Note 15 at Acts 12:17: This is speaking of James, the Lord's half brother (see note 2 at Jn. 2:12, p. 88 and note 3 at Mk. 1:19, p. 115). James, the brother of John who was one of Jesus' original twelve apostles, had already been killed by Herod (Acts 12:2).

Note 16 at Acts 12:17: Peter had been delivered from the power of Herod in a very miraculous way. Four armed guards and the locked gates were no problem for the power of God released through this angel. Later in this same chapter (v. 23), the angel of the Lord struck Herod himself so that he died. Peter could have thought that no matter what he did, God would protect him. However, that is not Peter's attitude. After informing the believers about what had happened, Peter went to an undisclosed place, apparently to avoid Herod.

It is true that the Lord has the power to deliver us from any situation, but as Jesus showed us, we are never to tempt the Lord (Lk. 4:9-12). We should use wisdom to protect ourselves unless we have to compromise God's Word to do so. When Peter was delivered from prison with the other apostles in Acts 5:19, they were commanded by the angel to go speak publicly in the temple and the Lord protected them. No such instructions were given here and Peter acted prudently to hide himself.