was dreaming; for the deliverance was entirely unexpected, and was effected in the most wonderful manner, and amid the bewilderment usual upon being suddenly aroused from deep sleep. When he found himself alone in the street, and had collected his senses, he knew that it was a reality, and felt like one waking from a singular dream.8
When the angel departed, he stood in the street for a while, reflecting upon the incident, and considering what he should do. In the house of Mary the sister of Barnabas, a number of disciples were at that very hour engaged in prayer in his behalf. He knew nothing of this, but, guided either by the proximity of the house, or the well-known character of its inmates, he turned in that direction. Although the condition of Peter was the burden of the prayers of these disciples, they were by no means expecting his deliverance, and were most likely praying that he might be enabled to endure with fortitude a death which they regarded as inevitable.
When Peter knocked on the door, a young lady named Rhoda came to inquire who was there. She did not open the gate. At this time of night, and in these circumstances, the door would be fastened. Christians were doubtless alarmed by the death of James, and the imprisonment of Peter, and they would take all possible precautions for their own safety. In her joy, she hurried to inform those who were assembled of the safety of Peter. When Rhoda insisted that it was Peter at the gate, and the disciples said, It is his angel, they undoubtedly had allusion to the popular superstition of their day that a man's guardian angel sometimes assumed his form. Before this, the twelve had twice imagined that they saw a disembodied spirit; once when they saw Jesus walking on the water (Matthew 14:26), and once when he miraculously entered a closed room where they were sitting (Luke 24:37). These facts show how strong a hold the popular superstitions had upon their minds.