Acts 12

1. Herod the king. This was Herod Agrippa I., an able and popular prince, son of Aristobulus and Bernice, and grandson of Herod the Great. He had been brought up at Rome, and by successive grants from Caligula and Claudius had become king of all Palestine. He courted the Jews by professing to be zealous for the law; but was unprincipled and licentious, and adopted many heathen customs. See Joseph, Antiq. xix. 7, § 3.

stretched forth his hands, etc. Rather, “laid hands on certain of the Church to do them ill.”

2 he killed James. See Matt. iv. 21; xx. 20-23; Mark v. 37, and notes. James was the first of the apostles to suffer death; his brother appears to have survived all the rest.

3 the days of unleavened bread. See Exod. xii. 15, 16. Herod generally resided at Cesarea, but came to Jerusalem at the great festivals.

4 four quaternions. Four soldiers for each of the four watches of the night: one at each of the doors of the prison, forming the first and second guards (10), and two chained to the prisoner (6).

after Easter. Rather, “after the Passover” (R.V.), here probably meaning the whole festival, during which the stricter Jews would not like a criminal to be executed.

5 without ceasing. Or, “earnestly” (R.V.).

6 the same night. The night preceding his intended trial or execution.

7 the angel. Rather, “an angel.”

a light. Such as often attended visitants from heaven (Luke ii. 9). It might now facilitate the prisoner’s escape.

in the prison. Rather, “in the cell” (R.V.).

8 garment. That is, the cloak: see note on Matt. v. 40.

10 the first and second ward. Or “guard,” viz., the soldiers posted, one probably at the door of the cell, and the other at the outer gate of the prison.

12. And when he had considered [the thing]. Rather, “and having become aware of [his position], he came,” etc. Recovering from his amazement, he reached Mary’s house, and knocked there. This was one of the providential coincidences; for many were just then assembled there to pray (5).

13 named Rhoda. Or “Rose.” The graphic narrative is that of an eye-witness. Mark must often have spoken with Paul and Barnabas of the incident; or, as they seem to have been themselves in Jerusalem at the time, they may have been among those gathered for prayer in Mary’s house.

15 it is his angel. His guardian angel. The inspired writer records this simply as the opinion of the speakers.

17. James. Probably James the Just, the

“brother of the Lord,” president of the Church at Jerusalem (xv. 13; xxi. 18; Gal. ii. 12).

went into another place. Peter seems to have left Jerusalem for a time; but he returned afterwards: see xv. 7.

19 put to death. Lit., “to be led off” to punishment; which in such a case would be death.

Cæsarea. See note on viii. 40. Josephus (Antiq. xix. 8, § 2) relates that Herod went down to Cæsarea to celebrate games in honour of the emperor Claudius.

20 was highly displeased. For some reason now unknown. “Desired peace” is, more accurately, “sued for peace.”

because their country was nourished, etc. Cp. 2 Sam. v. 10; 1 Kings v. 9, 11, and note; Ezra iii. 7; Ezek. xxvii. and notes. The prevailing dearth made the maritime and commercial towns feel the importance of friendly relations with the agricultural districts of the interior.

22,23. Josephus (see on ver. 19) gives a similar but more diffuse account of Herod’s death, after five days of great suffering; but only the inspired historian assigns its cause—the stroke of God, because he had accepted the impious flattery.

23 the angel. “An angel,” as ver. 7.

24 grew and multiplied. Amidst all these events, adverse or propitious, God’s work continued to prosper, “growing” in influence, “multiplying” in the number of its adherents. Judæa was now again governed by a Roman procurator (Cuspius Fadus), who was not disposed to court the favour of the Jews by persecuting the Christians.

25 their ministry. That is, their ministration to the poor at Jerusalem, mentioned in xi. 29, 30. This visit to Jerusalem is not mentioned with others by Paul in Gal. i., ii.; being probably a short and private one.