It was customary with the Romans to fasten a prisoner to his keeper by a light chain, which went round the wrist of each; thus rendering it impossible for the prisoner to move without the knowledge of his keeper. For greater security, Peter was thus bound to two of the soldiers.
During the night before the day on which "Herod would have brought Peter forth, he was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side," (to awaken him,) "and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands," (without disturbing the keepers). "And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me." Peter did as he was told; but all this time he was not aware that he was really free, but thought he was merely dreaming: he "wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. When they were past the first and the second ward," (different parts of the prison, without being perceived by any of those who kept the doors,) "they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him." His miraculous work being now accomplished, the angel left Peter to go on his own way. The departure of his heavenly guide seems to have aroused Peter to the reality of what had happened; he no longer thought he had seen a vision. "And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews. And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark." This Mark, whose name was also John, was the writer of the Gospel bearing his name: his mother was sister to Barnabas, and her house was no doubt a place, where the Christian brethren often met for the purpose of prayer; and now, although it was not yet daylight, "many were gathered together praying." Probably they had spent the night in prayer for the deliverance of Peter. "And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate."
The faith of the brethren was not strong enough to make them at once believe in such a wonderful answer to their prayers. They knew that Peter was securely shut up in prison; and so, when Rhoda suddenly announced that he was standing at the door, they said unto her, "Thou art mad"; thinking that she did not know what she was saying: and when she insisted "that it was even so," they could not then believe that it really was Peter himself, but said, "It is his angel," or spirit. "But Peter continued knocking"; thus showing that it was no spirit, but a real living being: "and when they had opened the door, they were astonished." Peter would not allow them to express their astonishment, but "beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace," (that is, making a sign unto them not to speak,) he "declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison." When he had finished the wonderful recital, he said, "Go, shew these things unto James, and to the brethren."
Though in many respects all the Apostles were upon an equality, it was necessary that some one of them should have the particular direction of the affairs of the Church at Jerusalem; and James seems to have held this office. The other Apostles therefore gave him an account of their labours, and of anything remarkable which took place. This James, called "the Less," to distinguish him from James the son of Zebedee, is sometimes spoken of as "the Lord's brother," though there is every reason to believe that he was not his brother, but the nephew of His mother Mary. In those times, such near kinsmen as first cousins—that is, the children of brothers and sisters—were often called brethren. If the mother of Jesus had had any other children, it would not have been necessary for our Lord to commend her to the care of His beloved disciple John, whom He bade her to look upon as a son.
James is always considered as the first Bishop: he was Bishop of the Church in Jerusalem; and he remained in that city, whilst the other Apostles travelled from place to place, preaching the Gospel to all people. Peter was anxious that James, and all the brethren, should know what had happened to him, that they might bless God for answering their prayers in such a wonderful manner, and that their faith might be strengthened, by seeing how able and willing the Lord is to preserve His servants, and defend them from all enemies, as long as He has any work for them to do upon earth.
Chapter X.—SAUL AND BARNABAS CALLED TO PREACH TO THE GENTILES.
After giving his message for James, "Peter departed, and went unto another place," where Herod's officers would be less likely to look for him, than in a house where the Christians were in the habit of meeting.
Nor did Peter remain in Jerusalem, where he would at any moment be liable to be discovered: what he did is not quite certain, but there is good reason to believe that he went to Rome, and preached the Gospel to Jews and Gentiles; so as to found, or begin, the establishment of a Christian Church in that city. It is also believed that Mark went with Peter, and that he then wrote his Gospel, for the use of the Christian converts at Rome.
When Herod found that Peter had actually escaped out of prison, he caused all the keepers of the prison to be put to death.