Acts 12:12-17

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

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

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

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