By Tyson Thorne

August 5, 2014
 
 

PeterRuns large

Once Peter realized his escape was for real he fled to the home of a friend, John Mark. Perhaps he fled there because it was close (most likely), or because he was aware of the prayer meeting happening there, either way it was a place of safety which he desperately needed.

There is some confusion as to who John Mark is. Is this the author of the Gospel of Mark (Mark the Evangelist)? Or is this a different Mark, one whom accompanied Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey? Or is it Mark the cousin of Barnabas mentioned by Paul as a “fellow worker”? Or perhaps all three are the same person. Modern scholars mostly agree that there is one Mark, and the fact that no distinction is made throughout the New Testament is evidence to that effect. But tradition going back to the fourth century identifies them as three separate individuals. There is not enough evidence to come down cleanly on one side or the other of this debate. Regardless, he was someone Peter knew well and felt comfortable seeking shelter under his mother’s roof.

The home was likely more of an estate, for many people gathered there to pray for Peter’s life. Also, the grounds were extensive enough that when Rhoda went to answer the door (or in this case, gate) there was room enough for her to run back to tell the others. Also, the others did not hear her exchange with Peter. Rather humorously, in her excitement at Peter’s visit she forgets to let him in and hastily returns to the prayer warriors to tell them the news.

The reaction of the group is puzzling. They were gathered to pray, and what other occasion than Peter’s arrest and eminent death would have garnered their prayers? Yet when their petitions are answered they respond in disbelief! Some told Rhoda she was crazy, others speculated it may be Peter’s angel; all the while Peter, a fugitive, is knocking persistently at the gate to be let in. Peter’s situation is desperate. He wants to knock loudly enough to rouse the people in the home, but not the neighbors or guards that may be patrolling the streets. Finally someone has the sense to suggest they all go and see for themselves, and to a man they are astonished to see Peter standing there. Ostensibly God answers some prayers even when we don’t expect him to.

Overjoyed, they begin to make a fuss over him and Peter motions for their silence, again not wanting to attract attention. He quickly relates the events of the night and asks the believers to pass the news along to his fellow apostles before heading out to an undisclosed location. Peter was now on the lamb.

Judging Peter’s actions is difficult. On the one hand, had he not gone into hiding he most certainly would have been arrested and put to death. On the other hand, God may have worked again to miraculously save his life. Many looked down upon the prophet Elijah when he fled from Jezebel in fear of his life. Both Peter and Elijah had just witnessed God perform a miracle to save them from certain death, both men fled in fear, and both men continued to serve God afterword. Was running the right choice? Would it have been better to stand one’s ground and see how God might save them? If they had, would we have another miraculous tale like that of Daniel in the Lion’s den, or Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace? We’ll never know.

This passage is all about faith -- the faith of those praying and of Peter – and it begs a question of us as well: what is the measure of our faith? When we pray, do we expect God to answer? When challenged, do we expect God to rescue us? When faced with certain death, do we flee or stand firm regardless of the consequences?

 

 
 
Learn Biblical Hebrew Online

Translate

English French German Italian Portuguese Russian Spanish

GET IN TOUCH

Info@Think-Biblically.com

https://www.facebook.com/groups/620829378050965/

@Think-Bibically

How to setup an RSS of Windows Reader Service