Acts 12-18

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:24

Verse 24 24.And the word of God. When the tyrant was once taken out of the way the Church was suddenly delivered, as it were, out of the jaws of the wolf. Therefore, though the faithful be accounted as sheep appointed to be slain, (Psalms 44:23,) yet the Church doth always overlive her enemies; and though the word of God seem oftentimes to be oppressed with the wicked tyranny of men, yet it getteth up the head again by and by, (Romans 8:37.) For Luke determined (771) not only what had happened... read more

John Calvin

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

Verse 25 25And Barnabas and Paul. The ministry which Luke saith Barnabas and Paul did finish, must be referred unto the alms, whereof mention was made before. For after that Agabus the prophet had foretold the famine and barrenness, the brethren gathered money at Antioch, whereby they might relieve the necessity of the church which was at Jerusalem; the carrying of this money was committed to Barnabas and Paul. Now Luke saith that they returned to Antioch, that he may pass over unto a new... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 12:1

Put for stretched, A.V.; afflict for vex, A.V. The phrase, About that time, as in Acts 19:23 , points to what had just before been related (Meyer). The interposition of the narrative in this chapter between Acts 11:20 and Acts 12:25 evidently implies that the bulk or rather the chief of the events narrated happened in the interval. Which of the events was the chief in the mind of the narrator with reference to his general narrative, and what are the coincidences which he... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 12:1-19

Herodian persecution of the Church. Connection of events showing the working of Divine providence. After Stephen's murder, Caligula persecuted the Jews; hence the diversion of their enmity coincident with conversion of Saul On the accession of Claudius, a time of comparative peace. Appointment of Herod Agrippa renewed their hopes; hence their attempt to crush the Church. The contrast between the Jews and the Christians is seen at this point. They put themselves in the hands of Agrippa, ... read more

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 12:2

James , the son of Zebedee, or James the Elder , to whom, with his brother John, our Lord gave the surname of Boanerges (which is a corruption of שׁגֶדֶ ינֵבְ ), sons of thunder. Nothing is recorded of him in the Acts but his presence in the upper room at Jerusalem after the Ascension ( Acts 1:13 ), and this his martyrdom, which was the fulfillment of our Lord's prediction in Matthew 20:23 . His being singled out by Herod for death in company with Peter is rather an indication... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 12:3

When for because, A.V. ; that it pleased for it pleased, A.V.; proceeded for proceeded further, A.V.; seize for take, A.V. ; and those for then, A.V. He proceeded to seize ( προσέθετο συλλαβεῖν ) is a Hebraism. This trait of his pleasing the Jews is in exact accordance with Josephus's description of him, as τῷ βιοῦν ἐν αὐφημίᾳ χαίρων , loving popularity, and as being very kind and sympathizing with the Jewish people, and liking to live much at... read more

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:24

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

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 12:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 12:1-19

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 12:1-24

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 12:1-25

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 12:1-25

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 12:1-25

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 12:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 12:3

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