Acts 12

Acts 12:1

HErod] He was nephew of Herod the great, and sonne of Aristobulus, a Viceroy or Deputie king to the Emperour of Rome, for the government of the Jews.

stretched forth his hands] Or, began.

Acts 12:2

killed James] This was one of the sons of Zebedens, Matthew 4:21. & Matthew 10:2. There was another so named, which was the son of Alpheus, of whom vers. 17.

Acts 12:3

the dayes of unleavened bread] These words intimate the cause why he deferred Peters execution, for reverence of the Passeover, which lasted eight dayes. See Ch. 20. 6.

Acts 12:4

four quaternions of souldiers] The number being sixteen, was divided by fours, to keep divers Wards.

Acts 12:5

prayer was made without ceasing] Or, instant and earnest prayer was made.

Acts 12:7

the angel of the Lord] Chap. 5. 19.

the prison] Or, the house.

Acts 12:8

thy sandals] Which were a kinde of light shooes, tyed on with strings, after the manner and convenience of those hot countreys.

Acts 12:10

which opened] By the command and power of God.

Acts 12:11

all the expectation] For they looked that Herod would have put him to death, as he purposed, and had done to James before, vers. 2.

Acts 12:13

to hearken] Or, to ask who was there.

Acts 12:15

It is his angel] Meaning, according to the common opinion, an Angel guardian, which they might suppose came to signifie his death, whom they in reason might give for dead. See Matthew 18:10. Psal 34. 7. & 91. 11.

angel] Or, messenger, as Malachi 3:1.

Acts 12:17

James] The sonne of Alpheus, James the lesse, Mark 15:40. called the brother of (that is, kinsman of) the Lord, Galatians 1:19. yet surviving, vers. 2. Matthew 10:3. Luke 6:15. Chap 15. 13. Antiquitie took him to be Superintendent, or Bishop of the Church of Jerusalem. See Chap. 21. 17, 18. Galatians 2:9. Chrysost. hom. 33. in Act.

another place] Some more secret and secure place, for fear of pursuit, when they should misse him in the prison.

Acts 12:19

put to death] Gr. led away; that is, to execution.

be went] Meaning Peter.

Acts 12:20

was highly displeased] Or, bare an hostile minde, intending warre.

the kings chamberlain] Gr. that was over the kings bedchamber.

their countrey] See 1 King. 5. 9, 11. Ezekiel 27:17.

Acts 12:21

set day] Probably it was appointed for audience of the Tyrian and Sidonian Commissioners about the peace.

Acts 12:23

he gave not] Because he suppressed not their impious flattery, but rather encouraged them by countenancing the same.

eaten of worms] Or, vermin. Some write that his Grandfather also was eaten of Lice.

Acts 12:24

the word of God] Was happily preached, and was received of many, with good fruit of faith and obedience; as Col. 1. 6. Acts 19:20.

Acts 12:25

ministerie] Or, charge, Chap. 11. 29. 30. Which was to carry the beneolence of the Christians of Antiochia to the Saints at Jerusalem.