Acts 12

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1. Arrest by Herod) TDc.BestWidthsc.VisibleBorders.Leftc.VisibleBorders.Rightc.VisibleBorders.Topc.VisibleBorders.Bottomc.VAlign rvcMiddlec.Data -)-8 1 3 2 8 1 3 8 0 0 12:6 11 ) TDc.BestWidthsc.VisibleBorders.Leftc.VisibleBorders.Rightc.VisibleBorders.Topc.VisibleBorders.Bottomc.VAlign rvcMiddlec.Data IE-8 1 3 2 8 1 3 8 0 0
2. Release by an Angel) TDc.BestWidthsc.VisibleBorders.Leftc.VisibleBorders.Rightc.VisibleBorders.Topc.VisibleBorders.Bottomc.VAlign rvcMiddlec.Data /+-8 1 3 2 8 1 3 8 0 0 12:12 17 ) TDc.BestWidthsc.VisibleBorders.Leftc.VisibleBorders.Rightc.VisibleBorders.Topc.VisibleBorders.Bottomc.VAlign rvcMiddlec.Data C?-8 1 3 2 8 1 3 8 0 0
3. Church in Prayer) TDc.BestWidthsc.VisibleBorders.Leftc.VisibleBorders.Rightc.VisibleBorders.Topc.VisibleBorders.Bottomc.VAlign rvcMiddlec.Data /+-8 1 3 2 8 1 3 8 0 0 12:18 19 ) TDc.BestWidthsc.VisibleBorders.Leftc.VisibleBorders.Rightc.VisibleBorders.Topc.VisibleBorders.Bottomc.VAlign rvcMiddlec.Data EA-8 1 3 2 8 1 3 8 0 0
4. Reaction of Herod) TDc.BestWidthsc.VisibleBorders.Leftc.VisibleBorders.Rightc.VisibleBorders.Topc.VisibleBorders.Bottomc.VAlign rvcMiddlec.Data /+-8 1 3 2 8 1 3 8 0 0 12:20 25 ) TDc.BestWidthsc.VisibleBorders.Leftc.VisibleBorders.Rightc.VisibleBorders.Topc.VisibleBorders.Bottomc.VAlign rvcMiddlec.Data SO-8 1 3 2 8 1 3 8 0 0 C. Death of Herod Agrippa I) 8 2 3 8 0 0 B. Peter s Escape from Prison ) 12:1 19 ) 6 1 3 8 0 0 12 ) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 1 Now about that time King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church to mistreat them. 2 He had James, the brother of John, killed with a sword. 3 And when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. It was during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. 4 Having seized Peter, Herod put him in prison. He handed him over to four squads of four soldiers each to guard him. He intended to bring him before the people after the Passover. 5 So Peter was kept in prison, but fervent prayer for him was offered by the church to God. ) 8 5 3 8 0 0 6 The night before Herod was about to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers. Peter was bound with two chains, and guards were before the door watching the prison. 7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone into the cell. He struck Peter s side and woke him up. He said, Get up quickly. And the chains fell off Peter s hands. ) 8 The angel said to him, Get dressed and put your sandals on. And Peter did so.

The angel said, Wrap your cloak around you and follow me. 9 He went out and followed the angel, but he did not know that what the angel was doing was real. He thought he was seeing a vision. 10 And when they had passed the first and second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city. The gate opened for them by itself and they went through it. They walked along one street and suddenly the angel left him. ) 11 When Peter came to himself, he said, Now I know for sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod s clutches and from all that the Jewish people were expecting. 12 When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John called Mark, where many people were gathered and praying. 13 Peter knocked at the door of the gate and a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14 When she recognized Peter s voice, because of her joy she did not open the gate. But she ran in and announced that Peter was standing in front of the gate. 15 They said to her, You are out of your mind. But she kept insisting that it was so.

But they said, It is his angel. 16 Peter continued knocking; when they opened the door, they saw him and were astonished. 17 But after he motioned to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had led him out of the prison. He said, Report these things to James and the brothers. Then he went out and departed to another place. ) 18 Now when daylight came, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had happened to Peter. 19 Herod had a search made for him but did not find him. Then he examined the guards and ordered that they be led away to execution. Herod went down from Judea to Caesarea and was spending time there. ) Luke begins a new episode in the life of Peter, who becomes a prisoner, is released from prison by an angel, and leaves Jerusalem for another place. Even though Luke introduces the chapter with the general phrase ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 now about that time,) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 questions concerning chronological sequence must be raised. Does Luke present a strictly chronological account, or is the report about Peter s imprisonment an interlude that occurred before the famine? Luke s wording, now about that time, seems to preclude a chronological sequence of chapters 11 and 12. He simply uses the introductory phrase to pick up a historical incident that has bearing on the development of his account.��) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftnref1 10 1 -1 9 0 “#_ftn1”

1. 8 1 -1 9 0 0 �� We must assume, then, that the famine occurred after Herod s death in a.d. 44 and that Barnabas and Saul made their relief visit to the brothers in Judea subsequent to that date. ) 9 1 3 8 0 0

1. Arrest by Herod) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ) 9 1 3 8 0 0 12:1 5) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ) 6 1 3 8 0 0
2. Now about that time King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church to mistreat them. 2. He had James, the brother of John, killed with a sword. 3. And when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. It was during the Feast of Unleavened Bread.) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ) 8 1 3 8 0 0 a. ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 History.) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 The Christians in Jerusalem had been relatively free from persecution since the death of Stephen (8:1). Although Paul had received threats on his life (9:29), he had been allowed to move about freely in Jerusalem. In later years, the church received a threat not from the religious leaders of the Jews, nor from the common people, but from a person whom Luke describes as King Herod. ) 8 1 3 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=40.2.1|AUTODETECT|” Who was this king? He was Herod Agrippa I (born in 10 b.c.), a grandson of Herod the Great 12 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=40.2.1|AUTODETECT|” Matt. 2:1) 8 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=42.3.1|AUTODETECT|” ) and of Mariamne, a Jewess. He was the son of Aristobulus, who died in 7 b.c. His mother sent him to Rome, where Herod Agrippa was educated and where he befriended Gaius (Caligula), who in a.d. 37 became emperor. This emperor proclaimed Herod Agrippa king over Iturea, Traconitis, and Abilene 12 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=42.3.1|AUTODETECT|” Luke 3:1) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ), the tetrarchies east of Galilee.��) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftnref2 10 1 -1 9 0 “#_ftn2”

2. 8 1 -1 9 0 0 �� In a.d. 39, Herod Agrippa s uncle, Herod Antipas, like his nephew, petitioned the emperor for a royal title. Antipas had ruled the tetrarchy of Galilee and Perea since the death of his father in 4 b.c. However, instead of receiving the coveted title, Antipas was deposed and exiled, and Herod Agrippa, who obviously had influenced the emperor, obtained Antipas s tetrarchy.��) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftnref3 10 1 -1 9 0 “#_ftn3”
3. 8 1 -1 9 0 0 �� After Caligula s death in a.d. 41, Herod Agrippa appealed to Emperor Claudius and received from him Judea and Samaria.��) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftnref4 10 1 -1 9 0 “#_ftn4”
4. 8 1 -1 9 0 0 �� By that time, King Herod Agrippa ruled over territories that equalled those of his grandfather Herod the Great. ) 8 1 3 8 0 0 b. ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 James.) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 Through his grandmother Mariamne, Herod Agrippa could claim Jewish ancestry. He exploited this distinction to full advantage. For example, he made it known that he enjoyed living in Jerusalem; while there he scrupulously observed Jewish law and tradition. Daily he offered sacrifices at the temple; during the Feast of Tabernacles the Jewish authorities gave him the honor of reading publicly a passage from the law.��) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftnref5 10 1 -1 9 0 “#_ftn5”
5. 8 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=5.17.19|AUTODETECT|” �� He did so in harmony with the Mosaic law that the king read a copy of the law all the days of his life 12 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=5.17.19|AUTODETECT|” Deut. 17:19) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ). In short, the Jews accepted King Herod Agrippa as one of their number. ) 8 1 3 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=5.13.6-5.13.18|AUTODETECT|” Thus, Herod Agrippa continued his scheming and decided to lay hands on several members of the church with the intention of mistreating them and thereby gaining the favor of the Jews. Luke fails to indicate how many persons were arrested but mentions the name of James the brother of John and son of Zebedee. In fact, Herod had the apostle James killed with the sword. The king apparently acted in collusion with the Sanhedrin, which served as a court of law. According to ) 12 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=5.13.6-5.13.18|AUTODETECT|” Deuteronomy 13:6 18) 8 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=5.13.15|AUTODETECT|” , if someone entices a Jew to engage in idolatry, he must be put to death by stoning. But if such a person persuades a whole city to serve other gods, then he must be killed with the sword. In the eyes of Herod Agrippa, James had led the city of Jerusalem astray. Ironically, according to the Mosaic law all the inhabitants of Jerusalem should have been put to death 12 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=5.13.15|AUTODETECT|” Deut. 13:15) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ).��) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftnref6 10 1 -1 9 0 “#_ftn6”
6. 8 1 -1 9 0 0 �� ) 8 2 3 8 0 0 Luke records a series of first events in Acts: the first Pentecost (2:1 11), the first persecution (4:1 4), the first martyr (7:54 60), and now the first apostle to die by the sword. Note that, although the church selected Matthias to fill the place of Judas Iscariot, the church appointed no successor for James. From the time of Pentecost until his death in a.d. 44, James (unlike Judas) fulfilled his apostolic office. Because he fulfilled his office he was not replaced. And, even though James was a prominent disciple who belonged to the inner circle of Jesus followers (Peter, James, and John), Luke mentions him only in the list of the apostles (1:13) and here. The focus is not on James but on Peter. ) c. ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 Peter.) 8 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=42.22.1|AUTODETECT|” Spurred by the approval of the Jews, King Herod Agrippa took even bolder steps and arrested Peter, the leader and chief spokesman of the twelve apostles. He determined to put Peter to death, but delayed until the Jewish Feast of Unleavened Bread had passed. In New Testament times the feast had merged with Passover 12 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=42.22.1|AUTODETECT|” Luke 22:1) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ). The people observed this week-long celebration during the end of March or the beginning of April.��) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftnref7 10 1 -1 9 0 “#_ftn7”
7. 8 1 -1 9 0 0 �� We presume that Peter was in Jerusalem for this feast. As leader of the church, he had become vulnerable and had fallen into Herod Agrippa s hands. ) 6 1 3 8 0 0

4. Having seized Peter, Herod put him in prison. He handed him over to four squads of four soldiers each to guard him. He intended to bring him before the people after the Passover. 5. So Peter was kept in prison, but fervent prayer for him was offered by the church to God.) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ) 8 4 3 8 0 0 Herod judged it expedient to delay Peter s execution. Therefore, he put Peter in prison, which served as a place of detention. In the Roman empire, imprisonment itself was not considered punishment. Prisoners were kept in custody to await their trial, which could result in release, flogging, exile, or death. Peter s trial would come when the Passover feast had ended. Moreover, the execution of James had whetted the Jews desire for Peter s trial and execution. ) We surmise that Herod placed Peter in the prison located in the Fortress of Antonia at the northwest corner of the temple area.

Herod assigned sixteen soldiers to guard Peter: four squads of four soldiers each. The soldiers were subject to execution if their prisoner escaped (v. 19); Peter s treatment was approximately equivalent to that of a modern maximum-security prisoner. ) Why did Herod Agrippa set such a close guard on Peter? It is possible that the Sanhedrin had informed him about the earlier arrest of all the apostles, who escaped from prison during the night (5:19). Moreover, Peter himself had performed numerous miracles in Jerusalem and elsewhere and, consequently, had demonstrated that he at times possessed supernatural power. Therefore, Herod Agrippa wanted to be absolutely certain that this time Peter could not escape. ) Herod failed to realize the power of prayer that the entire church wielded on behalf of Peter. That is, through the prayers of his people, God himself intervened and showed Herod Agrippa that his opposition was insignificant and futile.

As long as Peter was kept in prison the church offered continuous prayer for him. The text speaks of ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 fervent) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 prayer, which signifies that the church prayed ardently and with heart, soul, and mind implored God for Peter s release.��) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftnref8 10 1 -1 9 0 “#_ftn8” 8) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 �� ) 6 1 3 8 0 0 Greek Words, Phrases, and Constructions in 12:1 5) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ) 9 1 3 8 0 0 Verse 1) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ) 8 1 3 8 0 0 ���� ������ �r �x� ������ this phrase simply means at that time. The noun ������ connotes a definite and limited time with the added notion of suitableness. ��) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftnref9 10 1 -1 9 0 “#_ftn9” 9) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 �� ) 8 1 3 8 0 0 �� denoting adherents of a party, the preposition points to church members. ) 9 1 3 8 0 0 Verse 3) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ) 8 1 3 8 0 0 ��������� from the verb ���������� (I add), this form in the aorist middle followed by the aorist active infinitive ��������� (to apprehend) means he did it again ; precisely, Herod also arrested Peter. ��) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftnref10 10 1 -1 9 0 “#_ftn10” 10) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 �� ) 8 1 3 8 0 0 ��� ����� the plural is a Hebrew idiom that is syntactically transferred into Greek. The word refers to a Jewish festival. ) 9 1 3 8 0 0 Verse 4) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ) 8 1 3 8 0 0 ���� although the form is aorist middle (from ������, I put), in this verb the distinction between the active and the middle has disappeared (see 4:3; 5:18, 25). This verb, therefore, should not be translated put for himself in prison. ) 9 1 3 8 0 0 Verse 5) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ) 8 2 3 8 0 0 �r� �V� the combination of these two words occurs frequently in Acts and generally is a resumptive phrase. ) &� �������� notice that this periphrastic construction with a present participle features both the verb �0�� (I am) and the verb ������� (I am, become). It probably places special emphasis & on the continuousness of the praying. ��) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftnref11 10 1 -1 9 0 “#_ftn11” 11) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 �� ) 9 1 3 8 0 0 2. Release by an Angel) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ) 9 1 3 8 0 0 12:6 11) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ) 6 1 3 8 0 0 6. The night before Herod was about to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers. Peter was bound with two chains, and guards were before the door watching the prison. 7. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone into the cell. He struck Peter s side and woke him up. He said, Get up quickly. And the chains fell off Peter s hands.) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ) 8 2 3 8 0 0 Luke relates Peter s escape from prison in detail. By contrast, he describes the release of the twelve apostles in few words (5:19 20). As a literary artist, he pictures the scene, describes the actions, and records the conversations that took place. He makes every word count to heighten the effect of Peter s miraculous release. ) Herod Agrippa had scheduled Peter s trial and execution for the day following the conclusion of the Jewish festival. In accordance with the Roman practice of guarding prisoners in maximum security, Herod Agrippa ordered that two soldiers be chained to Peter, one soldier to Peter s right hand, the other to his left.��) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftnref12 10 1 -1 9 0 “#_ftn12” 12) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 �� Guards were also posted at the door. Consequently, the possibility of escape was completely ruled out. ) 8 2 3 8 0 0 However, Luke places the emphasis not on Herod Agrippa or the soldiers, but on Peter. He portrays Peter sound asleep between two guards and paints a picture of complete trust and faith in God: on the eve of his trial and death, Peter sleeps. The Old Testament counterpart is recorded in one of David s psalms. When David fled from his son Absalom, he said: ) I lie down and sleep; ) 8 1 3 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=19.3.5|AUTODETECT|” I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. [) 12 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=19.3.5|AUTODETECT|” Ps. 3:5) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 , ) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftnref13 11 1 -1 9 0 “#_ftn13” NIV) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ] ) 8 2 3 8 0 0 God intervenes at the last moment when the situation is critical. He is in control of every situation and watches over his people. And God hears and answers the prayers of the believers who petition him in faith. ) Suddenly, Luke says, an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone into the cell. Notice that, as in other places in Acts, Luke writes an angel, not the angel. ��) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftnref14 10 1 -1 9 0 “#_ftn14” 13) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 �� This angel stood next to Peter and did not perform his task in the dark, but caused his heavenly light to illumine the cell. The implication is that the guards were overcome by sleep and did not notice the light. The angel struck Peter on his side to wake him. Undoubtedly Peter was confused to see someone standing over him and commanding him to get up. How could he do so when chains bound him to two soldiers? But the chains fell off his wrists and he was free. Obviously, a miracle happened that defies human logic and a plausible explanation.��) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftnref15 10 1 -1 9 0 “#_ftn15” 14) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 �� When the angel told Peter to get up quickly, he did not mean that the time for escape was short. Rather, the word ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 quickly) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 denotes that a drowsy Peter had to come to his senses to obey the angel s instructions. ) 6 1 3 8 0 0 8. The angel said to him, Get dressed and put your sandals on. And Peter did so. The angel said, Wrap your cloak around you and follow me. 9. He went out and followed the angel, but he did not know that what the angel was doing was real. He thought he was seeing a vision.) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ) 8 2 3 8 0 0 The angel had to tell Peter, who was still trying to wake up, what to do: Get dressed and put your sandals on. A literal translation indicates that the angel instructed Peter to put his belt around his waist so that his long flowing robe would not impede him in walking. And Peter s sandals had been placed aside, perhaps at the entrance of the cell. The angel then told Peter to wrap his cloak around him; they were about to leave the prison. ) Peter did exactly as the angel said. When he had dressed himself, he followed. The tense of the Greek verb actually indicates that he kept on following.

In amazement, he looked around, for he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening (NIV). Already he had seen one vision; Peter thought that he saw another vision. As he continued to follow the angel through the corridors of the building, the doors opened automatically and the guards appeared to be asleep. Peter realized that a miracle was taking place and he himself was its object. ) 6 1 3 8 0 0 10. And when they had passed the first and second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city. The gate opened for them by itself and they went through it. They walked along one street and suddenly the angel left him.) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ) 8 1 3 8 0 0 Luke depicts sentinels standing at two separate doorways. Perhaps we ought to think in terms of eight soldiers on duty and eight off duty. Of the eight on duty, two were chained to Peter, two were the first guard, two were the second guard, and the last two were at the iron gate.��) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftnref16 10 1 -1 9 0 “#_ftn16” 15) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 �� The angel and Peter passed through the gates as if someone opened them. In the Greek, Luke uses the word ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 automat) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 , from which we derive the expression ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 automatically) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 .��) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftnref17 10 1 -1 9 0 “#_ftn17” 16) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 �� This heavy gate opened by itself. On the other side of it was the city street that signaled freedom for Peter. ) 8 1 3 8 0 0 Some manuscripts have an additional reading. When the angel and Peter left the prison, they walked down the seven steps of the building. If Peter was imprisoned in the Fortress of Antonia which seems likely, as Paul also was imprisoned in these barracks and guarded by soldiers he would have to descend a number of steps (see 21:40).��) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftnref18 10 1 -1 9 0 “#_ftn18” 17) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 �� ) 8 1 3 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=58.1.14|AUTODETECT|” Suddenly the angel came into Peter s cell, and suddenly he left Peter while they were walking together on the streets of Jerusalem. The angel had accomplished his task 12 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=58.1.14|AUTODETECT|” Heb. 1:14) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ). This was according to God s plan. John Calvin remarks that God could have transferred Peter instantaneously to the room where the believers were praying for his release. If God had removed Peter from one place to another, he would have performed only one miracle. As Luke indicates, God performed a series of miracles in releasing Peter and answering the prayers of the saints.��) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftnref19 10 1 -1 9 0 “#_ftn19” 18) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 �� ) 6 1 3 8 0 0 11. When Peter came to himself, he said, Now I know for sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod s clutches and from all that the Jewish people were expecting. ) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ) 8 7 3 8 0 0 We are unable to explain the miracle of Peter s escape. We know that we can query why God permitted James to be killed but rescued Peter. We can question why Herod, following Peter s release, killed his soldiers (v. 19). Even if we are unable to provide answers, we nevertheless confess our faith in a sovereign God. And with the eighteenth-century poet William Cowper, we sing: ) God moves in a mysterious way ) His wonders to perform. ) He plants his footsteps in the sea ) And rides upon the storm. ) When Peter suddenly realized that the angel had disappeared, he came to his senses and knew that he had not seen a vision. He instantly experienced the reality of his rescue and knew that God had performed a miracle.

He understood that his task on earth would continue, that he would receive a broader ministry away from Jerusalem, and that he was about to enter a new phase in his work of preaching the gospel of salvation. ) Now I know for sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod s clutches and from all that the Jewish people were expecting, said Peter to himself. (By recording this soliloquy, Luke indicates that he heard the account of Peter s rescue from the apostle himself and then accurately transmitted Peter s words.) Peter expressed his thanks to God for sending an angel to deliver him from prison. Peter was fully aware not only of Herod Agrippa s evil intentions but also of the Jewish people s knowledge of his imprisonment and pending trial. The Jews sided with Herod Agrippa and were awaiting Peter s execution following his trial. ) 6 1 3 8 0 0 Doctrinal Considerations in 12:6 11) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ) 8 1 3 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=46.5.8|AUTODETECT|” When the Jewish people celebrated the Feast of Unleavened Bread, they literally disrupted and ended the cycle of fermentation in the baking process. The old yeast, which had to be purged from every home and then burned, represented evil and wickedness 12 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=46.5.8|AUTODETECT|” I Cor. 5:8) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ). Because the Feast of Unleavened Bread and Passover were two names for the same festival in New Testament times, the Jews not only symbolically broke with their sinful past but also commemorated their deliverance from Egyptian bondage. ) 8 1 3 8 0 0 The Jews in Jerusalem at the time of Peter s imprisonment symbolically removed evil from their hearts and lives when they burned the old yeast. At the same time, they were anticipating Peter s trial and his subsequent death. And thus the symbolism of purging evil and wickedness from their hearts was meaningless. Conversely, the symbolism of deliverance in the celebration of Passover became reality for Peter when the angel delivered him from prison. While man failed to cleanse himself from sin and evil, God demonstrated his faithfulness by delivering Peter. ) 6 1 3 8 0 0 Greek Words, Phrases, and Constructions in 12:6 11) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ) 9 1 3 8 0 0 Verse 6) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ) 8 1 3 8 0 0 &� ���������� with the verb ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 to be) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 and the present middle participle, this is the periphrastic construction that indicates duration of time. ) 8 2 3 8 0 0 ��������� from ��� (I bind), the perfect passive participle signifies that an action which took place in the past continues into the present. In brief, Peter had been bound for some time. ) ������ the imperfect active from ����� (I keep) denotes continued action in the past tense. In this particular verse, Luke uses the Greek tenses to full advantage. ) 9 1 3 8 0 0 Verses 7 8) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ) 8 2 3 8 0 0 � here the preposition does not mean out of but from and thus is equivalent to ��. ) ��������� the aorist middle imperative connotes single action: wrap your cloak around you. But ��������, the present active imperative, expresses linear action: keep following me. ) 9 1 3 8 0 0 Verse 10) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ) 8 2 3 8 0 0 %��� the indefinite relative pronoun in this case signifies this very door. ) �P������ although the word is an adjective, it is used adverbially. It modifies the verb ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 opened) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 and not the noun ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 door) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 . ) 9 1 3 8 0 0 Verse 11) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ) 8 1 3 8 0 0 � ���� ��������� the pronoun in the dative case indicates that Peter was no longer sleeping, dreaming, or in a trance. Literally, the text says, he came in himself. ��) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftnref20 10 1 -1 9 0 “#_ftn20” 19) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 �� ) 9 1 3 8 0 0 3. Church in Prayer) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ) 9 1 3 8 0 0 12:12 17) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ) 8 1 3 8 0 0 Indirectly, Luke records a contrast between the Jewish people, who were celebrating the Passover feast while anticipating Peter s public trial and death, and the Christians, who spent their time in continuous prayer petitioning God to release Peter. For their own safety, the Christians stayed together behind a locked gate that controlled entrance to the house. They tried to prevent any unexpected intruders from entering this house and making arrests. ) 6 1 3 8 0 0 12. When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John called Mark, where many people were gathered and praying.) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ) 8 1 3 8 0 0 Peter went to the church that was praying in Mary s house. He knew where some of the believers had gathered and went to them to reveal that God answers prayer and to thank them for their support. He also knew that he was a refugee who had to seek safety elsewhere. ) 8 1 3 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=51.4.10|AUTODETECT|” Luke identifies the meeting place as the house of Mary, the mother of John called Mark. It seems that Mary s house was spacious and could accommodate a large number of people. She belonged to the well-to-do class of citizens, for her house had an outer gate in the wall that surrounded the house. Even though Mary was a Christian and probably a widow, she had been able to keep her house during and after the persecution that followed the death of Stephen. Paul relates that she was the aunt of Barnabas 12 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=51.4.10|AUTODETECT|” Col. 4:10) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ), and Luke calls her the mother of John Mark.��) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftnref21 10 1 -1 9 0 “#_ftn21” 20) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 �� The only mention of Mary in Scripture relates to her readiness to make her house available to the Christians who gathered there for worship and prayer. ) 8 1 3 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=41.14.13-41.14.15|AUTODETECT|” We have no proof that Mary s house was the place where Jesus instituted the Lord s Supper 12 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=41.14.13-41.14.15|AUTODETECT|” Mark 14:13 15) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ), where the apostles gathered after Jesus ascension (1:13), and where the Christians gathered after Peter and John were released from prison (4:23 31). Luke reports, however, that Peter went to Mary s house, where the Christians spent the night to pray for Peter s release. Two members of Mary s household were there also: Rhoda the servant girl and probably John Mark. ) 8 1 3 8 0 0 Mary s son had been given the name ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 John;) 8 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=51.4.10|AUTODETECT|” he subsequently became known as Mark. He accompanied Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey to Cyprus (13:4 5) but decided not to go with them to Asia Minor (13:13). Although Paul expressed negative feelings toward Mark (15:37 40), he later made peace with him 12 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=51.4.10|AUTODETECT|” Col. 4:10) 8 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=55.4.11|AUTODETECT|” ; ) 12 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=55.4.11|AUTODETECT|” II Tim. 4:11) 8 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=57.1.24|AUTODETECT|” ; ) 12 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=57.1.24|AUTODETECT|” Philem. 24) 8 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=60.5.13|AUTODETECT|” ). And Peter affectionately called Mark his son 12 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=60.5.13|AUTODETECT|” I Peter 5:13) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ). According to sources that go back to the beginning of the second century, Mark composed the second Gospel with Peter s help and approval.��) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftnref22 10 1 -1 9 0 “#_ftn22” 21) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 �� ) 6 1 3 8 0 0 13. Peter knocked at the door of the gate and a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14. When she recognized Peter s voice, because of her joy she did not open the gate. But she ran in and announced that Peter was standing in front of the gate.) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ) 8 1 3 8 0 0 Here is a subtle touch of humor which breaks the tension that holds the Christians in its tenacious grip. Picture, first, the apostle Peter standing at the outer gate of Mary s house, cautiously knocking, and longing for safety and shelter; next, the servant girl Rhoda, fearfully approaching the gate and reluctant to open it; and last, the believers, weary and worn, yet intensely praying for Peter s release. When these three parties eventually meet, they realize that God indeed has heard and answered prayer. ) 8 1 3 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=43.18.16-43.18.17|AUTODETECT|” The fact that Luke mentions Rhoda by name indicates that Peter personally knew the members of Mary s household. We assume that in later years Luke received a detailed account from Peter himself. Rhoda was either a slave or a servant who in the employ of Mary had become a Christian. Incidentally, we would have expected a man instead of a servant girl to guard the outer entrance to Mary s house. But in those days the custom seems to have been to appoint servant girls as gatekeepers 12 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=43.18.16-43.18.17|AUTODETECT|” John 18:16 17) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ). ) 8 1 3 8 0 0 When Rhoda approached the outer entrance, she recognized Peter s voice. But instead of opening the gate, she left Peter standing outside. In bewilderment, she rushed back into the house and in a voice trembling with emotion joyfully exclaimed: Peter is standing at the gate. Notice that God gradually reveals the miracle of Peter s release. Instead of having Peter rush into the group of praying Christians, God causes a short delay to prepare the believers for answered prayer. ) 6 1 3 8 0 0 15. They said to her, You are out of your mind. But she kept insisting that it was so. But they said, It is his angel. 16. Peter continued knocking; when they opened the door, they saw him and were astonished.) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ) 8 1 3 8 0 0 Note that Luke records no words of rebuke for the unbelief the Christians expressed. He depicts a normal human reaction to the suddenness of the good news concerning Peter s release. Vividly he portrays the reaction of the Christians by recording their exclamations: You are out of your mind. A colloquial rendering of the Greek verb would be, You are crazy. However, the opposite is true. Of all the people in the house, only Rhoda kept her sanity and steadfastly insisted that Peter was standing outside at the gate.��) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftnref23 10 1 -1 9 0 “#_ftn23” 22) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 �� ) 8 1 3 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=19.91.11|AUTODETECT|” The Christians refused to believe that Peter was alive and free. They told Rhoda: It is his angel. Interestingly, an angel of the Lord set Peter free, but then left him (v. 10). Yet the people at Mary s house were unaware at this point that an angel had liberated Peter. However, we know that the Jews believed that guardian angels protected them 12 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=19.91.11|AUTODETECT|” Ps. 91:11) 8 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=40.18.10|AUTODETECT|” ; ) 12 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=40.18.10|AUTODETECT|” Matt. 18:10) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ). And from the Jewish Talmud, which reflects a slightly later period in time, we learn that the Jews taught that guardian angels assumed the appearance of the persons they protected and thus served as their doubles.��) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftnref24 10 1 -1 9 0 “#_ftn24” 23) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 �� ) 8 1 3 8 0 0 Meanwhile Peter was standing at the gate and possibly heard the commotion inside. He longed to be with his friends, and thus kept knocking at the gate. Eventually the Christians realized that Peter himself was standing there; they opened the door, saw him, and with utter amazement welcomed him into their midst. Fear and tension instantly vanished and gave place to laughter, happiness, joy, and gratitude. ) 6 1 3 8 0 0 17. But after he motioned to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had led him out of the prison. He said, Report these things to James and the brothers. Then he went out and departed to another place.) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ) 8 2 3 8 0 0 We make these observations: ) a. ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 Account.) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 Following the custom of his day, Peter moved his hand back and forth as a sign to his audience to become quiet (see 13:16; 21:40; 26:1). He told them about the prison where he was chained to two soldiers. He related the impossibility of escape, his complete trust in God, and his sound sleep until he was roused by an angel of the Lord. He described how the chains fell off his wrists, how the doors of the prison opened without any resistance from the guards, and how the angel left him in one of the streets of Jerusalem. ) 8 1 3 8 0 0 b. ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 James.) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 Peter said, Report these things to James and the brothers. This short statement is filled with meaning, for in effect, Peter is appointing his successor while he himself becomes a fugitive. James is the half-brother of Jesus, not the son of Zebedee whom Herod Agrippa killed (v. 2). ) 8 1 3 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=43.7.5|AUTODETECT|” From Scripture we know that during Jesus ministry James did not believe in him 12 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=43.7.5|AUTODETECT|” John 7:5) 8 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=46.15.7|AUTODETECT|” ); that after his resurrection, Jesus appeared to James 12 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=46.15.7|AUTODETECT|” I Cor. 15:7) 8 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=48.1.19|AUTODETECT|” ); and that subsequent to Jesus ascension, James was present in the upper room (1:14). Already in these early years, James had become an influential leader in the Jerusalem church and was regarded as an apostle even though he was not one of the Twelve 12 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=48.1.19|AUTODETECT|” Gal. 1:19) 8 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=48.2.9|AUTODETECT|” ). With Peter and John, James was counted one of the pillars of the church 12 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=48.2.9|AUTODETECT|” Gal. 2:9) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ). He was a man blessed with natural leadership ability, for he took an active role in presiding over the Jerusalem Council (15:13 21). And at the conclusion of his third missionary journey, Paul went to Jerusalem and reported to James all the things God had done among the Gentiles (21:19). We surmise that during Peter s imprisonment, James had gone into hiding and therefore had to receive Peter s message indirectly. Nevertheless, by implication Peter appointed James to be his successor. ) 8 1 3 8 0 0 In the New Testament, the word ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 brothers) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 normally signifies fellow believers. Therefore, in this verse the term should be applied not to the biological brothers of James, but to his spiritual brothers and sisters. ) 8 1 3 8 0 0 c. ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 Place.) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 Peter went out and departed to another place. Although Luke deletes the name of the place to which Peter went, he is explicit in stating that Peter left Jerusalem. Some scholars suggest that Peter went to Rome and, as tradition reports, was Rome s first bishop for twenty-five years.��) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftnref25 10 1 -1 9 0 “#_ftn25” 24) 8 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=48.2.11-48.2.14|AUTODETECT|” �� However, the evidence for this tradition is insufficient. Scripture indicates that Peter was in Jerusalem at the time of the Jerusalem Council (15:7 11). Later, he was in Antioch 12 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=48.2.11-48.2.14|AUTODETECT|” Gal. 2:11 14) 8 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=46.1.12|AUTODETECT|” ). Paul indicates that Peter had spent time in Corinth 12 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=46.1.12|AUTODETECT|” I Cor. 1:12) 8 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=46.3.22|AUTODETECT|” ; ) 12 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=46.3.22|AUTODETECT|” 3:22) 8 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=46.9.5|AUTODETECT|” ) and was a traveling apostle whose wife accompanied him 12 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=46.9.5|AUTODETECT|” I Cor. 9:5) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ). We conclude that the place to which Peter went is unknown, but the text indicates he was an itinerant missionary. ) 6 1 3 8 0 0 Doctrinal Considerations in 12:15) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ) 8 1 3 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=19.91.11|AUTODETECT|” Do we have guardian angels? Scripture clearly teaches that God commissions his angels to guard and to serve us. The psalmist writes, God has commanded his angels to guard you wherever you go 12 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=19.91.11|AUTODETECT|” Ps. 91:11) 8 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=40.18.10|AUTODETECT|” ). Jesus warns us not to despise little children, for their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven 12 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=40.18.10|AUTODETECT|” Matt. 18:10) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 , NIV). And the writer of Hebrews asks a rhetorical question that implies a positive answer: Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who are about to inherit salvation? (1:14, NIV).��) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftnref26 10 1 -1 9 0 “#_ftn26” 25) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 �� ) 8 1 3 8 0 0 What, then, is the message Scripture gives us? The Bible teaches that God has commissioned his angels to be precise, a particular class of angels to protect the believers on earth. Scripture nowhere indicates that every believer throughout his earthly life is protected by one particular angel. Angels are God s servants who take care of believers. To say more than Scripture reveals results in conjecture and speculation. ) 6 1 3 8 0 0 Greek Words, Phrases, and Constructions in 12:14 and 17) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ) 9 1 3 8 0 0 Verse 14) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ) 8 2 3 8 0 0 �x ��� ����� because of her joy. The preposition �� expresses cause. ) �x� ������ the word ���� (gate, door) is not used, but a term that signifies the gateway of a city or, in this case, a house.��) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftnref27 10 1 -1 9 0 “#_ftn27” 26) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 �� ) 9 1 3 8 0 0 Verse 17) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ) 8 2 3 8 0 0 A ������ note that Peter credits the Lord, not an angel, with the miracle of delivering him from prison. ) ����� here the adjective denotes a place that is entirely different from the environment familiar to Peter. ) 9 1 3 8 0 0 4. Reaction of Herod) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ) 9 1 3 8 0 0 12:18 19) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ) 6 1 3 8 0 0 18. Now when daylight came, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had happened to Peter. 19. Herod had a search made for him but did not find him. Then he examined the guards and ordered that they be led away to execution. Herod went down from Judea to Caesarea and was spending time there.) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ) 8 1 3 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=40.2.16|AUTODETECT|” God s ways are inscrutable and his judgments unsearchable. He protects his servant Peter and causes him to escape to a haven where Herod Agrippa is unable to apprehend him. But God does not shield and protect the soldiers, who by order of Herod perform their duty to guard a prisoner in a maximum-security cell. They suffer the dire consequences of Peter s nocturnal escape. Similarly, when Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Herod the Great told his soldiers to go there and kill all the boys who were two years old and younger 12 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=40.2.16|AUTODETECT|” Matt. 2:16) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ). These infants were innocent, and yet they were killed. God grants life but also takes it away. ) 8 4 3 8 0 0 a. There was no small commotion among the soldiers. The next morning, consternation struck the soldiers. The two soldiers within the cell woke with chains still on their wrists, but the chains were not binding Peter. They knew that Roman law stipulated the death penalty for guards who permitted their prisoners to escape (see also 16:27; 27:42). The guards placed at the doors were also filled with fear because they, too, would be killed. ) b.

Herod had a search made. The news of Peter s escape spread and within a short time reached Herod Agrippa. As commander-in-chief of the armed forces, he immediately ordered his soldiers to make a diligent search for Peter. Perhaps he cherished the secret hope that if Peter had miraculously escaped from prison, he would still remain in Jerusalem (5:25). Undoubtedly, the soldiers searched the houses of prominent believers and questioned numerous Christians about Peter s escape. However, the search proved to be futile, for Peter had fled. ) c.

Then he examined the guards. During the course of that day, the guards were ordered to appear before Herod Agrippa to explain Peter s escape. Their only explanation was that during the night they had fallen asleep. And even though the doors were locked and Peter had been chained to two soldiers, he had disappeared. They assured Herod that they were free from complicity. ) d. [He] ordered that [the guards] be led away to execution. The verb ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 to be led away) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 can refer to committing a person to jail,��) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftnref28 10 1 -1 9 0 “#_ftn28” 27) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 �� but in this instance the term points to capital punishment. From a human point of view, Herod s verdict seems cruel and unjust. However, this human act of injustice serves as a contrast to a divine act of justice (Herod s miserable end; see v. 23). ) 8 8 3 8 0 0 e. Herod went down from Judea to Caesarea. Caesarea served as headquarters for the Roman governors who ruled Palestine, but King Herod Agrippa had decided to live in Jerusalem. After Peter s miraculous escape, Herod Agrippa left the Jewish capital and took up residence in Caesarea. ) In Jerusalem, Herod had lifted his hand against God s people, learned that God fought on the side of the believers, and thus experienced disappointment. In Caesarea Herod would experience divine judgment. ) C. Death of Herod Agrippa I ) 12:20 25 ) 20 Herod was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon.

With one accord they came to him; having won over Blastus, a chief officer of the king, they sought peace because they depended on the king s land for food. ) 21 On the appointed day, Herod wore his royal robe and sat on his throne. He began to deliver a public address. 22 Then the people shouted, The voice of a god and not of a man. 23 Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give glory to God. He was eaten by worms and died. ) 24 But the word of God continued to increase and multiply. 25 When Barnabas and Saul returned after they had fulfilled their mission at Jerusalem, they took with them John, also called Mark. ) Luke connects the account of Peter s escape and that of Herod s death with the transitional statement, Herod went down from Judea to Caesarea and was spending time there (v. 19). The tense of the Greek verb for spend indicates that he stayed for an undetermined period of time in Caesarea. Nevertheless, from a divine point of view, his days were numbered. ) 6 1 3 8 0 0 20. Herod was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. With one accord they came to him; having won over Blastus, a chief officer of the king, they sought peace because they depended on the king s land for food.) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ) 8 1 3 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=38.2.7-38.2.9|AUTODETECT|” Why does Luke introduce secular history into his account that describes the development of the Christian church from Jerusalem to Caesarea and Antioch, and eventually to Rome? First, God punishes Herod Agrippa by taking his life. He does so in response to Herod s attack on two of the twelve apostles: James, whom Herod killed, and Peter, whom he imprisoned. God judged Herod Agrippa, who knew the Old Testament Scriptures and who had touched the apple of God s eye 12 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=38.2.7-38.2.9|AUTODETECT|” Zech. 2:7 9) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ). Next, Luke indicates that God blessed the church: the word of God continued to increase and multiply (v. 24). ) 8 1 3 8 0 0 Herod had been angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon for some time. The inhabitants of these two harbor cities of Phoenicia (modern Lebanon) were rivals of Caesarea in the world of commerce, but for their food supply they depended on Israel s grain harvests. We assume that Herod denied the Phoenicians access to Israel s grain markets and thus made their life miserable. In short, Herod conducted economic warfare with the Phoenicians, who for centuries had been Israel s trading partners.��) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftnref29 10 1 -1 9 0 “#_ftn29” 28) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 �� ) 8 1 3 8 0 0 Luke is not interested in providing details about Herod s quarrel. He merely relates that the common desire of the citizens of Tyre and Sidon was to seek peace with Herod. To achieve this end, a delegation persuaded Blastus, who was Herod s chief officer, to ask Herod to lift the grain embargo and to establish normal relations between Israel and Phoenicia. The word ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 peace) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 is the equivalent of reconciliation and signifies that the quarrel ended.��) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftnref30 10 1 -1 9 0 “#_ftn30” 29) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 �� Because of the brevity of the account, we do not know whether the delegation returned immediately to Tyre and Sidon or stayed for the scheduled festivities in Caesarea. ) 6 1 3 8 0 0 21. On the appointed day, Herod wore his royal robe and sat on his throne. He began to deliver a public address. 22. Then the people shouted, The voice of a god and not of a man. 23. Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give glory to God. He was eaten by worms and died.) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ) 8 1 3 8 0 0 The Jewish historiographer Josephus relates that Herod Agrippa had come to Caesarea to celebrate a festival held in honor of Emperor Claudius.��) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftnref31 10 1 -1 9 0 “#_ftn31” 30) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 �� The festival consisted of games that were held every five years, presumably scheduled for the first of August to coincide with the emperor s birthday.��) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftnref32 10 1 -1 9 0 “#_ftn32” 31) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 �� This date would be significant it came after the grain harvest had been completed and thus merchants would buy wheat. ) 8 2 3 8 0 0 Josephus writes that on the second day of these games, Herod entered the arena at daybreak. He was dressed in a garment woven from silver thread. When the first rays of the sun touched his cloak, Herod was illumined by the sun s reflected light. ) Straightway his flatterers raised their voices from various directions though hardly for his own good addressing him as a god. May you be propitious to us, they added, and if we have hitherto feared you as a man, yet henceforth we agree that you are more than mortal in your being. The king did not rebuke them nor did he reject their flattery as impious.��) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftnref33 10 1 -1 9 0 “#_ftn33” 32) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 �� ) 8 1 3 8 0 0 Both Luke and Josephus describe Herod Agrippa s appearance before the crowd. The two writers differ only on a few points: Luke states that Herod began to deliver a public address, but Josephus omits this detail; Luke reports that the people shouted, The voice of a god, and not of a man ; Josephus says that the Gentile crowd addressed Herod as a god; Luke mentions that an angel of the Lord struck Herod down, while Josephus notes that Herod saw an owl perched on a rope over his head. Fourth-century church historian Eusebius, having quoted extensively from the account of Josephus, blends this detail with the biblical record and says that Herod saw an angel seated above his head. ��) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftnref34 10 1 -1 9 0 “#_ftn34” 33) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 �� ) 8 1 3 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=12.19.35|AUTODETECT|” In numerous passages in Scripture, we read that God commissioned an angel to execute punishment. For instance, an angel killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in one night 12 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=12.19.35|AUTODETECT|” II Kings 19:35) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ).��) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftnref35 10 1 -1 9 0 “#_ftn35” 34) 8 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=2.20.5|AUTODETECT|” �� God publicly punished Herod Agrippa for accepting honors that were due to God himself. God is a jealous God, as he himself asserts. He does not allow anyone to take his place 12 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=2.20.5|AUTODETECT|” Exod. 20:5) 8 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=5.5.9|AUTODETECT|” ; ) 12 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=5.5.9|AUTODETECT|” Deut. 5:9) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ). ) 8 1 3 8 0 0 Luke graphically describes Herod s demise by saying that he was eaten by worms and died. Although scholars have suggested a number of causes of death, ranging from appendicitis to poisoning, we rely on Luke s medical analysis of the king s decease. We do so in the knowledge that, because of his divine intervention, God reveals Herod Agrippa s punishment: he had to be devoured by worms and thus suffer an extremely painful and utterly despicable end. Calvin remarks that Herod s body reeked because of decay, so that he was nothing more than a living carcass.��) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftnref36 10 1 -1 9 0 “#_ftn36” 35) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 �� Other sources describe the excruciating death of being consumed by worms; one account refers to Antiochus Epiphanes, a tyrant who had persecuted the Jews and who therefore was struck with an incurable disease: And so the ungodly man s body swarmed with worms, and while he was still living in anguish and pain, his flesh rotted away, and because of his stench the whole army felt revulsion at his decay -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftnref37 11 1 -1 9 0 “#_ftn37” RSV) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ). ) 8 1 3 8 0 0 Josephus supplies the information that Herod died after five days in pain, in the fifty-fourth year of his life and the seventh of his reign. ��) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftnref38 10 1 -1 9 0 “#_ftn38” 36) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 �� That is, Herod died in a.d. 44. A persecutor of the church, he came to a shameful death relatively soon after he had killed James and incarcerated Peter. ) 6 1 3 8 0 0 24. But the word of God continued to increase and multiply.) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ) 8 1 3 8 0 0 After Herod s death, the Roman emperor appointed a governor to rule the land of the Jews. The Christians once again enjoyed freedom from persecution. As a result, the church continued to increase numerically. Luke implies that the messengers of the gospel went everywhere with the Good News. Wherever these ministers proclaimed the message of salvation, there the church was strengthened in the faith and supported by numerous additional believers. At the beginning of his book, Luke mentions figures to indicate the phenomenal growth of the church. But as the church expanded in ever-widening circles, Luke speaks only in generalities and states that the word of God continued to increase and multiply (see 6:7; 19:20). ) 6 1 3 8 0 0 25. When Barnabas and Saul returned after they had fulfilled their mission at Jerusalem, they took with them John, also called Mark.) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ) 8 2 3 8 0 0 Luke has come to the end of his historical survey of Herod Agrippa s influence on the church. After this interlude, he returns to his account of Barnabas and Paul (11:30). These two men had traveled from Antioch to Jerusalem with relief for the famine-stricken population of that city. They made this trip after Herod Agrippa had died. Luke does not link the return of Barnabas and Paul to Herod s rule in Jerusalem. Rather, he completely separates the two reports and uses verse 25 as an introduction to his account of Paul s first missionary journey (13:1 3). ) Luke writes the verb ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 returned) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 and by implication suggests that Barnabas and Paul went to Antioch. From Luke s point of view, the men returned to his native town. Therefore, he feels no need to be explicit and mention Antioch by name. For him, nor Jerusalem but Antioch is the mission center that occupies a strategic place in the growth and development of the church. Antioch sent missionaries into the Greco-Roman world. ) 8 1 3 8 0 0 John Mark, who in later life became known as Mark, accompanied his cousin Barnabas and Paul. He revealed an interest in spreading the good news of salvation and became a helper of the two missionaries whom the Antiochean church sent to Cyprus (13:5). ) 6 1 3 8 0 0 Doctrinal Considerations in 12:21 23) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ) 8 1 3 8 0 “tw://bible.?id=2.20.5|AUTODETECT|” When God says in the Decalogue, I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God 12 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=2.20.5|AUTODETECT|” Exod. 20:5) 8 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=5.5.9|AUTODETECT|” ; ) 12 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=5.5.9|AUTODETECT|” Deut. 5:9) 8 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=3.10.1-3.10.2|AUTODETECT|” ), he speaks no idle words. He jealously guards his honor. In fact, examples abound of people meeting divine punishment when they knowingly tried to take honor from him. Two sons of Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, put aside God s instructions regarding their duties at the altar and decided to follow their own inclinations. God punished them with sudden death 12 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=3.10.1-3.10.2|AUTODETECT|” Lev. 10:1 2) 8 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=14.26.16-14.26.21|AUTODETECT|” ). Uzziah, king of Judah, was filled with pride and wanted to burn incense in the temple. He set aside God s precepts that only priests could offer incense. Therefore, God struck him, with leprosy, which made him an outcast, and in isolation Uzziah died 12 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=14.26.16-14.26.21|AUTODETECT|” II Chron. 26:16 21) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ). King Herod Agrippa knew the Scriptures, which he publicly read to the people in the temple area during a Jewish feast. Yet, when the crowd in Caesarea addressed him as if he were divine, Herod did not rebuke them but claimed for himself honor that belonged only to God. ) 8 1 3 8 0 0 Note the contrast in the lives of Paul and Barnabas, who healed a crippled man in Lystra. In their excitement, the people exclaimed that the gods had come down to them; the Lycaonians regarded Barnabas as Zeus and Paul as Hermes (14:11 12). Moreover, the priest of Zeus wanted to honor Paul and Barnabas by offering sacrifices to them. However, the missionaries strenuously objected to this misplaced honor. They expressed their anguish by tearing their clothes and emphatically stated that they were not gods but only men (14:13 15). They told the people about the living God, the maker of heaven and earth, and thus exalted God s name and honor. Indeed, they knew that God is a jealous God. ) 6 1 3 8 0 0 Greek Words, Phrases, and Constructions in 12:20 and 25) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ) 9 1 3 8 0 0 Verse 20) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ) 8 1 3 8 0 0 &� ��������� the periphrastic construction of the verb ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 to be) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 with the present participle indicates that Herod s quarrel was not a momentary outburst of anger but a continuing dispute. The compound participle derives from the noun ����� (rage) and the verb ������� (I fight). The second part of the compound controls the first part and thus means to be very angry. ��) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftnref39 10 1 -1 9 0 “#_ftn39” 37) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 �� ) 8 1 3 8 0 0 �������� literally, the noun refers to the one in charge of the bed-chamber. ��) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftnref40 10 1 -1 9 0 “#_ftn40” 38) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 �� However, in context the word signifies a highly trusted official ) 9 1 3 8 0 0 Verse 25) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ) 8 1 3 8 0 0 �0� the reading ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 into Jerusalem) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 is indeed troublesome. The context demands the translation ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 from Jerusalem,) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 especially because John Mark, a resident of Jerusalem, accompanied Barnabas and Paul. The better manuscripts have the preposition �0� instead of �� and � (away from; from). But the verb Q���������� (to return) in Acts frequently specifies the place to which a person returns.��) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftnref41 10 1 -1 9 0 “#_ftn41” 39) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 �� The preposition �0� can take the place of � (at). Bruce M. Metzger, therefore, suggests the following translation: Barnabas and Saul returned, after they had fulfilled at Jerusalem their mission, bringing with them John whose other name was Mark. ��) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftnref42 10 1 -1 9 0 “#_ftn42” 40) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 �� Even so, difficulties remain. ) 8 1 3 8 0 0 ����������� from the verb ������ (I fulfill), the particple is an effective aorist that emphasizes completion of a task. The participle ��������������� (taking along) is a constative aorist that contemplates the action in its entirety. ��) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftnref43 10 1 -1 9 0 “#_ftn43” 41) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 �� ) 9 1 3 8 0 0 Summary of Chapter 12) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ) 8 4 3 8 0 0 King Herod Agrippa I persecutes the church by killing the apostle James, the brother of John. He arrests Peter and places him in prison during the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Passover). He has Peter guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. While Peter is in prison, the church is praying for his release. ) On the eve of Peter s trial, an angel enters Peter s prison cell. Sound asleep, Peter is shackled to two guards. Awakened by the angel and set free from his fetters, Peter follows the angel through the doors and gate to the street outside.

The angel disappears and Peter comes to his senses. He quickly goes to the house of John Mark s mother, where he knocks on the door. Many Christians are praying and Rhoda, a servant girl, comes to the door. She recognizes Peter s voice but fails to open the door. The Christians give entrance to Peter and are astonished. Peter relates the story of his release and, after giving instructions, leaves Jerusalem. ) Herod examines the report of the soldiers.

He orders that they be executed and then leaves for Caesarea. He settles a dispute with the people of Tyre and Sidon. On a given day he is dressed in royal robes, addresses a crowd, and accepts their claim that he is a god and not a man. An angel of the Lord strikes him down, so that he is eaten by worms and dies. ) The church continues to increase and multiply. Barnabas and Paul, accompanied by John Mark, journey from Jerusalem to Antioch. ) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftn1 10 1 3 8 0 “#_ftnref1” 1 ) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 Lake and Cadbury, ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 Beginnings) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 , vol. 4, p. 132. ) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftn2 10 1 3 8 0 “#_ftnref2” 2 ) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 Josephus ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 Antiquities) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 18.6.10 [225 39]. ) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftn3 10 1 3 8 0 “#_ftnref3” 3 ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 Antiquities) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 18.7.1 2 [240 55]; ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 War) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 2.9.6 [181 83]. ) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftn4 10 1 3 8 0 “#_ftnref4” 4 ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 Antiquities) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 19.5.1 [274 75]; ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 War) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 2.11.5 [214 15]. ) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftn5 10 1 3 8 0 “#_ftnref5” 5 ) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 Mishnah, ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 Sola) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 7.8. ) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftn6 10 1 3 8 0 “#_ftnref6” 6 ) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 Consult J. Blinzler, Rechtsgeschichtliches zur Hinrichtung des Zebed�iden Jakobus, ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 NovT) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 5 (1962): 191 206. ) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftn7 10 1 3 8 0 “#_ftnref7” 7 ) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 Gleason L. Archer, Jr., ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1982), pp. 375 76. ) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftn8 10 1 3 8 0 “#_ftnref8” 8 ) 8 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=42.22.44|AUTODETECT|” Cf. ) 12 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=42.22.44|AUTODETECT|” Luke 22:44) 8 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=59.5.16|AUTODETECT|” ; ) 12 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=59.5.16|AUTODETECT|” James 5:16) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ; Jth. 4:9. ) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftn9 10 1 3 8 0 “#_ftnref9” 9 ) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 Thayer, p. 319. ) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftn10 10 1 3 8 0 “#_ftnref10” 10 ) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 C. F. D. Moule, ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 An Idiom-Book of New Testament Greek) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 , 2d ed. (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1960), p. 177. ) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftn11 10 1 3 8 0 “#_ftnref11” 11 ) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 F. F. Bruce, ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 The Acts of the Apostles: The Greek Text with Introduction and Commentary) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 , 3d (rev. and enl.) ed. (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1990), p. 282. ) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftn12 10 1 3 8 0 “#_ftnref12” 12 ) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 In a.d. 37, Herod Agrippa himself had been a prisoner in Rome, where he was chained to a soldier. Josephus ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 Antiquities) 8 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=49.6.20|AUTODETECT|” 18.6.7 [196]. See also 28:16; ) 12 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=49.6.20|AUTODETECT|” Eph. 6:20) 8 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=55.1.16|AUTODETECT|” ; ) 12 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=55.1.16|AUTODETECT|” II Tim. 1:16) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 . ) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftn13 11 1 3 8 0 “#_ftnref13” NIV ) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 New International Version ) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftn14 10 1 3 8 0 “#_ftnref14” 13 ) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 See 5:19; 8:26; 10:3; 12:23; 27:23. ) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftn15 10 1 3 8 0 “#_ftnref15” 14 ) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 Ernst Haenchen calls the account a legend 9 1 -1 9 0 0 The Acts of the Apostles: A Commentary) 8 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=46.15.14|AUTODETECT|” , trans. Bernard Noble and Gerald Shinn [Philadelphia: Westminster, 1971], p. 391). But if the account of Peter s release from prison is considered legendary, Christ s resurrection from the dead can be regarded mythical. Then our faith, says Paul, is useless 12 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=46.15.14|AUTODETECT|” I Cor. 15:14) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 ). ) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftn16 10 1 3 8 0 “#_ftnref16” 15 ) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 F. W. Grosheide, ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 De Handelingen der Apostelen) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 , Kommentaar op het Nieuwe Testament series, 2 vols. (Amsterdam: Van Bottenburg, 1942), vol. 1, pp. 386 87. ) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftn17 10 1 3 8 0 “#_ftnref17” 16 ) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 Josephus uses the word ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 automatos) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 when he recounts that shortly before the fall of Jerusalem (a.d. 70), the temple gate was observed at the sixth hour of the night to have opened of its own accord. ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 War) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 6.5.3 [293] (LCL). ) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftn18 10 1 3 8 0 “#_ftnref18” 17 ) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 Bruce M. Metzger, ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 A Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 , 3d corrected ed. (London and New York: United Bible Societies, 1975), p. 394. See Lake and Cadbury, ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 Beginnings) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 , vol. 4, p. 136. ) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftn19 10 1 3 8 0 “#_ftnref19” 18 ) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 John Calvin, ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 , ed. David W. Torrance and Thomas F. Torrance, 2 vols. (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1966), vol. 1, p. 341. ) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftn20 10 1 3 8 0 “#_ftnref20” 19 ) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 Moule, ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 Idiom-Book) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 , p. 75. ) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftn21 10 1 3 8 0 “#_ftnref21” 20 ) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 A. van Veldhuizen, ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 Markus. De Neef van Barnabas) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 (Kampen: Kok, 1933), pp. 18 19. ) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftn22 10 1 3 8 0 “#_ftnref22” 21 ) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 Eusebius ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 Ecclesiastical History) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 2.15.1 2; 3.24.7; 3.39.15; 5.8.3; 6.14.6 7; 6.25.5; see also Ralph P. Martin, ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 Mark: Evangelist and Theologian) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1972), pp. 80 83. ) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftn23 10 1 3 8 0 “#_ftnref23” 22 ) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 R. C. H. Lenski, ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 The Interpretation of the Acts of the Apostles) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 (Columbus: Wartburg, 1944), p. 480. ) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftn24 10 1 3 8 0 “#_ftnref24” 23 ) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 SB, vol. 1, pp. 781 83; vol. 2, pp. 707 8; C. P. Thiede, ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 Simon Peter: From Galilee to Rome) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 (Exeter: Paternoster, 1986), pp. 153 58. ) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftn25 10 1 3 8 0 “#_ftnref25” 24 ) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 For example, see John Wenham, Did Peter go to Rome in a.d. 42? ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 TynB) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 23 (1972): 92 102; R. E. Osborne, Where Did Peter Go? ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 CJT) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 14 (1968): 274 77. ) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftn26 10 1 3 8 0 “#_ftnref26” 25 ) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 See also Tob. 12:12 15. ) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftn27 10 1 3 8 0 “#_ftnref27” 26 ) 8 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=40.26.71|AUTODETECT|” Refer to ) 12 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=40.26.71|AUTODETECT|” Matt. 26:71) 8 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=42.16.20|AUTODETECT|” ; ) 12 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=42.16.20|AUTODETECT|” Luke 16:20) 8 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=44.10.17|AUTODETECT|” ; ) 12 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=44.10.17|AUTODETECT|” Acts 10:17) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 . David Hill, ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 NIDNTT) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 , vol. 2, p. 30; Joachim Jeremias, ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 TDNT) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 , vol. 6, p. 921. ) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftn28 10 1 3 8 0 “#_ftnref28” 27 ) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 Calvin, ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 Acts of the Apostles) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 , vol. 1, p. 344. ) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftn29 10 1 3 8 0 “#_ftnref29” 28 ) 8 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=11.5.11|AUTODETECT|” Refer to ) 12 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=11.5.11|AUTODETECT|” I Kings 5:11) 8 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=15.3.7|AUTODETECT|” ; ) 12 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=15.3.7|AUTODETECT|” Ezra 3:7) 8 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=26.27.17|AUTODETECT|” ; ) 12 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=26.27.17|AUTODETECT|” Ezek. 27:17) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 . ) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftn30 10 1 3 8 0 “#_ftnref30” 29 ) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 Henry Alford, ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 Alford s Greek Testament: An Exegetical and Critical Commentary) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 , 7th ed., 4 vols. (1877; Grand Rapids: Guardian, 1976), vol. 2, p. 136. ) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftn31 10 1 3 8 0 “#_ftnref31” 30 ) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 Josephus ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 Antiquities) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 19.8.2 [343]. ) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftn32 10 1 3 8 0 “#_ftnref32” 31 ) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 Suetonius ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 Claudius) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 2.1. ) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftn33 10 1 3 8 0 “#_ftnref33” 32 ) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 Josephus ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 Antiquities) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 19.8.2 [345] (LCL). ) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftn34 10 1 3 8 0 “#_ftnref34” 33 ) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 Eusebius ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 Ecclesiastical History) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 2.10.6 (LCL). ) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftn35 10 1 3 8 0 “#_ftnref35” 34 ) 8 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=2.33.2|AUTODETECT|” See also ) 12 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=2.33.2|AUTODETECT|” Exod. 33:2) 8 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=19.35.5-19.35.6|AUTODETECT|” ; ) 12 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=19.35.5-19.35.6|AUTODETECT|” Pss. 35:5 6) 8 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=19.78.49|AUTODETECT|” ; ) 12 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=19.78.49|AUTODETECT|” 78:49) 8 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=40.13.41|AUTODETECT|” ; ) 12 1 -1 9 0 “tw://bible.?id=40.13.41|AUTODETECT|” Matt. 13:41) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 . ) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftn36 10 1 3 8 0 “#_ftnref36” 35 ) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 Calvin, ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 Acts of the Apostles) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 , vol. 1, p. 347. ) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftn37 11 1 3 8 0 “#_ftnref37” RSV ) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 Revised Standard Version ) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftn38 10 1 3 8 0 “#_ftnref38” 36 ) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 Josephus ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 Antiquities) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 19.8.2 [350] (LCL). ) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftn39 10 1 3 8 0 “#_ftnref39” 37 ) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 Friedrich Blass and Albert Debrunner, ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 A Greek Grammar of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 , trans. and rev. Robert Funk (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1961), #191.1. ) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftn40 10 1 3 8 0 “#_ftnref40” 38 ) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 Bauer, p. 440. ) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftn41 10 1 3 8 0 “#_ftnref41” 39 ) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 E.g., 1:12; 8:25; 12:25; 13:13, 34; 14:21; 21:6; 22:17; 23:32. ) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftn42 10 1 3 8 0 “#_ftnref42” 40 ) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 Metzger, ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 Textual Commentary) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 , p. 400. ) -2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ftn43 10 1 3 8 0 “#_ftnref43” 41 ) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 H. E. Dana and Julius R. Mantey, ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 A Manual Grammar of the Greek New Testament) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 (1927; New York: Macmillan, 1967), p. 196. See also A. T. Robertson, ) 9 1 -1 9 0 0 A Grammar of the Greek New Testament in the Light of Historical Research) 8 1 -1 9 0 0 (Nashville: Broadman, 1934), p. 859.)