Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth _his_ hands to vex certain of the church. Ver. 1. _Now about that time_] That the famine lay sore upon the Church. Afflictions seldom come single. The saints usually fall into various temptations at once, James 1:2. _Fluctus fluctum trudit._ Job's... [ Continue Reading ]
And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. Ver. 2. _And he killed James the brother_] So styled to distinguish him from the other James, called James the Less, kinsman to Christ, and bishop of Jerusalem, as the ancients style him. (Chrysost. Hom. xxxiii, in Act.) It was wonder that Her... [ Continue Reading ]
And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) Ver. 3. _And because he saw, &c._] _Seianus ferox scelerum, quia prima provenerunt, _ saith Tacitus. It is an old trick of tyrants to curry favour with the wicked, by shedding... [ Continue Reading ]
And when he had apprehended him, he put _him_ in prison, and delivered _him_ to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. Ver. 4. _To bring him forth to the people_] But God had otherwise determined. _Sciat Cels. Vestra, _ saith Luther in a l... [ Continue Reading ]
Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. Ver. 5. _Earnest prayer was made_] _Oratio sine malis, est ut avis sine alis._ These good souls strained and stretched out themselves in prayer εκτενης, as men do that are running in a race, _Pur... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 6. _Peter was sleeping_] As having cast himself into God's everlasting arms. So did David, Psalms 3:5. So did Mr Rogers,... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 7. _And a light shined in the prison_] Gr. εν τω οικηματι, in the habitacle or conclave.... [ Continue Reading ]
And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. Ver. 8. _And follow me_] See here how by degrees (and not all at once) God oftentimes sendeth forth his prisoners (his afflicted ones) out of the pit... [ Continue Reading ]
And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. Ver. 9. _And wist not that it was true_] So Psalms 126:1. God is often better to his than their hopes, and doth exceeding abundantly for them above all that they can ask or thi... [ Continue Reading ]
When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him. Ver. 10. _When they were passed_] God could have delive... [ Continue Reading ]
And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and _from_ all the expectation of the people of the Jews. Ver. 11. _Now I know of a surety_] Faith cannot he idle, or ungrateful for benefits recei... [ Continue Reading ]
And when he had considered _the thing_, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying. Ver. 12. _Where many were gathered together praying_] Great is the force of joint prayer, when Christians set upon God _quasi manu facta, _ as... [ Continue Reading ]
And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. Ver. 13. _To hearken_] Before she opened, lest some pursuivant or such like evil angel at that time of the night should have haunted them. Opposition is _Evangelii genius, _ the life of the church, saith Calvin, Pi... [ Continue Reading ]
And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate. Ver. 14. _She opened not the door for gladness_] For "fear and great joy," as those other good women, Matthew 28:8, who had their passions; which stoics allow not in their wi... [ Continue Reading ]
And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel. Ver. 15. _It is his angel_] Or, it is his messenger, or one come from him. See a like place, Luke 7:24. Angels use not to stand at door and knock, and wait for an opening. Ferneli... [ Continue Reading ]
But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened _the door_, and saw him, they were astonished. Ver. 16. _But Peter continued knocking_] He flung not away in displeasure, because not at first knock admitted. We must also continue instant in prayer. The hand of faith never knocked in vain at t... [ Continue Reading ]
But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place. Ver. 17. _And he departed and went_] _Cedendum quidem in... [ Continue Reading ]
Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter. Ver. 18. _There was no small stir_] Huddle or hubbub, ταραχος, with fear and care how they should answer it; but this was but part of their punishment, and the least part too; there was a worse matter f... [ Continue Reading ]
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 Judaea to Caesarea, and _there_ abode. Ver. 19. _That they should be put to death_] This was just in God, but unjust in Herod. He is safest that hat... [ Continue Reading ]
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 nourished by the king's _country_. Ver. 20. _Because their country, &c._] Should not God's manifo... [ Continue Reading ]
And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. Ver. 21. _And upon a set day_] When there were solemn shows and plays acted in honour of Caesar. God picks out his time to be avenged on his enemies, then when it may be most for his glory and th... [ Continue Reading ]
And the people gave a shout, _saying, It is_ the voice of a god, and not of a man. Ver. 22. _It is the voice of a god_] ηδιστον ακουσμα επαινος, saith Xenophon. Men naturally hear nothing with more delight than their own commendation; fair words make fools vain, put them into their paradise. How mu... [ Continue Reading ]
And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost. Ver. 23. _Because he gave not glory_] Joseph is trusted with all Potiphar's goods, not with his wife: Glory is God's beloved Spouse; in the enjoying whereof he is a... [ Continue Reading ]
But the word of God grew and multiplied. Ver. 24. _But the word of God_] The Church is invincible; and truth may be oppressed a while, but not utterly suppressed. The Israelites never increased so as when Pharaoh kept them under. Fish thrive best in salt waters. The ground that is most harrowed is... [ Continue Reading ]