Peter was confined in a rock-hewn cell, the doors of which were strongly bolted and barred; and the soldiers on guard were made answerable for the safekeeping of the prisoner. But the bolts and bars and the Roman guard, which effectually cut off all possibility of human aid, were but to make more complete the triumph of God in the deliverance of Peter. Herod was lifting his hand against Omnipotence, and he was to be utterly defeated. By the putting forth of His might, God was about to save the precious life that the Jews were plotting to destroy.

Peter var indespærret i en celle, der var hugget ind i klippen, og hvis døre var forsvarligt boltret med lås og slå; og de vagthavende soldater var gjort ansvarlige for fangens sikkerhed. Med bolt og slå og det romerske vagthold, som fuldstændig udelukkede al mulighed for menneskelig hjælp, skulle kun gøre Guds sejr ved Peters befrielse endnu mere fuldkommen! Herodes havde løftet hånden mod den Almægtige, og han skulle komme til at lide et afgørende nederlag. Gud ville ved at bruge sin magt frelse det dyrebare liv, som jøderne havde besluttet at tilintetgøre.