Acts 12:7

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Acts 12:1-19

The supernatural deliverance of Peter 12:1-19"Peter’s rescue from prison is an unusually vivid episode in Acts even when simply taken as a story about Peter. Because it is not connected with events in the chapters immediately before and after it, however, it may seem rather isolated and unimportant for Acts as a whole. Yet it becomes more than a vivid account of an isolated miracle when we probe below the surface, for this story is an echo of other stories in Luke-Acts and in Jewish Scripture.... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Acts 12:1-24

4. The persecution of the Jerusalem church 12:1-24The saints in Jerusalem not only suffered as a result of the famine, they also suffered because Jewish and Roman governmental opposition against them intensified as time passed. Luke recorded the events in this section to illustrate God’s supernatural protection and blessing of the church, even though the Christians suffered increased persecution, and Israel’s continued rejection of her Messiah. Looked at another way, this section confirms... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Acts 12:7

Again an angel of the Lord (Gr. angelos kyriou) visited Peter in prison (Acts 5:19; cf. Acts 8:26; Acts 12:23). A light also illuminated his cell (cf. Acts 9:3). The angel instructed him to get up quickly, and when he did his chains fell from his hands. Peter’s guards slept through the whole event."Luke clearly regards Peter’s escape as a miracle, a divine intervention by a supernatural visitant (cf. Luke 2:9) . . ." [Note: Neil, p. 149.] Thomas Watson, the Puritan preacher, reportedly said,... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:1-25

Imprisonment of Peter. Death of Herod1-19. Persecution of the Church at Jerusalem by Herod. Martyrdom of James the son of Zebedee. Peter’s imprisonment and miraculous release. The Church was persecuted (1) by the Sadducees and chief priests, Acts 4:1; Acts 5:17; (2) afterwards by the Pharisees, Acts 6:11. and now (3) by the king of the Jews. Not till later was persecution to come from the Romans.1. About that time] viz. when relief was sent to the Church of Jerusalem (Acts 11:29-30). The death... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Acts 12:7

(7) The angel of the Lord came upon him.—The phrase is identical with that of Luke 2:9. The absence of the article in the Greek leaves it open to render it either as “the angel” or “an angel.” The “light” in this instance corresponds to the “glory of the Lord” in that.In the prison.—Literally, in the dwelling, or chamber. The term appears to be used as an euphemism for “prison.” read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Acts 12:1-25

The Martyrdom of St. James (For St. James the Apostle's Day) Acts 12:2 I. The close of St. James' career reminds us that the Bible, as a rule, does not dwell so much upon the persons of those who worked with the Lord as upon the work which they were instrumental in bringing out. The author of the Acts of the Apostles reminds us that, in the former treatise which he wrote, he set forth all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day He was taken up; and surely this second book might be... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Acts 12:1-25

CHAPTER 12 1. The great Persecution by Herod Agrippa I (Acts 12:1-5 ). 2. The miraculous deliverance of Peter (Acts 12:6-17 ). 3. The Presumption and Judgment of Herod (Acts 12:18-23 ). 4. Barnabas and Saul returning to Jerusalem (Acts 12:24-25 ). With this chapter we reach the conclusion of the second part of this book. Jerusalem had heard the second offer concerning the Kingdom, and mercy was ready even for the murderers of the Prince of Life. But that offer was rejected. Stephen’s... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Acts 12:7

12:7 And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon [him], and a light shined in the {c} prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from [his] hands.(c) Literally, "habitation"; (Ed.). read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:1-25

For a brief time again our eyes are turned toward Jerusalem and Peter, though Peter's work is no longer taking the prominent place it did at the beginning. Being the apostle to the Jews, he manifestly stands for the work of God among the Jewish people, and we are here reminded that though the Gospel is seen now to be going out to the Gentiles, God has not forgotten His people Israel. Another Herod had taken the place of the previous one, and deciding to take the initiative in persecuting the... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Acts 12:1-25

THE CHURCH AT ANTIOCH By connecting the first verse of this lesson with Acts 8:4 , it will be seen that all intervening is a parenthesis, an important one indeed, but making it necessary now to return to the martyrdom of Stephen for a new start. Be sure to consult a map for the localities in Acts 11:19-20 . Antioch, now coming into prominence as the headquarters of the Gentile church, was a beautiful and influential city, but luxurious and immoral. It was founded about 300 B.C. Saul’s great... read more