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1 Now, in the course of that season, Herod the king thrust forth his hands to harm some of them of the assembly,– |
About that time – Supposed to date about twelve years after our Lord's crucifixion. R4346:2
Herod – A descendant of Esau. R3003:1
Herod Agrippa I, grandson of the Herod who murdered the babes in Bethlehem. Herod was a family name. R3002:3, 4346:2, 2139:3
Nephew of Herod Antipas who murdered John the Baptist. R2139:3, 4346:2, 3002:3
The king – Of Judea. R4346:2
Vex certain of the church – Imprisoned the King's messengers. R2301:3
The eleven bravely stood their ground, knowing others would look to them for encouragement. F230; R1523:6
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2 And slew James the brother of John with a sword; |
He killed James – Not all of God's servants will be miraculously delivered. R1455:2
In the majority of cases the Church's experiences are far more like James' than like Peter's. R3004:2
He was a leader amongst the apostles and was beheaded. The Lord could accomplish more by his death, than by keeping him alive. R4347:4, 2139:5, 3003:1
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3 And, seeing that it was acceptable unto the Jews, he went on to apprehend Peter also (now they were the days of unleavened bread),– |
Pleased the Jews – The same spirit of murder. R2139:6
Even at cost of principle. R4346:3, 3896:1
To take Peter also – Who would not flee, because he knew at this trying time the Church abroad would look to them at Jerusalem for encouragement and help. F230, F231
Unleavened bread – According to Jewish custom no one could be put to death during that week. R2139:5
Trusting to the sacredness of the Passover season, Peter ventured forth. R4346:3
Each Memorial season is a time for special trial and testing. We recommend alertness be exercised during the forty days preceding the Memorial Supper. R4346:5,6
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4 Whom also having seized, he put into prison, delivering him up unto four quaternions of soldiers, to be guarding him,–intending, after the passover, to bring him up unto the people. |
Apprehended him – The Greek implies that his arrest was after searching. R4346:3, 3003:2
The time of his arrest was too close to the festival to permit his execution. R3003:3
In prison – Probably the Castle of Antonio; possibly where Jesus was arraigned before Pilate, and where Paul was later taken. R4346:6, 3003:5, 2140:1
Four quaternions – Four shifts of four soldiers each; two chained to the prisoner, the third was outside the door and the fourth in the passage leading to the outer iron gate. R3003:2, 4347:1, 2140:1
Easter – Should be rendered "Passover." Estera, from which Easter comes, was a Saxon goddess of the East. The name was adopted from the heathen. F479, F482; R5191:6, 3003:3, 2271:3, 1631:3, 1290:1
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5 Peter, therefore, was kept in the prison; but, prayer, was, earnestly, being made by the assembly, unto God, concerning him. |
Without ceasing – Lesson of importunity; examples given in the Scriptures fully warranted the all-night prayer meeting. R4347:2
Of the church – Frequent mention is made of the Church gathering for prayer. R2023:3
For him – It was not proper for him to pray for deliverance for himself; he had consecrated his life unto death. His friends were praying for him. R4347:1, 3003:3
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6 And, when Herod was about to bring him forth, on that night, was Peter sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, guards, also, before the door, were keeping the prison. |
Peter was sleeping – He trusted in divine wisdom, power and love. R2140:2
The power of divine grace helping in time of need (Heb. 4:16) gave him peace. R4347:1
His heart filled with the peace of God which passeth all understanding. (Phil. 4:7) And, "He giveth his belove 127:2 R3003:4
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7 And lo! a messenger of the Lord stood over him, and a light shone in the cell; and, smiting the side of Peter, he roused him up, saying–Rise up quickly! And his chains fell off out of his hands. |
Behold, the angel – Appeared personally; non-personal instructions are properly described as from or by the Lord's holy Spirit. E277; R265:3
"Ministering spirits sent forth to minister." (Heb. 1:10) R3004:2
Angels are not permitted to materialize now. R4347:5
Of the Lord – A lesson of God's power to help his servants. R1455:2
A light shined – So that the Apostle might know that his deliverer, with radiant features, was a holy being. R4347:5
Chains fell off – God sometimes grants his "new creatures" special favors of an earthly sort, even though they do not ask for them. R2009:2
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8 And the messenger said unto him–Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And he did so. And he saith unto him–Throw around thee thy mantle, and be following me. |
Gird thyself – Whatever he could do, he was required to do; the angel did only what Peter could not do. R4347:5, 3003:5
Similarly today, it is ours to do everything within our power. R4347:6
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9 And, coming out, he began following, and knew not that it was true which was coming about through means of the messenger; but supposed that, a vision, he was beholding. |
He went out – Between three and six in the morning; he was not missed until sunrise, when the guards were changed. R4347:5, 2139:6, 3003:6
Thought he saw a vision – Expecting that he would awaken shortly to find himself still bound. R3003:5
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10 And, passing through the first ward and the second, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth into the city, the which, of its own accord, opened unto them; and, coming out, they went on through one street, and, straightway, the messenger was parted from him. |
His own accord – What is contrary to physical law, is called miraculous; but may be in accordance with the laws of spiritual life. HG29:5; R265:2
Angel departed – Having accomplished his mission. R2140:3
Having simply done for Peter what he could not have done for himself. R303:5, 2009:2
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11 And, Peter, coming to himself said–Now, know I, of a truth, that the Lord hath sent forth his messenger, and taken me out of the hand of Herod, and all the expectation of the people of the Jews. |
Come to himself – Realized the facts of the case, that he was free. R4347:6
Hath delivered me – The Lord preserved Peter because he had a special work for him to do. R4347:4
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12 And, considering the matter, he came unto the house of Mary, the mother of John who was surnamed Mark, where a considerable number were gathered together and praying. |
The house of Mary – An intimation that this piece of property was not put into the common fund. R2932:3
The congregations of the primitive Church were small and usually met in private houses. R2941:6, 3003:3
In the public assembly of the saints. R3698:5
John – The writer of the Gospel of Mark, cousin of Barnabas, and son of one of the Marys at Jerusalem. R3006:3, 3003:6, 4347:2
Nephew of Barnabas. R2141:2
Surname was Mark – Latin, Marcus. R3003:6
Gathered together – A great blessing and strengthening of their faith. Q542:1
Praying – They were kept up all night, evidently for the entire week of Peter's imprisonment. R2139:6, 4347:2; Q541:3
The Lord intended a deliverance for St. Peter, but allowed it to come about as a reward of faith of those praying for him. R4347:3
Is indispensable to Christian life; it means a living and a growing faith. R2692:1
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13 And, when he had knocked at the door of the porch, there came unto it a maiden to hearken, by name Rhoda; |
Door of the gate – Implying that it was a better class house. R4347:6
Rhoda – Little rose. R4347:6, 3003:6
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14 And, recognizing the voice of Peter, by reason of her joy, she opened not the porch,–but, running in, bare tidings that Peter was standing before the porch. But, they, unto her, said–Thou art raving |
Knew Peter's voice – It was customary to make inquiries before opening the door. R3003:6
Opened not the gate – Neglected to open the door. R3003:6, 4347:6
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15 She, however, kept on strongly declaring that, so, it was. But, they, were saying–It is his, messenger. |
It is his angel – His representative, come in answer to our prayers to God for consolation; one of the "ministering spirits sent forth to minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation." (Heb. 1:14) R3004:2, 4348:1, 2140:5
They might of thought this was an impersonation. Q20:2
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16 And, Peter, continued knocking; and, opening, they saw him, and were amazed. |
And saw him – The answer to their prayers. R2140:4, 3004:2
They were astonished – Were surprised at the Lord's answer to their petitions. R4348:1
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17 But, making a sign to them with his hand to hold their peace, he related to them how, the Lord, had brought, him, forth out of the prison; and he said–Carry tidings unto James and the brethren, as to these things. And, going out, he went his way unto some other place. |
Beckoning unto them – There was an outburst of excitement and questions which the Apostle was obliged to silence by the shaking of his hands. R4348:1
Unto James – The Lord's brother or second cousin. R3004:3, 4348:1, 2140:4
And to the brethren – The leaders of the cause in the city. R2140:4
He departed – Left the city, in accordance with the Lord's instructions to flee when persecuted. (Matt. 10:23) R3004:3, 2140:4
Into another place – Whether to another city or another house, we do not know. R4348:1
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18 And, when it became day, there was no small commotion among the soldiers, as to what, then, Peter had become! |
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19 And, Herod, seeking after and not finding, him, having examined the guards, ordered them to be led away [to death]; and, going down from Judaea unto Caesarea, stayed there. |
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20 Now he was bitterly hostile to them of Tyre and Zidon; but, with one accord, they came unto him, and, persuading Blastus, who was over the bed-chamber of the king, they were suing for peace; because their country was fed by the king's, |
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21 And, on an appointed day, Herod, putting on royal apparel, and seating himself upon the tribunal, proceeded to deliver an oration unto them. |
Upon a set day – Feast of Tabernacles, 41 AD. R3002:3
Made an oration – Read the whole Book of Deuteronomy. R3002:3
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22 And, the populace, began to shout–A god's, voice, and not, a man's! |
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23 And, instantly, there smote him, a messenger of the Lord, because he gave not the glory unto God; and, becoming worm-eaten, he expired. |
Eaten of worms – Disease of intestinal worms. Within a month he died. R4348:1, 3002:6
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24 And, the word of the Lord, went on growing and multiplying. |
The word of God grew – This chapter shows the power of Satan, the power of God, and the power of prayer. R4348:5
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25 And, Barnabas and Saul, returned unto Jerusalem, fulfilling the ministering, taking with them John who was surnamed Mark. |
Barnabas – A disciple named Joseph. Name change to Barnabas. R4357:1
John whose surname was Mark – The writer of the Gospel of Mark, cousin of Barnabas, and son of one of the Marys at Jerusalem. R3006:3, 3003:6
Nephew of Barnabas. R2141:2
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