Acts 12:12-14 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 12:5-19

We have here an account of Peter's deliverance out of prison, by which the design of Herod against him was defeated, and his life preserved for further service, and a stop given to this bloody torrent. Now, I. One thing that magnified his deliverance was that it was a signal answer to prayer (Acts 12:5): Peter was kept in prison with a great deal of care, so that it was altogether impossible, either by force or by stealth, to get him out. But prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 12:12-19

12:12-19 When Peter had grasped what had happened, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John, who was surnamed Mark. There a large number had assembled together and were praying. When Peter had knocked at the door of the entrance a maidservant called Rhoda came to answer the door. She recognized Peter's voice and, in her joy, she did not open the door but ran and told them that Peter stood before the entrance. They said to her, "You are mad." She strenuously insisted that it was so;... read more

John Gill

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

And when he had considered the thing ,.... The whole of the salvation wrought for him; or rather, where he should go, to what house he should betake himself; ere he was aware, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark . This good woman seems to be a widow, no mention being made of her husband, and was sister to Barnabas, Colossians 4:10 . She is described by a son she had, whose name was John Mark, because of the frequent mention made of him hereafter; her... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 12:13

And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate , &c.; The lesser door in the great gate, or the door of the porch through which they entered into the house. So the Jews distinguish between פתח , "the door", and שער , "the gate"; see Judges 18:16 where the Septuagint use the same words as here. Kimchi F8 Sepher Shorash. rad. פתח says, "xtp, "the door" is what is of the gate, without the folding doors; for all is called שער , "the gate", whether within or without, with the... read more

John Gill

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

Adam Clarke

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

And when he had considered - When he had weighed every thing, and was fully satisfied of the Divine interposition, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark, the author of the Gospel, where it appears many were gathered together making prayer and supplication, and probably for Peter's release. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:13

As Peter knocked - The door was probably shut for fear of the Jews; and, as most of the houses in the east have an area before the door, it might have been at this outer gate that Peter stood knocking. A damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda - She came to inquire who was there. Rhoda signifies a rose; and it appears to have been customary with the Jews, as Grotius and others remark, to give the names of flowers and trees to their daughters: thus Susannah signifies a lily, Hadassah, a... read more

John Calvin

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

Verse 12 12.Into the house of Mary It appeareth that she was a matron of rare godliness, whose house was, as it were, a certain temple of God, where the brethren did use to meet together. And Luke saith that there were many assembled there, because, seeing they could not all meet together in one place without fear of some tumult, they came together in diverse places of the city in companies, as they could conveniently. For, doubtless, there were other companies gathered together elsewhere,... 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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 12:5-19

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 12:12-19

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 12:13

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

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:13

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

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 12:1-19

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 12:1-24

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