Personal study: The numbers on the left side are verse numbers.

1 A brief sketch of the infamous Herodian leaders: from William Barclay

• Herod the Great reigned from 41 BC to 1 AD. It was this Herod who murdered the baby boys at the time of Jesus’ birth (Matt 2). He was married 10 times and murdered his son, Aristobulus.

• Herod Philip I was the first husband of Herodias who asked for John the Baptist’s head on a platter (Mt 14:3, Mk 6:17, Lk 3:19) after their daughter (Salome) danced for Herod Antipas.

• Herod Antipas was the second husband of Herodias and ruler of Galilee. He killed John the Baptist (see Philip I). Jesus was also sent to him from Pilate during the passion of Jesus.

• Archelaus: Ruler of Judea, Samaria and Idumaea. Such a bad ruler that he was banished (Matt 2:22).

• Herod Philip II, ruler of Ituraea & Trachonitus. Founder of Caesarea Philippi. Mentioned in Luke 3.

• Herod Agrippa (in today’s lesson), son of Aristobulus (who was murdered by his own father, Herod the Gt). His mother, Mariamne, was a descendant of the Maccabees.

• Herod Agrippa II, to whom Paul gave testimony in Acts 25-26.

5 Herod had put 4 soldiers (4 squads of 4 in rotation) guarding Peter, but what did Peter have going for him?

See vs 12 also. Apparently how long were the other Christians praying for Peter?

6-10 Compare Peter’s "escape" with the miraculous release of Paul and Silas in Acts 16:22-35.

If you have a study bible, what further help can you find in the verses you have just read?

15 "…his angel…" Did they believe in "guardian angels"?

18-19 From these verses, what tells you that the guards had not carelessly let them escape?

19b-23 Compare Herod’s claim with that of Jesus

How would the Christian community receive news of HOW Herod died?

Men who claim greatness come and go. What truth do you find in I Peter 1:24-25?

25 We pick up Barnabas and Saul again from Acts 11:30

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