Luke's persecution narrative focuses on the apostles, who have faced censuring, imprisonment, beatings, and at least one death from the Jewish authorities. As the church expands beyond Jerusalem, more persecutors will join the fight against it. Herod Agrippa I is a descendant of Herod the Great and an influential leader with a personal interest in maintaining stability within his province, like any Roman provincial ruler. Herod committed acts of violence against believers, including the killing of the apostle James, John's brother. Because the Jews were pleased by James' death, Herod also arrested Peter.

Like all Roman prisoners, Peter is being closely watched to prevent him from escaping. Peter is not just in jail but also restrained with chains between two guards while more guards remain stationed at the door. In the Bible, angels are depicted as powerful and sometimes frightening beings who serve God. In Acts 12:9, Peter thinks that he is experiencing a vision. Peter's escape involved miraculous events at every step. His chains fell off, he passed guards unnoticed, and an iron door opened. After escaping, Peter realized that his experience was not just a vision.

Peter goes to the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark, after being released from prison. Believers are gathered there to pray for him. He knocks on the door; Rhoda hears and recognizes his voice, but instead of opening the door, she runs back to tell the others. The group doubts her sanity when she insists someone is at the door. Still, eventually, one of them suggests that it might be Peter's "angel" (Acts 12:15). It's noteworthy that despite their prayers, the believers find it hard to believe that their prayers have been answered. Peter continues knocking until he eventually gets someone to answer the door. He explains his story and requests that they inform "James and the brothers" before leaving for a different location (verse 17). James, Jesus' brother, has become a prominent figure in the Jerusalem church.

The soldiers are upset and concerned about Peter's disappearance, according to Acts 12:18. Herod questions the soldiers, but they cannot provide any answers. As a result, Herod executes them. He then leaves Judea and goes to the north. The chapter starts with Herod attempting to kill the apostles. He managed to kill one, but the other managed to escape. Afterward, he resumed his duties as a king and dealt with the people of Tyre and Sidon, who had come to request food and calm his anger. Herod presented himself as a divine provider by sitting on his throne in robes. When he spoke, the people cheered, saying, "The voice of a god, and not of a man!" (v. 22). Although the crowd probably didn't honestly believe Herod was a god, they knew how to flatter him to gain favor. He did not give God the glory he deserved (Acts 12:23). Herod suddenly collapsed after being praised by the people, with a quick and definite outcome.

The focus now turns to Saul, an unexpected apostle. Although he has appeared sporadically in the story since Stephen's death, he now takes a central role. Along with Barnabas and John Mark, he returns to Antioch after assisting in Jerusalem. Antioch serves as the launching point for the first significant Christian mission.