In the midst of the demonstration of the church’s unity, one again finds the persecution of the church by the Jews. The first section of this account (12:1–19a) focuses on Herod’s persecution of Peter and God’s deliverance of Peter from prison. The second section (12:19b–25) focuses on the demise of Herod. Placed side by side, these two sections provide a stark contrast to one another as the work of God proceeds in the midst of persecution.

The “King Herod” (12:1) introduced here is Herod Agrippa I, the grandson of Herod the Great, who in AD 41 gained control of the entire reign of his grandfather. A popular ruler among the Jews (Josephus, Jewish Antiquities 19.328–31), he ruled until AD 44. His popularity was probably rooted in his constant desire to please the Jews; this is supported b…