1. Acts 12:1–25 (ESV)
  2. Structure and outline

Form and Structure

Acts 12:1–25 (ESV)

1 About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church.

  • The main movements in the book of Acts are as follows:1

    • Prologue, foundations for the church and its mission (Acts 1:1–2:41)

    • The church in Jerusalem (Acts 2:42–6:7)

    • The church expands to Samaria and elsewhere (Acts 6:8–9:31)

    • Peter and the first Gentile converts (Acts 9:32–12:24)

    • Paul turns to the Gentiles (Acts 12:25–16:5)

    • Further penetration into the Gentile world (Acts 16:6–19:20)

    • On to Rome (Acts 19:21–28:31)

  • With regards to Peter and the first official Gentile convert, a further division can be made:2

    • Prelude, setting the context for Gentile mission (Acts 9:32–43)

    • Proclamation, the gospel is proclaimed to a Gentile (Acts 10:1–48)

    • Postlude, the church celebrates Gentile mission (Acts 11:1–18)

    • The gospel in Antioch (Acts 11:19–30)

    • Peter, an apostle in chains (Acts 12:1–25)

  • Acts 12:1–25 can be subdivided as follows:3

    • The martyrdom of James and the arrest of Peter (Acts 12:1–5)

    • Peter’s escape from prison (Acts 12:6–11)

    • Peter’s arrival at the home of John Mark (Acts 12:12–19a)

    • Herod’s arrogance and judgment (Acts 12:19–23)

    • Summary (Acts 12:24–25)

  • The events narrated in Acts 12:1–25 bring the first half of the book to a close with Peter being imprisoned by Herod and then released. The second half of the book will also end with an apostle (Paul) being imprisoned and released (Acts 28:1–31). The parallel between Peter and Paul confirms that they are both servants of God and that persecution is never the final word. God will continue to grow his church no matter the opposition.4

  • The context for Acts 12:1–25 is the departure of Saul and Barnabas from Antioch (Acts 11:30) and their subsequent return (Acts 12:25). This context emphasizes that the progress of the gospel and the growth of God’s church is not hindered by the death of one apostle (James) and the imprisonment of another (Peter).5

  • Acts 12:1–25 is one of the last times where Peter makes an appearance in the book. He will be mentioned again briefly in Acts 15:1–41. His departure from Jerusalem brings an end to the first phase of missionary expansion.6