Acts 12-18

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:21

Upon a set day, etc. - A day on which games, etc., were exhibited in honor of the Roman emperor. What this refers to, we learn from Josephus. "Herod, having reigned three years over All Judea, (he had reigned over the tetrarchy of his brother Philip four years before this), went down to Caesarea, and there exhibited shows and games in honor of Claudius, and made vows for his health. On the second day of these shows, he put on a garment made wholly of silver, and of a contexture most truly... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:23

The angel of the Lord smote him - His death was most evidently a judgment from God. Because he gave not God the glory - He did not rebuke his flatterers, but permitted them to give him that honor that was due to God alone. See on Acts 12:21 ; (note). And was eaten of worms - Whether this was the morbus pedicularis , or whether a violent inflammation of his bowels, terminating in putrefaction, did not actually produce worms, which, for several days, swarmed in his infected... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:24

But the word of God - The Christian doctrine preached by the apostles grew and multiplied - became more evident, and had daily accessions; for the spirit of revelation rested on those men, and God was daily adding to that word as circumstances required, in order to complete that testimony of his which we now find contained in the New Testament. As there is in the original an allusion to the vegetation of grain, ( ηυξανε , it grew, as corn grows, the stalk and the ear; και επληθυνετο , it... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:25

Returned from Jerusalem - That is, to Antioch, after the death of Herod. When they had fulfilled their ministry - When they had carried the alms of the Christians at Antioch to the poor saints at Jerusalem, according to what is mentioned, Acts 11:29 , Acts 11:30 , to support them in the time of the coming famine. And took with them John, whose surname was Mark - This was the son of Mary, mentioned Acts 12:12 . He accompanied the apostles to Cyprus, and afterwards in several of... read more

John Calvin

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

Verse 1 1.Here followeth new persecution raised by Herod. We see that the Church had some short truce, that it might, as it were, by a short breathing, recover some courage against the time to come, and that it might then fight afresh. So at this day there is no cause why the faithful, having borne the brunts of one or two conflicts, should promise themselves rest, (748) or should desire such a calling (749) as old overworn soldiers use to have. Let this suffice them if the Lord grant them some... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:3

Verse 3 3.Seeing that it pleased the Jews. It appeareth more plainly by this that Herod was not moved either with any zeal that he had to Moses’ law or with any hatred of the gospel, thus to persecute the Church; but that he might provide for his own private affairs, for he proceedeth in his cruelty that he may win the people’s favor; therefore we must know that there be diverse causes for which the Church is assaulted on every side. Oftentimes perverse zeal driveth the wicked headlong to fight... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:4

Verse 4 4.Adding four quaternions of soldiers. Luke doth, in this place, declare by circumstances that Peter was, as it were, shut up in his grave, so that it might seem that he was quite past hope; for as they divided the day and night into four parts by three hours, so Herod divided the watches, that four soldiers might always keep watch, and that one quaternion might succeed another every third hour. He showeth the cause why he was not forthwith put to death, because it had been an heinous... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:5

Verse 5 5.But prayers were made. Luke teacheth here that the faithful did not, in the mean season, foreslow [neglect] their duty, Peter stood in the forward (754) alone; but all the rest fought with their prayers together with him, and they aided him so much as they were able. Hereby we do also gather, that they were not discouraged, for by prayer they testify that they persist so much as they are able in defense of the cause, for which Peter is in danger of life. This place teacheth, first,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:6

Verse 6 6.When he was about to bring him forth. It seemeth at the first blush that the Church prayeth to small purpose, for the day was now appointed wherein Peter should be put to death, and he is within one night of death, and yet the faithful cease not to pray, because they know that when the Lord doth purpose to deliver his, he taketh his time oftentimes in the last and farthest point of necessity, and that he hath in his hand diverse ways to deliver. Secondly, we may think that they did... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:7

Verse 7 7.A light shined, It is to be thought that Peter alone saw this light, and that the soldiers did either sleep so soundly, or else were so amazed, that they neither felt nor perceived any thing, And there might be two causes why God would have the light to shine; either that Peter might have the use thereof, and that the darkness might be no hindrance to him, or that it might be to him a sign and token of the heavenly glory. For we read oftentimes that the angels appeared with glistering... read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:21

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:23

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:24

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:25

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

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:3

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:4

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:5

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:6

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:7

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