Acts 12:17

The James Luke mentioned here was the half brother of Jesus (cf. Acts 15:13; Acts 21:18; Galatians 1:19; Galatians 2:9; Galatians 2:12: James 1:1). He became the foremost leader of the Jerusalem church after Peter’s departure. Peter proceeded to disappear from Jerusalem. Scripture does not tell us where he went immediately. Probably he left Judea (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:5). Many other believers in Jerusalem were not present in Mary’s house that night. Peter wanted to be sure they learned of his release, too.

Earlier Peter had returned from prison to the temple to resume preaching at the Lord’s command (Acts 5:19-21). Now the Jews were much more hostile to the Christians. Saul had previously left Jerusalem for his own safety (Acts 9:29-30), and this time Peter followed his example. Peter had become infamous among the Jews in Jerusalem for associating with Samaritans and Gentiles as well as for being the leader of the Christians. Corinth and Rome are two places that Peter evidently visited (1 Corinthians 1:12; 1 Corinthians 9:5; 1 Peter 5:13), and various church fathers wrote that he ministered throughout the Jewish Diaspora. [Note: For many sources, see Longenecker, p. 411.] Peter also may have been in Antioch (Galatians 2:11-21), and he was in Jerusalem again for the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15:7-11; Acts 15:14), though perhaps only as a visitor.