_Now about that time_ When Saul and Barnabas were preparing to set out to Jerusalem, to carry thither what had been collected by the Christians at Antioch; _Herod stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church_ So wisely did God mix rest and persecution, in due time and measure succeeding ea... [ Continue Reading ]
_And because he saw it pleased the Jews_ Whose favour he laboured by all possible means to conciliate; _he proceeded to take Peter also_ Renowned as he was for such a variety of miracles wrought by him at Jerusalem. According to Josephus, (_Antiq., Acts 19:7_,) this Herod “was a great zealot for the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Peter therefore_ Till the day of his execution came; _was kept in prison_ Under the continual guard of the fore-mentioned soldiers. _But prayer without ceasing_ (The original expression, προσευχη εκτενης, signifies, _earnest_ and _importunate_, as well as _continual_ prayer;) _was made of the churc... [ Continue Reading ]
_And behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him_ Greek, επεστη, _stood over him; and a light shined in the prison_ Εν τω οικηματι, _in the house_, the whole house in which he was confined; _and he smote_ Greek, παταξας, _having smote, Peter on the side_ He awoke him; _saying, Arise up quickly. And_... [ Continue Reading ]
_When Peter was come to himself_ And perceived that the extraordinary things which had been shown him were not visionary representations, but real facts; and when he saw where he was; _he said, Now know I of a surety, that the Lord_ In whose cause I was upon the point of suffering; _hath sent his an... [ Continue Reading ]
_But Peter continued knocking_ Though they delayed to open to him; _and when_ At length, several of them, it seems, going out together; _they had opened the door, and saw him_ That it really was he; _they were astonished_ Were filled with wonder and joy, as much as they were just before with sorrow... [ Continue Reading ]
_As soon as it was day_ And they found their prisoner escaped; _there was no small stir_ [Greek, ταραχος ουκ ολιγος, _not a little tumult_, or _confusion_] _among the soldiers, what was become of Peter_ Who was gone, and nobody knew how or which way. For the guards, awaking out of their sound sleep,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Herod_, &c. The historian now proceeds to mention some circumstances that were introductory to the miserable end of Herod; _was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon_ On account of some supposed affront which he had received from them, and which provoked him so far that, having vowed a seve... [ Continue Reading ]
_And upon a set day_ When shows and games were exhibited by him in honour of Claudius Cesar; _Herod, arrayed in royal apparel_ In a garment so wrought with silver, that the rays of the rising sun, striking upon, and reflected from it, dazzled the eyes of the beholders; _sat upon his throne_ In a pub... [ Continue Reading ]
_But the word of God grew and multiplied_ Became more successful; and in every place where it was preached, the number of disciples was considerably multiplied, and their faith greatly established. So that, after all the opposition of its enemies, who had endeavoured to extirpate it, the progress of... [ Continue Reading ]