Acts 12-18

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 12:14

And when she knew Peter's voice ,.... often heard him preach and converse in the family: she opened not the gate for gladness , filled with joy to hear his voice, and that he was delivered from prison, and in haste to carry the welcome news to the company within, stayed not to open the gate, and let Peter in: but ran in and told how Peter stood before the gate : she went into the house in a great hurry, and related to them within, that Peter was at the door without. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 12:15

And they said unto her, thou art mad , &c.; "Or art thou not mad?" as the Ethiopic version, and two of Beza's exemplars read, and some others: they thought the girl must be out of her senses; they looked upon the thing impossible; for though they were praying for him, and praying in faith, yet they might have no expectation of a deliverance; but were praying that they might be supported under such a trial, and that it might be sanctified to them; and for Peter, that he might be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 12:16

But Peter continued knocking ,.... That they might come to him, and let him in; beginning to be impatient, and being very desirous of seeing his friends, as well as being in danger of being taken up, and had to prison again, should any of his enemies come by, who knew him: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished : they could hardly believe their own eyes; it was amazing to them, how it should be, that he should be delivered out of prison, when they knew there... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 12:17

But he beckoning unto them with the hand ,.... This is what the Jews call רמיזה , "an hint" F13 Bartenora in Misn. Gittin, c. 5. sect. 7. , which is a beckoning, or making signs, either with the head or hand: and this was now made, to hold their peace; to be silent, and not clamorous in their expressions of joy and wonder, lest it should alarm the neighbourhood, and the consequence be bad both to him and them; as also that he might have an opportunity of relating the whole affair to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 12:18

Now as soon as it was day ,.... When it was morning; as soon as there was any light in the prison, by which the guards could discern one another and their prisoners: there was no small stir among the soldiers : the two between whom Peter slept, and the rest of the quaternions that were employed in the wards to keep watch; who were now all in an uproar, and in the utmost concern and fright: what was become of Peter ; whether he was in any other part of the prison, by what means he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 12:19

And when Herod had sought for him and found him not ,.... Neither in the prison, nor in any part of the city: he examined the keepers ; of the prison, and those that were upon the watch, whether they had not been accessary to his escape: and commanded that they should be put to death : or brought forth, not before a judge to be tried and judged, because they had been examined by Herod already; but either that they should be carried and laid in bonds, or be led forth to suffer... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 12:20

And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon ,.... Two cities on the sea coast, in the land of Phoenicia; with the inhabitants of which Herod was so enraged, that though he had not declared war against them, yet he had meditated it in his mind, and intended to do it at a proper time: what gave him this offence is not certain; that it should be for entertaining and concealing of Peter, when he made his escape, is without any foundation; and nothing but this following on that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 12:21

And upon a set day ,.... Either on some feast day of divine appointment, as a feast day was by the Jews called מועד , "a stated day"; or on some day appointed by Herod, for the receiving of the ambassadors of Tyre and Sidon, and of hearing their petitions; or as Josephus F18 Antiqu. l. 19, c. 8. sect 2. says, it was on the second day of the sports and plays, instituted by him in honour of Caesar: Herod, arrayed in royal apparel ; the same Jewish historian in the same place says,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 12:22

And the people gave a shout ,.... At the end of the oration; these were flatterers, as Josephus says in the place before referred to, who cried out one from another, saluting him as God; saying, be merciful to us, hitherto we have revered thee as a man, henceforward we confess thee somewhat more excellent than mortal nature: and so it follows here, saying it is the voice of a God, and not of a man ; the Vulgate Latin version reads, "the voices of God and not men"; and the Ethiopic... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 12:23

And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him ,.... With a disease after mentioned; this angel, according to Josephus, appeared in the form of an owl; for he says, that a little after (the shout of the people) the king looked up, and saw an owl sitting upon a rope over his head; whom he immediately understood to be an angel, or messenger of evil things to him, as it had been before of good things; for it seems by the same historian F19 Ib. l. 18. c. 7. sect. 7. , that when he was... read more

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 12:14

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 12:15

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 12:16

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 12:17

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 12:18

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 12:19

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 12:20

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 12:21

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 12:22

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 12:23

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