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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 12:1-24

Sin in high places. Sin has many aspects, and it is not only curious but instructive to see how it shows itself under different conditions. Here we have it manifesting its evil spirit in "high places." Herod's action at this juncture reminds us of— I. ITS CONTEMPTUOUSNESS . "Herod … stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the Church" ( Acts 12:1 ). He did not stay to inquire whether these men were in the right or not. They had with them the most convincing credentials—strong... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 12:1-25

The world and the Church. There is, perhaps, no passage in Holy Scripture which contrasts more sharply the principles of the world and of the Church respectively, and the practice flowing from those principles, than the chapter before us. The results of each stand out no less sharply defined. I. THE WORLDLY PRINCIPLE AND PRACTICE . Not right, or truth, or justice, but sell seeking policy; to gain some selfish end without regard to the will of God or the welfare of man; the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 12:1-25

The strength and weakness of Christian discipleship. These verses bring out very strikingly the fact that there is both power and weakness in us who are the followers of Christ. We see it— I. IN APOSTOLIC FUNCTIONS . The apostles of our Lord were invested by their Divine Master with unusual powers. The Holy Ghost descended upon them and conferred great gifts on them (see Acts 5:15 , Acts 5:16 ; Acts 9:31-41 ). Peter was the chief channel through which this Divine efficacy... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 12:1-25

The persecution at Jerusalem. I. THE PUTTING TO DEATH OF JAMES , AND THE SEIZURE OF PETER . The narrative of the former event is short and dry. But, remarks a commentator, whatever the reason of this may be, it is certain that the Holy Spirit, by whose inspiration this history was given, manifested a peculiar wisdom in this very brevity. The holy silence is a sign to us that that which is highest and most pleasing to God is not precisely that of which men love to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 12:6

Was about to bring for would have brought, A.V.; guards for the keepers, A.V. What a picture we have here! The dungeon; the double chain fastening the prisoner to two soldiers; the other two soldiers of the quaternion keeping watch at the first and second ward, or station; the iron gate securely fastened; the population of the great city expecting with the morning light to be gratified with the blood of the victim of their bigotry; the king having made his arrangements for the imposing... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 12:6-17

One instance of the manner of Divine working. When we read the "mighty works" of Jesus or of those commissioned by him, whether apostles or angels, it is an easy thing to permit our attention to be diverted from anything else contained in them, under the influence of the fascination of the power which they display. For this very thing is often done, and the moral quality: the moral beauty, and even the moral imitableness of what we call the miracle, is ignored. The loss is as... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 12:7

An angel for the angel, A.V. (see note on Acts 5:19 ); stood by him for came upon him, A.V. (comp. Luke 2:9 ); cell for prison, A.V.; awoke him for raised him up, A.V. ( ἤγειρεν αὐτὸν ) ; rise for arise, A.V. Cell. The word οἴκημα , a dwelling, was used by the Athenians as an euphemism for a prison. It only occurs here in the New Testament, though it is a common Greek word. His chains fell off from his hands , showing that each hand bad been chained to a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 12:7-10

Miraculous deliverances. The series of miracles wrought by our Lord during his ministry, and the miracles associated with the history and work of his apostles, require to be very carefully compared, Sometimes miracles were wrought by the apostles as agents, and sometimes for them as teachers whose ministry it was important to preserve. And yet, when God would secure the deliverance of his imperiled servants, he did not always employ miraculous agencies. Paul and Sirius were imprisoned... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 12:8

He did so for so he did, A.V. Thy garment ( ἱμάτιον ) ; especially the outer garment, which was worn over the χιτὼν , or tunic (see Matthew 9:20 , Matthew 9:21 ; Matthew 14:36 ; Matthew 23:1-39 . 5, etc.). The girding, therefore, applied to the inner garments, and περιβαλοῦ to the cloak which went over them. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 12:9

Followed for followed him, A.V. and T.R.; he wist for wist, A.V. read more

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