Acts 12:6

And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. AND WHEN HEROD WOULD HAVE BROUGHT HIM FORTH, [ emellen (G3195) ... proagein (G4254)] - 'was going to bring him forth,' THE SAME NIGHT - but a few hours, therefore, before his intended execution. Thus long were the disciples kept waiting-their prayers apparently unavailing, and their faith, as would seem from the sequel, waxing feeble, Such, however, is the law of God's procedure (Deuteronomy 32:36; and see the notes at...

6._When he was about to bring him forth. _It seemeth at the first blush that the Church prayeth to small purpose, for the day was now appointed wherein Peter should be put to death, and he is within one night of death, and yet the faithful cease not to pray, because they know that when the Lord doth purpose to deliver his, he taketh his time oftentimes in the last and farthest point of necessity, and that he hath in his hand diverse ways to deliver. Secondly, we may think that they did not so much pray for Peter’s life, as that the Lord would arm him with invincible fortitude, for the glory of the gospel, and that God would [not] set the gospel of his Son open to the reproaches and slanders of the wicked. _That night he slept. _All these circumstances do more set forth the wonderful power of God, for who would not have thought that Peter was already swallowed up of death? for though he d...

6-11 A peaceful conscience, a lively hope, and the consolations of the Holy Spirit, can keep men calm in the full prospect of death; even those very persons who have been most distracted with terrors on that account. God's time to help, is when things are brought to the last extremity. Peter was assured that the Lord would cause this trial to end in the way that should be most for his glory. Those who are delivered out of spiritual imprisonment must follow their Deliverer, like the Israelites when they went out of the house of bondage. They knew not whither they went, but knew whom they followed. When God will work salvation for his people, all difficulties in their way will be overcome, even gates of iron are made to open of their own accord. This deliverance of Peter represents our redemption by Christ, which not only proclaims liberty to the captives, but brings them out of the priso...

Verse Acts 12:6. _SLEEPING BETWEEN TWO SOLDIERS, BOUND WITH TWO CHAINS_] Two soldiers guarded his person; his right hand being bound to the left hand of one, and his left hand bound to the right hand of the other. This was the Roman method of guarding their prisoners, and appears to be what is intimated in the text....

AND WHEN HEROD WOULD HAVE BROUGHT HIM FORTH - When he was about to bring him to be put to death. THE SAME NIGHT - That is, the night preceding. The intention of Herod was to bring him out as soon as the Passover was over; but during the night which immediately preceded the day in which he intended to bring him to punishment, Peter was rescued. PETER WAS SLEEPING - Here is an instance of remarkable composure, and an illustration of the effects of peace of conscience and of confidence in God. It was doubtless known to Peter what the intention of Herod was. James had just been put to death, and Peter had no reason to expect a better fate. And yet in this state he slept as quietly as if there had been no danger, and it was necessary that he should be roused even by an angel to contemplate his condition and to make his escape. There is nothing that will give quiet

EXPOSITION ACTS 12:1 _Put _for _stretched, _A.V.;_ afflict _for _vex, _A.V. The phrase, ABOUT THAT TIME, as in Acts 19:23, points to what had just before been related (Meyer). The interposition of the narrative in this chapter between Acts 11:20 and Acts 12:25 evidently implies that the bulk or rather the chief of the events narrated happened in the interval. Which of the events was the chief in the mind of the narrator with reference to his general narrative, and what are the coincidences which he wished to note, it is not easy to say with certainty. The narrative in this c

AND WHEN HEROD WOULD HAVE BROUGHT HIM FORTH,.... The next morning; so he had determined not to dismiss him, but to expose him to the people, and to put him to such a death they should choose: THE SAME NIGHT, PETER WAS SLEEPING BETWEEN TWO SOLDIERS; fearless of death, being in a good cause, and having nothing to ruffle and disturb his mind; and though he was in a prison, and in such company, God gave him, his beloved, sleep: BOUND WITH TWO CHAINS; one on one hand, and one on the other, each of which were fastened to the soldiers; that on his right hand was fastened to the left hand of the soldier, that was on that side; and that on his left hand to the right hand of the soldier, on the other side him; such security was made, that he might not get away from them; to which is added, AND THE KEEPERS BEFORE THE DOOR KEPT THE PRISON; or watched it, that nobody went in, or came out....

ACTS 12:6 proagagei/n There are four variant readings: proagagei/n (î74 A 8 36a 51 81 307 337 460 467 915 1874 _al_), prosagagei/n (B 33 254), prosa,gein (a Y 5 323 436 440 450 2180), and proa,gein (D E H L P most minuscules). In each pair of variant readings, the aorist tense is to be preferred to the present. As between the two verbs, a majority of the Committee regarded the compound with pro, to be more appropriate in the context....

CHAPTER 12 _ 1. The great Persecution by Herod Agrippa I (Acts 12:1)._ 2. The miraculous deliverance of Peter (Acts 12:6). 3. The Presumption and Judgment of Herod (Acts 12:18). 4. Barnabas and Saul returning to Jerusalem (Acts 12:24). 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 testimony followed by his martyrdom marked the close of that second offer to the city where our Lord had been crucified. Then broke out a great p

PERSECUTION OF THE CHURCH BY HEROD AGRIPPA. PETER'S ESCAPE FROM PRISON. On Agrippa, see p. 610. His persecution of the Christians was according to his general policy. The persecutions of the faithful have been hitherto from the Jews acting through their local courts or the Sanhedrin. Now there is a civil ruler, also a Jew, minded to injure them, and persecution becomes more deadly. ACTS 12:1. ABOUT THAT TIME: this must be before the death of Herod in A.D. 44; it must be after Paul's visit to Jerusalem in Galatians 2:1; Acts 11:30, for he found James and Peter and John there. [98] James the brother of the Lord is spoken of by Paul under that title in...