Matthew Poole and continuators on Acts 12

NOw about that time, Herod the king stretched forth his hands b to vex c certain of the church.

There were several Herods mentioned in Scripture, being all of the family of Herod the great, (by whose name they were called, as Herod that killed the children in Bethlehem, called Hecolonita; another that beheaded St. Iohn, and derided our Saviour, (this Herod was sirnamed Antipas) the Herod here spoken of was called Agrippa; the Son, or as others think, the Nephew of Aristobulus, and was the Father of that Agrippa we read of, Chap. 25.26. being Vice-roy, or King under the Roman Emperor: This Herod did not onely kill some, but punished others with banishment and blows; and especially the Governours of the Church, knowing how much all suffer in them.

Marginal references: Or, began.

2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.

Who had especially the care of the Church at Ierusalem; one eminent amongst the Apostles, and one of the Sons of Thunder, (or Boanerges) for his zealous and earnest Preaching, and therefore the more hated by Herod; so that which our Saviour had foretold him, came now to pass, Matth. 20.23. that he drank of the cup our Saviour did drink of. There was another Iames, who wrote the Epistle, known by his name, and was called Iames the less; because as some think, he was brought to the knowledge of Christ after the other, of whom we read, Mark 15.40.

Marginal references: Mat. 4.21.

3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further, to take Peter also. Then were the days of unleavened bread.

All the posterity of Herod the great, by his example studied chiefly to please the Roman Emperors, and to gratifie the Iews whether by right or wrong.

Or the Passover, which Festival-solemnity lasted eight days; and God over-ruled the hypocrisie of Herod, (for he did not out of piety observe this time) for the preservation of Peter; and Herod might fear some tumult of the people, in so great a concourse, upon Peters death, for which he did defer it; howsoever, the perverseness of the Iews is very remarkable, who were made with rage against Christ and his Apostles, at such times in which they pretended to serve the God of love and peace.

Marginal references: Exod. 23.15.

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.

There were sixteen Soldiers appointed to keep Peter; the Romans using four Soldiers at a time to keep Centry, and the Iews dividing their nights into four watches, there were enough to relieve the other, and to set a new watch as often as was required for every night; of which four at a time, two were with the prisoner, and perhaps for the greater security, bound with the same chain; and two did always stand at the door or gate; and this they might the rather do, out of great caution, having heard what Miracles Peter did; and that he had been delivered by an Angel out of prison, Chap. 5.19.

That day in which the Paschal Lamb was eat, on which the Iews would put none to death, that they might not eclipse the joy of that day.

To do with him what they would, leaving him to their mercy, or rather cruelty.

Marginal references: John 21.18.

5 Peter therefore was kept in prison; but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

Till a fit time to offer him up as a Sacrifice unto the people; so basely do wicked men stoop for their ends: The onely help or hope poor Christians had, was from prayer, (preces & lachrymae) there are no quaternions of Soldiers can keep the passage shut, that is towards Heaven.

Continued, long prayers, without intermission; but also fervent and earnest prayers, [non-Latin text not transcribed], with all the might of their Souls; remembring the Apostle now in bands, as bound with him, Heb. 13.3.

Marginal references: Or, Instan[illegible: 1 letter] and earnest prayer was made.

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.

To be put to death.

This is a night to be remembred, as that in which God delivered his Israel out of Egypt; when both were come to the utmost extremity, and at the pits brink, then so God does his marvellous work of deliverance, that it ought to be had in remembrance▪ Psal 105.5.

Innocency hath this advantage, and a good conscience▪ acquiesces in the providence of God; it hath Go[illegible: 1 letter] to its friend; and if he be for us, who can be against us

See verse 4 To which may be added, That with one chain St. Peters right hand was bound to the Soldiers left; wit[illegible: 1 letter] the other chain his left hand to the other Soldiers right for so was their manner for their greater security, tha[illegible: 1 letter] they might not let the prisoner escape, thus persecutors a[illegible: 2 letters] skilful to destroy; but no device can avail against any who[illegible: 1 letter] God will save.

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.

Whose office it is to minister for the heirs of Salvation, Hebr. 1 14. and who willingly fulfil this will of the Lord,

as Luke 2.9. Suddenly and unexpectedly.

Whether this light was from the bright body the Angel assumed, or from some, other cause we are not told; and therefore it is not necessary for us to know; but it was a light onely to Peter, but darkness to his keepers; as the pillar of fire inlightned onely the Israelites, which made them both the more strange and miraculous.

The Angel smote Peter, (as one jogs, or gently strikes another) to awaken him; Thus God was waking, tho Peter slept; and by his providence watches over all his people for their preservation: Chains could not hold any whom God will have free; every thing looses its face, when God suspends or withdraws his concurrence,

Marginal references: Chap. 5.1[illegible: 1 letter] ▪

8 And the angel said unto him, Gird thy self, and bind on thy sandals: And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me,

The custom being to wear long garments, they were not so fit to go about any business, until they had girt their garments to them; hence Ieremy is commanded to get a girdle, Ier. 13.1. about him, when he was to be sent on Gods errand.

The sandals were little other than sole-leathers, bound or fastned with thongs.

The uppermost vest (answerable to a cloak amongst us.) God furnishes his people thus with necessaries, and he will have them use them, so far as they are able to serve them, even then when he is working of miracles for their deliverances.

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.

The greatness and suddenness of the deliverance, was such, as it amazed him, it seemed incredible unto him; not that he questioned Gods power or goodness; but knowing that he was to suffer for Christs name sake, he might the rather not look for such a deliverance, and when it came, be as one that dreams, as Psal. 126.1. God therefore bringing his people to such extremities, that his Salvation might be the more astonishing.

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.

Guard or Sentinels.

The outmost gate that led out of the prison into the City, (not that the prison its self was out of the City.)

God worketh a series of miracles in their fit place and time; he could have done them all together, and have opened this iron gate before-hand, when he conducted Peter through the first, then through the second watch; but it is good for Peter and us, to be convinced, that we stand every moment in need of Gods conduct and deliverance.

Marginal references: Chap. 16.26▪

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.

Out of that amazement, which so many wonderful things had wrought in him, that he could compose himself to reflect upon what he had heard and seen, he knew his deliverance was real and effectual.

From Herod who had resolved to have killed him, as he had done Iames, ver. 2. and from the peoples expectation, who had heard the report of Herods resolution, and longed for the fulfilling of it.

Marginal references: Dan. 6.22.

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.

Peter being delivered, meditates upon the greatness of the danger that he had been in, and the goodness of God that had delivered him, and this whilest walking in the street, and going along; no place can exclude good thoughts, and holy meditations.

The Mother is here described by the Son, as the more known person; here the parent gains reputation, and to be remembred in this Scripture for her Sons sake. Thus a wise Son made a glad Mother, as Prov. 10.1.

Some think, this was [illegible: 1 letter]e that wrote the Gospel called by his name.

In this time of persecution the Christians met secretly, and in small numbers as they could; these here mentioned, are thought to be private Christians, because it appears by the 17. ver. that Iames, &c. were not there.

13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.

This was the outwardmost door to the Porch, or Court before the house.

Being in a great fear of a surprisal, they ordered one to observe, and give an answer unto any that should come to the house; which wa[illegible: 1 letter] the more heedfully done, because it was at an unseasonable time of the night; yet these holy men broke their rest, and exposed themselves to many fears and dangers, rather than not to assemble to serve God, when they could not serve him otherwise.

Marginal references: Or, To ask who was there.

14 And when she knew Peters voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.

As one from her self, not knowing what to do for gladness; great and sudden passions, have caused strange extasies, and death it self sometimes: The Spirits in grief flowing too fast unto the heart to fortifie it, and in joy leaving the heart as fast, to meet the object that causeth it▪

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.

Thou speakest thou knowest not what; thinking her, out of fear to have been discomposed in her mind.

Some have thought, that by Peters Angel, no other was meant than some▪ Messenger from Peter, which they might expect from him in such a case as he was in; now tho [non-Latin text not transcribed], (the word here) signifies a Messenger or an Angel, indifferently; yet how could Rhoda then know it to have been Peters voice? A messengers voice being no more like his that s[illegible: 1 letter]nt him, than another mans. They did probably mean, some Angel that had assumed Peters shape, and imitated his voice: And the Iews having had a constant opinion, that at least every good man hath a guardian Angel which God appoints to him for a means of his preservation; might be apt to imagine, that this was that Angel whose charge St. Peter was, Matth. 18▪ [illegible: 2 letters]. tho that Angel spoken of, Gen. 48.16. most probably was the Angel of the New Covenant, and not a created Angel, being Iacob blesseth in his name; yet the opinion of tutelar Angels, tho not certain or needful, is to this day thought probable.

16 But Peter continued knocking: And when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.

Peter might be unwilling to have his entrance into the house deferred, 1. Out of fear of being taken again, and his life concerned upon it. 2. Out of an earnest desire to see the brethren, whom he might hope to meet with there. 3. Out of zeal to declare the mercy of God towards him; this [illegible: 1 letter]ire was kindled in him, and he sought vent for it.

17 But he beckening 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.

It was usual by the motion of the hand, both to desire silence, and to crave audience.

Peter gives God the glory, tho an Angel had been the means of his delivery.

This Iames was the Son of Alpheus, Matth. 10.3. Mark 3.18. and succeeded the other Iames, (the brother of Iohn, of whom ver. 2.) in governing the Church at Ierusalem.

Peter could not but know he should be sought after, and therefore durst not abide in one place, lest he should ruine himself, and endanger his friends that should harbour him. Thus the great Apostle, as David formerly, was hunted, as one hunteth a partridge in the mountains, 1 Sam. 26.20.

Marginal references: Chap. 13.16. and 19.33. and 21.40.

18 Now assoon as it was day, there was no small stir among the souldiers, what was become of Peter.

The Soldiers, who were bound with Peter in the same chains, could not but miss him assoon as they did awake, and with admiration find the chains still holding them, tho loosned from Peter. What strange imaginations they might have, is not to be expressed, tho some guess at it.

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 Judea to Cesarea, and there abode.

That is judicially; proceeding against them for the escape of St. Peter.

They were sentenced to be led away; and 'tis most probably thought, unto the place of execution. The instruments in persecution, God many times meets with in this world; and sometimes by the persecutors themselves.

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 kings chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their countrey was nourished by the king[illegible: 1 letter] countrey.

These were two coast Towns in Phenicia; famous, especially the former, for her great trading; and being rich, might be insolent, or possibly might tempt Herod to a war against them, whose conquest would pay the charge of it.

Or chief of his Bed-chamber: or begged pardon; there being no war yet begun.

These Cities lying upon the Sea, had little land belonging to them, and of old were forced to have their provision from other places, especially from Iudea; thus Solomon gave Hiram (King of Tyre) twenty thousand measures of wheat for his houshold, and twenty measures of pure oil yearly, 1 Kings 5.9, 11. and long after that, they of Iudah and Israel are said to have traded with their wheat in Tyre, Ezek. 27.17.

Marginal references: Or, But [illegible: 1 word] hostile mind, intending [illegible: 1 word]; Gr. That was over the King[illegible: 1 letter] bed-ch[illegible: 2 letters]ber.

21 And upon a set day, Herod arayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.

This was (says Iosephus cap. 19. lib. 7.) the second day of the sports or games, which Herod had instituted in honour of the Emperor Claudius; or it may be such a day as Herod had appointed to determine the difference in, betwixt him and the Tyrians.

Such, saith Iosephus, as were made of Silver, woven with extraordinary art, and did reflect strangly the beams of the Sun shining upon it: An elevated place, from whence he might the better be seen and heard.

22 And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.

These impious flatterers destroy whom they exalt; for God will pull down his rivals.

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.

An Angel had delivered Peter; and here an Angel destroys Herod; all that Heavenly host fulfil Gods will for the deliverance of his Church, and the destruction of his enemies.

Priding himself in the acclamation the people had made, and not attributing his eloquence and glory to God, as the giver of them; or rather not repressing or punishing their blasphemy; whereas Peter durst not accept of undue honour from Cornelius, Chap. 10.26. nor the Angel[illegible: 1 letter] from St. Iohn, Rev. 19.10. and 22.9.

Either breeding in his bowels, or in his flesh, after a more unusual manner; as 'tis recorded of Herod the great, that he was eaten up of Lice. No Creature so little or contemptible, but it can execute Gods Judgments on whom he please.

24 ¶ But the word of God grew and multiplied.

The Word of God is compared here to Seed, as in our Saviours Parable, Matth. 13.19.

The number of believers multiplied through the Word, which was sown, as Seed is scattered abroad. So true it is, that Persecutors by their pulling down of the Church, do but build it up.

Marginal references: Isa. 55.11. Chap. 6.7. & 19.20. Col. 1.6.

25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilleed their ministery, and took with them John whose sirname was Mark.

They returned unto Antioch, from whence they were sent, Chap. 11.26, 30. to carry the benevolence of the Church of Antioch, to that of Iudea.

This was the Ministry or Service they were appointed to do.

Of whom before, Verse 12.

Marginal references: Or, Charge.