Acts 12:19, Acts 12:2 KJV

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:1-25

Imprisonment of Peter. Death of Herod1-19. Persecution of the Church at Jerusalem by Herod. Martyrdom of James the son of Zebedee. Peter’s imprisonment and miraculous release. The Church was persecuted (1) by the Sadducees and chief priests, Acts 4:1; Acts 5:17; (2) afterwards by the Pharisees, Acts 6:11. and now (3) by the king of the Jews. Not till later was persecution to come from the Romans.1. About that time] viz. when relief was sent to the Church of Jerusalem (Acts 11:29-30). The death... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Acts 12:19

(19) Commanded that they should be put to death.—Literally, that they should be led away—i.e., to execution. The phrase was half-technical, half-euphemistic. Capital punishment was, according to Roman usage, the almost inevitable penalty for allowing a prisoner to escape. So at Philippi, the gaoler, when he thought the prisoners had escaped, was on the point of anticipating the sentence by suicide (Acts 16:28). See Note on Acts 27:42. read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Acts 12:1-25

The Martyrdom of St. James (For St. James the Apostle's Day) Acts 12:2 I. The close of St. James' career reminds us that the Bible, as a rule, does not dwell so much upon the persons of those who worked with the Lord as upon the work which they were instrumental in bringing out. The author of the Acts of the Apostles reminds us that, in the former treatise which he wrote, he set forth all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day He was taken up; and surely this second book might be... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Acts 12:1-25

CHAPTER 12 1. The great Persecution by Herod Agrippa I (Acts 12:1-5 ). 2. The miraculous deliverance of Peter (Acts 12:6-17 ). 3. The Presumption and Judgment of Herod (Acts 12:18-23 ). 4. Barnabas and Saul returning to Jerusalem (Acts 12:24-25 ). With this chapter we reach the conclusion of the second part of this book. Jerusalem had heard the second offer concerning the Kingdom, and mercy was ready even for the murderers of the Prince of Life. But that offer was rejected. Stephen’s... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:1-25

For a brief time again our eyes are turned toward Jerusalem and Peter, though Peter's work is no longer taking the prominent place it did at the beginning. Being the apostle to the Jews, he manifestly stands for the work of God among the Jewish people, and we are here reminded that though the Gospel is seen now to be going out to the Gentiles, God has not forgotten His people Israel. Another Herod had taken the place of the previous one, and deciding to take the initiative in persecuting the... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Acts 12:1-25

THE CHURCH AT ANTIOCH By connecting the first verse of this lesson with Acts 8:4 , it will be seen that all intervening is a parenthesis, an important one indeed, but making it necessary now to return to the martyrdom of Stephen for a new start. Be sure to consult a map for the localities in Acts 11:19-20 . Antioch, now coming into prominence as the headquarters of the Gentile church, was a beautiful and influential city, but luxurious and immoral. It was founded about 300 B.C. Saul’s great... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Acts 12:12-25

Chapter 32 Prayer Almighty God, is not our whole life a vision? We have not yet had time to consider the matter. We are still in the waking dream, and still we see men as trees walking. We cannot tell what we look upon, when we have had time to consider the matter we shall flee into the sanctuary, and tell the tale of thy wondrous providence. We bless thee for visions. These dreams make us greater, we should be poor without them, but with them we are exceeding rich. We have seen the future,... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Acts 12:18-20

Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter. (19) And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judea to Caesarea, and there abode. (20) And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Acts 12:19

Should be led [3] away to punishment or death, according to the sense both of the Latin and Greek text. (Witham) =============================== [BIBLIOGRAPHY] Jussit eos duci, Greek: apachthenai. ==================== read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:12-19

12-19 God's providence leaves room for the use of our prudence, though he has undertaken to perform and perfect what he has begun. These Christians continued in prayer for Peter, for they were truly in earnest. Thus men ought always to pray, and not to faint. As long as we are kept waiting for a mercy, we must continue praying for it. But sometimes that which we most earnestly wish for, we are most backward to believe. The Christian law of self-denial and of suffering for Christ, has not done... read more