Chapter 12:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| McGarvey Pendleton
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 John Romans
Acts 12
Concise Complete
The martyrdom of James, and the imprisonment of Peter.
(1-5) He is delivered from prison by an angel. (6-11) Peter departs, Herod's
rage. (12-19) The death of Herod. (20-25)
Verses 1-5 James was
one of the sons of Zebedee, whom Christ told that they should drink of the cup
that he was to drink of, and be baptized with the baptism that he was to be
baptized with, Mt 20:23. Now the words of Christ were made good in him; and if
we suffer with Christ, we shall reign with him. Herod imprisoned Peter: the way
of persecution, as of other sins, is downhill; when men are in it, they cannot
easily stop. Those make themselves an easy prey to Satan, who make it their
business to please men. Thus James finished his course. But Peter, being
designed for further services, was safe; though he seemed now marked out for a
speedy sacrifice. We that live in a cold, prayerless generation, can hardly form
an idea of the earnestness of these holy men of old. But if the Lord should
bring on the church an awful persecution like this of Herod, the faithful in
Christ would learn what soul-felt prayer is.
Verses 6-11 A
peaceful conscience, a lively hope, and the consolations of the Holy Spirit, can
keep men calm in the full prospect of death; even those very persons who have
been most distracted with terrors on that account. God's time to help, is when
things are brought to the last extremity. Peter was assured that the Lord would
cause this trial to end in the way that should be most for his glory. Those who
are delivered out of spiritual imprisonment must follow their Deliverer, like
the Israelites when they went out of the house of bondage. They knew not whither
they went, but knew whom they followed. When God will work salvation for his
people, all difficulties in their way will be overcome, even gates of iron are
made to open of their own accord. This deliverance of Peter represents our
redemption by Christ, which not only proclaims liberty to the captives, but
brings them out of the prison-house. Peter, when he recollected himself,
perceived what great things God had done for him. Thus souls delivered out of
spiritual bondage, are not at first aware what God has wrought in them; many
have the truth of grace, that want evidence of it. But when the Comforter comes,
whom the Father will send, sooner or later, he will let them know what a blessed
change is wrought.
Verses 12-19 God's
providence leaves room for the use of our prudence, though he has undertaken to
perform and perfect what he has begun. These Christians continued in prayer for
Peter, for they were truly in earnest. Thus men ought always to pray, and not to
faint. As long as we are kept waiting for a mercy, we must continue praying for
it. But sometimes that which we most earnestly wish for, we are most backward to
believe. The Christian law of self-denial and of suffering for Christ, has not
done away the natural law of caring for our own safety by lawful means. In times
of public danger, all believers have God for their hiding-place; which is so
secret, that the world cannot find them. Also, the instruments of persecution
are themselves exposed to danger; the wrath of God hangs over all that engage in
this hateful work. And the range of persecutors often vents itself on all in its
way.
Verses 20-25 Many
heathen princes claimed and received Divine honours, but it was far more
horrible impiety in Herod, who knew the word and worship of the living God, to
accept such idolatrous honours without rebuking the blasphemy. And such men as
Herod, when puffed with pride and vanity, are ripening fast for signal
vengeance. God is very jealous for his own honour, and will be glorified upon
those whom he is not glorified by. See what vile bodies we carry about with us;
they have in them the seeds of their own dissolution, by which they will soon be
destroyed, whenever God does but speak the word. We may learn wisdom from the
people of Tyre and Sidon, for we have offended the Lord with our sins. We depend
on him for life, and breath, and all things; it surely then behoves us to humble
ourselves before him, that through the appointed Mediator, who is ever ready to
befriend us, we may be reconciled to him, lest wrath come upon us to the utmost.
Chapter 12:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| McGarvey Pendleton
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 John Romans
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
