When the report of Peter's escape was brought to Herod, he was exasperated and enraged. Charging the prison guard with unfaithfulness, he ordered them to be put to death. Herod knew that no human power had rescued Peter, but he was determined not to acknowledge that a divine power had frustrated his design, and he set himself in bold defiance against God.

Da beretningen om Peters forsvinden blev forebragt Herodes, blev han ude af sig selv af raseri. Han anklagede fængselsvagten for upålidelighed og befalede, at de skulle dræbes. Herodes vidste godt, at ingen menneskelig magt havde reddet Peter, men han var fast besluttet på ikke at indrømme, at en guddommelig magt havde ødelagt hans planer, og han dristede sig til at trodse Gud.