His captors had taken every precaution. There was a heavy iron gate to the street; four squads of four soldiers each were specifically assigned to guard him. In an inner cell, Peter, Jesus' disciple, was chained securely to two soldiers, between whom he lay, shoulder to shoulder. See Acts 12:1-11 . As if that were not enough, there were two keepers before the door to his cell in the prison. The writer in Acts vividly portrays the care King Herod took to secure his prize prisoner.
Yet Peter escaped them all. The story of his midnight escape from prison inspires awe even today. The elements of his confinement seemed impenetrable. Yet the doors opened of themselves before the dazed apostle. He wasn't really sure it was happening; at first, he thought he was dreaming.
The walls, gate,
soldiers, could not keep
the angel out.
