Acts 12:7

And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. AND, BEHOLD, THE ANGEL (RATHER, 'AN ANGEL') OF THE LORD CAME UPON HIM - expressive of the suddenness and unexpectedness of the visit (compare Luke 2:9, and Acts 23:11). AND A LIGHT SHINED IN THE PRISON, [ en (G1722) too (G3588) oikeemati (G3612)] - 'in the chamber;' not the prison-house at large, but the cell in which Peter lay....

7._A light shined, _It is to be thought that Peter alone saw this light, and that the soldiers did either sleep so soundly, or else were so amazed, that they neither felt nor perceived any thing, And there might be two causes why God would have the light to shine; either that Peter might have the use thereof, and that the darkness might be no hindrance to him, or that it might be to him a sign and token of the heavenly glory. For we read oftentimes that the angels appeared with glistering brightness, even when the sun did shine, Assuredly, Peter might have gathered by the strange light that God was present, and also he ought to have made his profit thereof. When as the angel smiteth Peter’s side, it appeareth hereby what a care God hath for his, who watcheth over them when they sleep, and raiseth them when they are drowsy. And surely there were nothing more miserable than we, if the cont...

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 12:7. _SMOTE PETER ON THE SIDE_] He struck him in such a way as was just sufficient to awake him from his sleep. _HIS CHAINS FELL OFF FROM_ HIS _HANDS._] The chains mentioned above, by which he was bound to the two soldiers....

AND, BEHOLD, THE ANGEL OF THE LORD - See the notes on Acts 5:19. CAME UPON HIM - Greek: was present with him; stood near him ἐπέστη epestē. AND A LIGHT SHINED IN THE PRISON - Many have supposed that this was lightning. But light, and splendor, and shining apparel are commonly represented as the accompaniments of the heavenly beings when they visit the earth, Luke 2:9; Luke 24:4; compare Mark 9:3. It is highly probable that this light was discerned only by Peter; and it would be to him an undoubted p

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 BEHOLD, THE ANGEL OF THE LORD CAME UPON HIM,.... Suddenly and at once, and stood by him; this was one of the ministering spirits sent forth by Christ, to minister to a servant of his: AND A LIGHT SHINED IN THE PRISON; the Syriac version renders it, "in the whole house"; and the word that is used does signify an habitation, or a dwelling house properly, but is used also by the Greek writers f for a prison: this was an uncommon light produced by the angel, partly as an emblem of the presence, majesty, and power of God, who was present, to work a great deliverance; and partly for the use of Peter, that when being awaked he might see to rise and walk by: AND HE SMOTE PETER ON THE SIDE, AND RAISED HIM UP; he touched him on that side which lay uppermost, or punched him on it, in order to awake him, and raise him out of his sleep: SAYING ARISE UP QUICKLY; without delay, make haste: and...

ACTS 12:7 The Western text differs in several respects from the generally received text: an angel of the Lord appeared “to Peter” (evpe,sth [lit. “stood by”] + tw|/ Pe,trw|, D itp syrh with * copsa); light “shone _forth from him_ [the angel]” (evpe,lamyen, D, + avpV auvtou/, itgig, p syrhmg); instead of evn tw|/ oivkh,mati, itd, gig, (p) Lucifer read “in that place” (_in illo loco_); and instead of the angel’s “striking” (pata,xaj) Peter on the side in order to waken him, D itgig Lucifer speak of his “nudging” (nu,xaj) the sleeping apostle....

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...