John Calvin Commentary Acts 12:18

"Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter." — Acts 12:18 (ASV)

When it was day. Luke now returns to Herod and the soldiers, and he says that there was no small disturbance among them. For they could not suspect that Peter was taken from them by violence, or that he had escaped by some clever trick. Herod afterward examines the matter as a judge; but when he perceived that the soldiers were not at fault, he himself is also forced to be a witness of the deliverance brought about by God.

That he commands them to be taken out of his sight, or to be taken to prison, allows us to gather that their faithfulness and diligence were approved and recognized. If there had been any suspicion of negligence, punishment would have been prepared for them. But the reason he does not let them go free was partly rage, mixed with tyrannical cruelty, and partly shame. Though some interpret it differently, suggesting he commanded that they should be punished immediately.

And whether, in his anger, he delivered them to the executioner, or was content to punish them with perpetual imprisonment, it is certainly an excellent example of blindness. Although he ought to perceive the power of God—yes, even if his eyes were shut—yet he does not yield, nor does he become more humble, but proceeds to resist God out of obstinate malice. Thus Satan deprives the wicked of understanding, so that in seeing they see not. And the Lord, by striking them with this dreadful bewilderment, justly avenges Himself and His Church.