Acts 12:4-7

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 12:4

Taken for apprehended, A.V. ; guard for keep, A.V.; the Passover for Easter , A.V. Four quaternions ; i.e. four bands of four soldiers each, which were on guard in succession through the four watches of the night—one quaternion for each watch. The Passover. This is a decided improve-merit, as the use of the word "Easter" implies that the Christian feast is here meant. But perhaps" Feast of the Passover" would have been better, as showing that the whole seven days are... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 12:5

The prison for prison, A.V.; earnestly for without ceasing, A.V. ( ἐκτενὴς , or as in the R.T. ἐκτενῶς , has the sense of intensity rather than duration; see Luke 22:14 , T.R.; 1 Peter 1:22 ; 1 Peter 4:8 ). As the last of the days of unleavened bread approached, the prayers of the Church would be more and more intense in their earnestness. We have but to read the preceding chapters to judge how precious to the Church the life of Peter must have been. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 12:5

The Church in prayer. The primitive Church is here found, amid circumstances so full of interest that they even tempt attention, in prayer for an acknowledged leader, a prized teacher and pastor and an undoubted apostle. The Church now is praying to God for one thing, in submission to his will—that Peter may be spared to it and spared to the world. The essentials of effectual prayer in the Church cannot differ intrinsically from those in the individual; but they are strikingly presented... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 12:5

The power of united prayer. This subject is not here to be treated in its more general bearings, only so far as it finds illustration in the circumstances connected with the text, and in the sentence, "Prayer was made earnestly of the Church irate God for him;" i.e. for imprisoned St. Peter. The persecution of the early Christians arose from distinctly different causes; and the narrative associated with this text introduces a distinctly new kind of persecution. Previously the Sanhedrim,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 12:6

Was about to bring for would have brought, A.V.; guards for the keepers, A.V. What a picture we have here! The dungeon; the double chain fastening the prisoner to two soldiers; the other two soldiers of the quaternion keeping watch at the first and second ward, or station; the iron gate securely fastened; the population of the great city expecting with the morning light to be gratified with the blood of the victim of their bigotry; the king having made his arrangements for the imposing... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 12:6-17

One instance of the manner of Divine working. When we read the "mighty works" of Jesus or of those commissioned by him, whether apostles or angels, it is an easy thing to permit our attention to be diverted from anything else contained in them, under the influence of the fascination of the power which they display. For this very thing is often done, and the moral quality: the moral beauty, and even the moral imitableness of what we call the miracle, is ignored. The loss is as... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 12:7

An angel for the angel, A.V. (see note on Acts 5:19 ); stood by him for came upon him, A.V. (comp. Luke 2:9 ); cell for prison, A.V.; awoke him for raised him up, A.V. ( ἤγειρεν αὐτὸν ) ; rise for arise, A.V. Cell. The word οἴκημα , a dwelling, was used by the Athenians as an euphemism for a prison. It only occurs here in the New Testament, though it is a common Greek word. His chains fell off from his hands , showing that each hand bad been chained to a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 12:7-10

Miraculous deliverances. The series of miracles wrought by our Lord during his ministry, and the miracles associated with the history and work of his apostles, require to be very carefully compared, Sometimes miracles were wrought by the apostles as agents, and sometimes for them as teachers whose ministry it was important to preserve. And yet, when God would secure the deliverance of his imperiled servants, he did not always employ miraculous agencies. Paul and Sirius were imprisoned... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 12:4

And when he had apprehended him - When he had taken or arrested him.He put him in prison - During the solemnities of this religious festival, it would have been deemed improper to have engaged in the trial of a supposed criminal. The minds of the people were expected to be devoted solely to the services of religion; and hence, Herod chose to retain him in custody until the Passover had ended.To four quaternions of soldiers - A “quaternion” was a company of “four”; consequently the whole number... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 12:5

But prayer was made - The church was apprised of his imprisonment and danger, and had no resource but to apply to God by prayer. In scenes of danger there is no other refuge; and the result shows that even in most discouraging circumstances God can hear prayer. Nothing scarcely could appear more hopeless than the idea of rescuing Peter out of the hands of Herod, and out of the prison, and out of the custody of sixteen men, by prayer. But the prayer of faith Was prevalent with God.Without... read more

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