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Acts Chapter
Twelve
Acts 12
Herod
to please the Jews
begins to persecute the
assembly in that city. We may remark here
that the company of believers at
Antioch are also called the assembly (church)
which is the case nowhere else
as yet. All were accounted as forming a part integrally of the work at
Jerusalem
(18-) even as all Jews were in connection with that centre of their
religious system
however numerous their synagogues or great the influence of
their rabbis. Every Jew
as such
sprang from Jerusalem. Barnabas and Saul
assemble with the church or assembly at Antioch. A local assembly
conscious of
its existence-distinct from
while connected with
Jerusalem-has been formed;
and assemblies without a metropolis begin to appear.
To return to Jerusalem. Herod
an impious king
and in certain
respects a type of the adversary-king at the end
begins to persecute the
faithful remnant at Jerusalem. It is not only the Jews who are opposed to them.
The king-whom
as Jews
they detested-unites himself to them by his hatred to
the heavenly testimony
thinking to win their favour by this means. He kills
James
and proceeds to take Peter and put him in prison. But God preserves His
servant
and delivers him by His angel in answer to the prayers of the saints.
He allows some to be slain (happy witnesses to their heavenly portion in
Christ)
and preserves others to carry on the testimony on earth
in spite of
all the power
apparently irresistible
of the enemy-a power which the Lord
baffles by the manifestation of that which belongs to Him and to Him alone
and
which He employs when He will and how He will. The poor saints
although
praying fervently (they had prayer-meetings in those days)
can hardly believe
when Peter comes to the door
that God had really granted their prayer. The
desire presents itself sincerely to God; faith can scarcely reckon upon Him.
Herod
confounded by the power of Him whom he resisted
condemns the instruments of his hatred to death
and goes away to the Gentile
seat of his authority. There displaying his glory
and accepting the adulatory
homage of the people
as thoughhe were a god
God Himself smites him
and shews
that He is the governor of this world
however great the pride of man. But the
word of God extends through His grace; and Barnabas and Saul
having fulfilled
their ministry
return to Antioch
taking with them John whose surname was
Mark.
── John Darby《Synopsis of Acts》
Acts 12
Chapter Contents
The martyrdom of James
and the imprisonment of Peter.
(1-5) He is delivered from prison by an angel. (6-11) Peter departs
Herod's
rage. (12-19) The death of Herod. (20-25)
Commentary on Acts 12:1-5
(Read Acts 12:1-5)
James was one of the sons of Zebedee
whom Christ told
that they should drink of the cup that he was to drink of
and be baptized with
the baptism that he was to be baptized with
Matthew 20:23. Now the words of Christ were made
good in him; and if we suffer with Christ
we shall reign with him. Herod
imprisoned Peter: the way of persecution
as of other sins
is downhill; when
men are in it
they cannot easily stop. Those make themselves an easy prey to
Satan
who make it their business to please men. Thus James finished his
course. But Peter
being designed for further services
was safe; though he
seemed now marked out for a speedy sacrifice. We that live in a cold
prayerless generation
can hardly form an idea of the earnestness of these holy
men of old. But if the Lord should bring on the church an awful persecution
like this of Herod
the faithful in Christ would learn what soul-felt prayer
is.
Commentary on Acts 12:6-11
(Read Acts 12:6-11)
A peaceful conscience
a lively hope
and the
consolations of the Holy Spirit
can keep men calm in the full prospect of
death; even those very persons who have been most distracted with terrors on
that account. God's time to help
is when things are brought to the last
extremity. Peter was assured that the Lord would cause this trial to end in the
way that should be most for his glory. Those who are delivered out of spiritual
imprisonment must follow their Deliverer
like the Israelites when they went
out of the house of bondage. They knew not whither they went
but knew whom
they followed. When God will work salvation for his people
all difficulties in
their way will be overcome
even gates of iron are made to open of their own
accord. This deliverance of Peter represents our redemption by Christ
which
not only proclaims liberty to the captives
but brings them out of the
prison-house. Peter
when he recollected himself
perceived what great things
God had done for him. Thus souls delivered out of spiritual bondage
are not at
first aware what God has wrought in them; many have the truth of grace
that
want evidence of it. But when the Comforter comes
whom the Father will send
sooner or later
he will let them know what a blessed change is wrought.
Commentary on Acts 12:12-19
(Read Acts 12:12-19)
God's providence leaves room for the use of our prudence
though he has undertaken to perform and perfect what he has begun. These
Christians continued in prayer for Peter
for they were truly in earnest. Thus
men ought always to pray
and not to faint. As long as we are kept waiting for
a mercy
we must continue praying for it. But sometimes that which we most
earnestly wish for
we are most backward to believe. The Christian law of
self-denial and of suffering for Christ
has not done away the natural law of
caring for our own safety by lawful means. In times of public danger
all
believers have God for their hiding-place; which is so secret
that the world
cannot find them. Also
the instruments of persecution are themselves exposed
to danger; the wrath of God hangs over all that engage in this hateful work.
And the range of persecutors often vents itself on all in its way.
Commentary on Acts 12:20-25
(Read Acts 12:20-25)
Many heathen princes claimed and received Divine honours
but it was far more horrible impiety in Herod
who knew the word and worship of
the living God
to accept such idolatrous honours without rebuking the
blasphemy. And such men as Herod
when puffed with pride and vanity
are
ripening fast for signal vengeance. God is very jealous for his own honour
and
will be glorified upon those whom he is not glorified by. See what vile bodies
we carry about with us; they have in them the seeds of their own dissolution
by which they will soon be destroyed
whenever God does but speak the word. We
may learn wisdom from the people of Tyre and Sidon
for we have offended the
Lord with our sins. We depend on him for life
and breath
and all things; it
surely then behoves us to humble ourselves before him
that through the
appointed Mediator
who is ever ready to befriend us
we may be reconciled to
him
lest wrath come upon us to the utmost.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on Acts》
Acts 12
Verse 2
[2] And
he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
James the brother of John — So one of the brothers went to God the first
the other the last of the
apostles.
Verse 3
[3] And because he saw it pleased the Jews
he proceeded further to take Peter
also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)
Then were the days of unleavened bread — At which the Jews came together from all parts.
Verse 4
[4] And
when he had apprehended him
he put him in prison
and delivered him to four
quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth
to the people.
Four quaternions —
Sixteen men
who watched by turns day and night.
Verse 5
[5]
Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the
church unto God for him.
Continual prayer was made for him — Yet when their prayer was answered
they could scarce believe it
Acts 12:15. But why had they not prayed for St.
James also? Because he was put to death as soon as apprehended.
Verse 6
[6] And when Herod would have brought him forth
the same night Peter was
sleeping between two soldiers
bound with two chains: and the keepers before
the door kept the prison.
Peter was sleeping —
Easy and void of fear; between two soldiers - Sufficiently secured to human
appearance.
Verse 7
[7] And
behold
the angel of the Lord came upon him
and a light shined in the prison:
and he smote Peter on the side
and raised him up
saying
Arise up quickly.
And his chains fell off from his hands.
His chains —
With which his right arm was bound to one of the soldiers
and his left arm to
the other.
Verse 8
[8] And
the angel said unto him
Gird thyself
and bind on thy sandals. And so he did.
And he saith unto him
Cast thy garment about thee
and follow me.
Gird thyself —
Probably he had put off his girdle
sandals
and upper garment
before he lay
down to sleep.
Verse 10
[10] When
they were past the first and the second ward
they came unto the iron gate that
leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went
out
and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from
him.
The first and second ward — At each of which doubtless was a guard of soldiers.
The gate opened of its own accord — Without either Peter or the angel touching it.
And they went on through one street — That Peter might know which way to go.
And the angel departed from him — Being himself sufficient for what remained to be done.
Verse 11
[11] And
when Peter was come to himself
he said
Now I know of a surety
that the Lord
hath sent his angel
and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod
and from
all the expectation of the people of the Jews.
Now I know of a truth — That this is not a vision
Acts 12:9.
Verse 12
[12] And
when he had considered the thing
he came to the house of Mary the mother of
John
whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.
And having considered — What was best to be done.
Many were gathered together — At midnight.
Verse 13
[13] And
as Peter knocked at the door of the gate
a damsel came to hearken
named
Rhoda.
The gate — At
some distance from the house; to hearken - If any knocked.
Verse 14
[14] And
when she knew Peter's voice
she opened not the gate for gladness
but ran in
and told how Peter stood before the gate.
And knowing Peter's voice — Bidding her open the door.
Verse 15
[15] And
they said unto her
Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even
so. Then said they
It is his angel.
They said
Thou art mad — As we say
Sure you are not in your senses to talk so.
It is his angel — It
was a common opinion among the Jews
that every man had his particular guardian
angel
who frequently assumed both his shape and voice. But this is a point on
which the Scriptures are silent.
Verse 17
[17] But
he
beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace
declared unto them
how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said
Go shew these
things unto James
and to the brethren. And he departed
and went into another
place.
Beckoning to them —
Many of whom being amazed
were talking together.
And he said
Show these things to James — The brother or kinsman of our Lord
and author of the epistle which
bears his name. He appears to have been a person of considerable weight and
importance
probably the chief overseer of that province
and of the Church in
Jerusalem in particular.
He went into another place — Where he might be better concealed till the storm was over.
Verse 19
[19] And
when Herod had sought for him
and found him not
he examined the keepers
and
commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to
Caesarea
and there abode.
Herod commanded them to be put to death — And thus the wicked suffered in the room of the righteous.
And going down from Judea — With shame
for not having brought forth Peter
according to his
promise.
Verse 20
[20] And
Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one
accord to him
and
having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend
desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's country.
Having gained Blastus — To their side
they sued for
and obtained peace - Reconciliation with
Herod. And so the Christians of those parts were
by the providence of God
delivered from scarcity.
Their country was nourished — Was provided with
corn
by the king's country - Thus Hiram also
king
of Tyre
desired of Solomon food or corn for his household
1 Kings 5:9.
Verse 21
[21] And
upon a set day Herod
arrayed in royal apparel
sat upon his throne
and made
an oration unto them.
And on a set day —
Which was solemnized yearly
in honour of Claudius Cesar; Herod
arrayed in
royal apparel - In a garment so wrought with silver
that the rays of the
rising sun striking upon
and being reflected from it
dazzled the eyes of the
beholders.
The people shouted
It is the voice of a god — Such profane flattery they frequently paid to princes. But the
commonness of a wicked custom rather increases than lessens the guilt of it.
Verse 23
[23] And
immediately the angel of the Lord smote him
because he gave not God the glory:
and he was eaten of worms
and gave up the ghost.
And immediately —
God does not delay to vindicate his injured honour; an angel of the Lord smote
him - Of this other historians say nothing: so wide a difference there is
between Divine and human history! An angel of the Lord brought out Peter; an
angel smote Herod. Men did not see the instruments in either case. These were
only known to the people of God.
Because he gave not glory to God — He willingly received it to himself
and by this sacrilege filled up the
measure of his iniquities. So then vengeance tarried not.
And he was eaten by worms
or vermin — How changed! And on the fifth day expired in exquisite torture. Such was
the event! The persecutor perished
and the Gospel grew and multiplied.
Verse 25
[25] And
Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem
when they had fulfilled their
ministry
and took with them John
whose surname was Mark.
Saul returned — To
Antioch; taking John
surnamed Mark - The son of Mary
(at whose house the
disciples met
to pray for Peter
) who was sister to Barnabas.
── John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on
Acts》
Chapter 12. Herod's Persecution
Rhoda Overjoyed
People Astonished
I. The Martyrdom
of James the Apostle
II. Peter
Prisoned and Rescued
III. Herod's
Death
── Chih-Hsin Chang《An Outline of The New Testament》