Acts 12:7

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Acts 12:1-11

Chapter 31 Prayer Almighty God, we know not what we read in thy book except thou dost teach us its meaning by thy Spirit. We have heard the letter and its music is in our ears, but we would hear the inner meaning of every word spoken to the heart itself, then shall we, though on earth, be really in heaven. Thy word is the same there as it is here, only we do not read it well. We know not all its compass. We do not yield ourselves with thankful delight to the sway and inspiration of its... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Acts 12:6-10

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. (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. (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... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Acts 12:7

An Angel. This was probably his Angel guardian. It has always been the constant belief of the Church, that each individual is put under the protection of a tutelar Angel. (Haydock) --- St. Bernard, on these words of the psalm, he has given his Angels charge over thee, thus expresses himself: Wonderful condescension! and truly great love! He has given his Angels charge over thee, to guard thee in all thy ways. What is man, O God, that thou shouldst thus be mindful of him, or the son of man,... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:6-11

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... read more

Frank Binford Hole

F. B. Hole's Old and New Testament Commentary - Acts 12:1-99

Acts 12 THIS CHAPTER HAS somewhat the nature of a parenthesis. We are again carried back to Jerusalem, to hear of Herod’s persecution of the saints, and of how God dealt with him. James the brother of John fell a victim. He was one of the three specially favoured on the mount of Transfiguration, in Gethsemane, and on other occasions. Why the Lord did not interfere on his behalf, as He did for Peter, who can tell? But He did not, and the first of the Apostolic band fell. Herod was cultivating... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Acts 12:6-10

The miraculous deliverance: v. 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. v. 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. v. 8. And the angel said unto him, Gird thy self, and bind on thy sandals. And... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Acts 12:1-25

SECTION VTHE PERSHE EXTENSION OF THE CHECUTION OF THE CHURCH IN JERUSALEM BY HEROD, AND THE EXECUTION OF JAMES; PETER IS MIRACULOUSLY DELIVERED FROM PRISON, AND WITHDRAWS FROM JERUSALEM; THE PERSECUTION IS TERMINATED BY A JUDGMENT OF GOD, WHICH OVERTAKES THE PERSECUTORActs 12:01Now [But] about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands1 to vex [maltreat] certain [some] of the church. 2And he killed [caused] James the brother of John [to be executed] with the sword. 3And because he saw... read more

Alexander MacLaren

Alexander MacLaren's Expositions of Holy Scripture - Acts 12:7

Acts THE ANGEL’S TOUCH Act_12:7 , Act_12:23 . The same heavenly agent performs the same action on Peter and on Herod. To the one, his touch brings freedom and the dropping off of his chains; to the other it brings gnawing agonies and a horrible death. These twofold effects of one cause open out wide and solemn thoughts, on which it is well to look. I. The one touch has a twofold effect. So it is always when God’s angels come, or God Himself lays His hand on men. Every manifestation of the... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - Acts 12:1-12

Loosened Bonds Acts 12:1-12 This Herod was the grandson of Herod the Great. He courted the goodwill of the Jews, though he was dissolute, cruel, and unscrupulous. How wonderful that God can spare from His work men like James, whom it has taken him so long to train!-but doubtless other and higher service awaits them. A quaternion numbered four: the total number of soldiers that guarded Peter, therefore, would be sixteen, exclusive of prison officials. But a praying household is stronger than... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - Acts 12:1-25

Again persecution broke out in Jerusalem, and the first of the apostolic band suffered martyrdom at the hands of Herod. A revealing sentence concerning Herod is that which declares that when "he saw that it [the killing of James] pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also." This, however, was not permitted by the divine overruling. The prayer of the assembled Church was heard and answered. It may remain to us a perplexing question why James was slain and Peter delivered. There is no... read more