Verse 5
Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made earnestly of the church unto God for him.
Prayer ... for him ... Webster and Wilkinson's Greek Testament declares that "The Greek intimates that it was incessantly kept up, always going on."[3] Thus it was a kind of perpetual prayer meeting that the church organized on behalf of Peter. If it is wondered why this was not done for James, answer probably lies in the suddenness with which he was executed almost as soon as he was apprehended, giving no time for such an effort as this on behalf of Peter.
With regard to all the snide remarks commentators have made about the church's praying for Peter's release and their total surprise when it occurred, two things are pertinent: (1) It is not declared that they prayed for Peter's release. It could be that they were praying that Peter's faith would not fail, as it had so conspicuously failed when he denied the Lord. (2) If they were praying for his release, this being not at all unlikely, then the surprise would have been at the dramatic suddenness and manner of it.
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