That time [ε κ ε ι ν ο ν τ ο ν κ α ι ρ ο ν]. More correctly, that juncture. See on ch. Acts 1:7. The date is A. D. 44. Herod the king. Called also Agrippa, and commonly known as Herod Agrippa I, the grandson of Herod the Great. Stretched forth his hands [ε π ε β α λ ε ν τ α ς χ ε ι ρ α ς]. Lit. la... [ Continue Reading ]
Killed - with the sword. While the martyrdom of Stephen is described at length, that of James, the first martyr among the apostles, is related in two words.... [ Continue Reading ]
He proceeded to take [π ρ ο σ ε θ ε τ ο σ υ λ λ α β ε ι ν]. Rev., seize. Lit., he added to take. A Hebrew form of expression. Compare Luke 19:11, he added and spake; Luke 20:12, again he sent a third; lit., he added to send.... [ Continue Reading ]
Quaternions. A quaternion was a body of four soldiers; so that there were sixteen guards, four for each of the four night - watches. The passover. The whole seven days of the feast. Bring him forth [α ν α γ α γ α γ ε ι ν α υ τ ο ν]. Lit., lead him up; i e., to the elevated place where the tribunal... [ Continue Reading ]
Without ceasing [ε κ τ ε ν η ς]. Wrong. The word means earnest. See on fervently, 1 Peter 1:22; and compare instantly, Acts 26:7; more earnestly, Luke 22:44; fervent, 1 Peter 4:8. The idea of continuance is, however, expressed here by the finite verb with the participle. Very literally, prayer was a... [ Continue Reading ]
Would have brought. Rev., correctly, was about to bring. Kept [ε τ η ρ ο υ ν]. See on reserved, 1 Peter 1:4. The imperfect, were keeping.... [ Continue Reading ]
Came upon [ε π ε σ τ η]. Better, as Rev., stood by. See on ch. Acts 4:1; and compare Luke 2:9. Prison [ο ι κ η μ α τ ι]. Not the prison, but the cell where Peter was confined. So, rightly, Rev.... [ Continue Reading ]
Garment [ι μ α τ ι ο ν]. The outer garment, or mantle. See on Matthew 5:40.... [ Continue Reading ]
Ward [φ υ λ α κ η ν]. Better, watch : the soldiers on guard. Explanations of the first and second watch differ, some assuming that the first was the single soldier on guard at the door of Peter's cell, and the second, another soldier at the gate leading into the street. Others, that two soldiers wer... [ Continue Reading ]
When he had considered [σ υ ν ι δ ω ν]. The verb strictly means to see together, or at the same time. Hence, to see in one view, to take in at a glance. Peter's mental condition is described by two expressions : First, he came to himself (ver. 12), or, lit., when he had become present in himself; de... [ Continue Reading ]
Door of the gate. The small outside door, forming the entrance from the street, and opening into the pulwn, or doorway, the passage from the street into the court. Others explain it as the wicket, a small door in the larger one, which is less probable. A damsel [π α ι δ ι σ κ η]. Or maid. The word... [ Continue Reading ]
She knew. Or recognized.... [ Continue Reading ]
Constantly affirmed [δ ι ι σ χ υ ρ ι ζ ε τ ο]. Better, confidently affirmed; constant is used in its older sense of consistent. The verb contains two ideas : strong assertion [ι σ χ υ ς], and holding to the assertion through all contradiction [δ ι α]; hence, she strongly and consistently asserted.... [ Continue Reading ]
Beckoning [κ α τ α σ ε ι σ α ς]. Lit., having shaken downward with his hand, in order to bespeak silence and attention. It was a familiar gesture of Paul. See ch. Acts 21:40; Acts 26:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
Examined [α ν α κ ρ ι ν α ς]. See on Luke 23:14; and compare ch. 4 9. Put to death [α π α χ θ η ν α ι]. Lit., led away; i e., to execution. A technical phrase like the Latin ducere. Compare Matthew 27:31. Abode (die triben). Originally, to rub away, or consume; hence, of time, to spend.... [ Continue Reading ]
Highly displeased [θ υ μ ο μ α χ ω ν]. Originally, to fight desperately : but as there is no record of any war of Herod with the Tyrians and Sidonians, the word is to be taken in the sense of the A. V. Only here in New Testament. Chamberlain [τ ο ν ε π ι τ ο υ κ ο ι τ ω ν ο ς]. Lit., the one over t... [ Continue Reading ]
Set [τ α κ τ η]. Appointed. Only here in New Testament. What the festival was, is uncertain. According to some, it was in honor of the emperor's safe return from Britain. Others think it was to celebrate the birthday of Claudius; others that it was the festival of the Quinquennalia, observed in hono... [ Continue Reading ]
The people [δ η μ ο ς]. The assembled people. A God. As most of the assembly were heathen, the word does not refer to the Supreme Being, but is to be taken in the pagan sense - a God.... [ Continue Reading ]
An angel of the Lord smote him. An interesting parallel is furnished by the story of Alp Arslan, a Turkish prince of the eleventh century. "The Turkish prince bequeathed a dying admonition to the pride of kings. 'In my youth, ' said Alp Arslan, 'I was advised by a sage to humble myself before God; t... [ Continue Reading ]