James killed, Peter rescued by an angel, and Herod struck by God
| Text | Comments |
| 1 ¶ Now about that time
Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.
2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. 3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) .4 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. |
2 -
He killed James As we yield our lives for the service and
glory of God, it is not ours to choose what happens to us on this earth.
We may know, however, our eternal destiny, and in the perspective of the
ages, we will see the real value of divine wisdom.
4 - Easter "Passover" is the correct translation for pascha. "Easter" is is from the Norse word, Eôstre, and from Anglo-Saxon . Eôstre was a pagan fertility festival celebrated at the yearly vernal equinox. This was one of the christianized, pagan worship practices added to the church in seeking a common religion. You can see how Easter eggs and rabbits fit into the picture. The Roman Bishops insisted that Easter be always on a Sunday. Easter was substituted for the Jewish Passover in the 2nd Century (Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, v. 23-25). In the Acts story the king planned to execute Peter after the Passover which was celebrated for several days. |
| 5 ¶ Peter therefore was
kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto
God for him.
6 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. .7 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. 8 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. 9 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. |
Sleep Peter's confidence is significant here, but the guards were all apparently sleeping, too, or God had otherwise shut their senses to what was happening 1sa2612. |
| 10 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.
.11 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. 12 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. |
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| 13 And as Peter knocked
at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.
14 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. 15 And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel. 16 But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished. 17 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. |
This has to be one of the
most delightful stories in the Bible. It reminds us of something Jesus
said mr1015.
15 - His angel Each of us has an angel. The angel's are also God's. See v11. |
| 18 Now as soon as it
was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of
Peter.
.19 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. |
19 - Examined Greek anakrino. See the word meaning at ac1711. A mindless penalty. |
| .20
¶ 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.
21 And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. 22 And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. 23 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. |
20
- Highly displeased We are not sure why.
20 - Peace We have no evidence of war. The cities were not under Herod's jurisdiction and were seeking a more friendly relationship See 1ki0511, ez2717. You can think of the lessons in this episode. There are several. |
| 24 But the word of God
grew and multiplied.
.25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark. |
25 - Took ... John See co0410. He had been witnessing ac1305,13, ac1537, 2ti0411. |
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