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Ordinary Time · Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles: Day Mass · Year A

Acts 12:1-11

Peter Freed from Prison by an Angel

June 29, 2026

Liberation of Saint Peter, Raphael
Liberation of Saint Peter, Raphael, 1514Stanza di Eliodoro, Apostolic Palace, Vatican
Painted around a real window, so the fresco has three light sources competing with the daylight: the angel, a torch, and the moon. It is Raphael's most ambitious night piece.It is the reading, and the detail Acts insists on is that Peter thought he was dreaming until he was out in the street.RaphaelRaphael Sanzio of Urbino (1483-1520), the youngest of the three who defined the High Renaissance. He died on Good Friday at thirty-seven.Stanza di Eliodoro, Apostolic Palace, VaticanOne of the four Raphael Rooms, the papal apartments Julius II had redecorated while Michelangelo was on the chapel ceiling next door.Stanza di Eliodoro, Apostolic Palace, Vatican
Roman Lectionary
GospelMatt. 16:13-19Mt 16:13-19
Second Reading2 Tim. 4:6-8, 17-182 Tm 4:6-8, 17-18
First ReadingActs 12:1-11
Responsorial PsalmPs. 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 (5b)Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 (5b)

Overview & Insights

"Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod." (Acts 12:11)

Herod imprisons Peter and guards him closely after killing James. As the church prays, an angel wakes Peter, his chains fall off, and the gates open by themselves, and only outside does Peter realize the rescue is real.

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Commentary

Acts 12: Peter's Deliverance from Prison Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik's verse by verse evangelical commentary on Peter's rescue by the angel.

Acts 12 Commentary Precept Austin

A deep gathering of word studies and cross references verse by verse through Acts 12.

Acts 12:1 Commentaries BibleHub

Aggregates classic commentaries on Peter's night deliverance in one place.

Barnes' Notes on Acts 12 StudyLight

Albert Barnes' notes on the whole chapter of Acts 12.

Saints Peter and Paul: Reading Study Agape Bible Study

A Catholic reading study for the feast, hearing of Peter's rescue from Herod.

Background & Word Study

Book of Acts Overview (Acts 1-12) BibleProject

An animated overview of the first half of Acts and the church in Jerusalem.

Acts 12:1 Greek Interlinear BibleHub

Greek word by word with parsing and Strong's numbers for the prison rescue.

The Church Fathers

Catena on Acts 12 Catena

Patristic comments gathered verse by verse on Peter's deliverance from prison.

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