Remembering the former escape of the apostles from prison, Herod on this occasion had taken double precautions. 146 To prevent all possibility of release, Peter had been put under the charge of sixteen soldiers, who, in different watches, guarded him day and night. In his cell he was placed between two soldiers and was bound by two chains, each chain being fastened to the wrist of one of the soldiers. He was unable to move without their knowledge. With the prison doors securely fastened, and a strong guard before them, all chance of rescue or escape through human means was cut off. But man's extremity is God's opportunity.

I erindring om apostlens tidligere udfrielse fra fængslet havde Herodes ved denne lejlighed taget dobbelte forholdsregler. For at forhindre enhver mulighed for befrielse var Peter sat under bevogtning af seksten soldater, der i forskellige vagthold bevogtede ham både dag og nat. I cellen var han anbragt mellem to soldater og var bundet med to lænker, og hver lænke var fastgjort til en af soldaternes håndled. Han kunne ikke røre sig, uden at de mærkede det. Med de sikkert låsede fængselsdøre og en stærk vagt udenfor dem var enhver mulighed for redning eller flugt ved menneskers hjælp udelukket. Men når nøden er størst, er Gud nærmest!