Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
Matthew Henry

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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 12:20-25

In these verses we have, I. The death of Herod. God reckoned with him, not only for his putting James to death, but for his design and endeavour to put Peter to death; for sinners will be called to an account, not only for the wickedness of their deeds, but for the wickedness of their endeavours (Ps. 28:4), for the mischief they have done and the mischief they would have done. It was but a little while that Herod lived after this. Some sinners God makes quick work with. Observe, 1. How the... 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

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 12:20-25

12:20-25 Herod was furious with the people of Tyre and Sidon. But they came to him with a common purpose. They gained the ear of Blastus the king's chamberlain and sued for peace because their country was dependent for its sustenance on the king's territory. Upon an agreed day Herod put on his royal robes and seated himself on a throne and made a speech to them. The people cried out, "It is the voice of a God and not of a man." Immediately the angel of the Lord struck him because he did not... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 12:18

Now as soon as it was day ,.... When it was morning; as soon as there was any light in the prison, by which the guards could discern one another and their prisoners: there was no small stir among the soldiers : the two between whom Peter slept, and the rest of the quaternions that were employed in the wards to keep watch; who were now all in an uproar, and in the utmost concern and fright: what was become of Peter ; whether he was in any other part of the prison, by what means he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 12:19

And when Herod had sought for him and found him not ,.... Neither in the prison, nor in any part of the city: he examined the keepers ; of the prison, and those that were upon the watch, whether they had not been accessary to his escape: and commanded that they should be put to death : or brought forth, not before a judge to be tried and judged, because they had been examined by Herod already; but either that they should be carried and laid in bonds, or be led forth to suffer... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 12:20

And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon ,.... Two cities on the sea coast, in the land of Phoenicia; with the inhabitants of which Herod was so enraged, that though he had not declared war against them, yet he had meditated it in his mind, and intended to do it at a proper time: what gave him this offence is not certain; that it should be for entertaining and concealing of Peter, when he made his escape, is without any foundation; and nothing but this following on that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 12:21

And upon a set day ,.... Either on some feast day of divine appointment, as a feast day was by the Jews called מועד , "a stated day"; or on some day appointed by Herod, for the receiving of the ambassadors of Tyre and Sidon, and of hearing their petitions; or as Josephus F18 Antiqu. l. 19, c. 8. sect 2. says, it was on the second day of the sports and plays, instituted by him in honour of Caesar: Herod, arrayed in royal apparel ; the same Jewish historian in the same place says,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 12:22

And the people gave a shout ,.... At the end of the oration; these were flatterers, as Josephus says in the place before referred to, who cried out one from another, saluting him as God; saying, be merciful to us, hitherto we have revered thee as a man, henceforward we confess thee somewhat more excellent than mortal nature: and so it follows here, saying it is the voice of a God, and not of a man ; the Vulgate Latin version reads, "the voices of God and not men"; and the Ethiopic... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 12:23

And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him ,.... With a disease after mentioned; this angel, according to Josephus, appeared in the form of an owl; for he says, that a little after (the shout of the people) the king looked up, and saw an owl sitting upon a rope over his head; whom he immediately understood to be an angel, or messenger of evil things to him, as it had been before of good things; for it seems by the same historian F19 Ib. l. 18. c. 7. sect. 7. , that when he was... read more

Grupo de Marcas