Geneva Study Bible Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. Now {1} about that time {a} Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.
(1) God gives his Church peace only for a short time. (a) This name Herod was common to all those that come from the stock of Herod Ascalonites, whose surname was Magnus: but he that is spoken of here was nephew to Herod the great, son to Aristobulus, and father to the Agrippa who is spoken of afterwards. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And he {b} killed James the brother of John with the sword.
(b) Violently, his cause not being heard at all. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) {2} And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)
(2) It is an old habit of tyrants to attain the favour of the wicked, with the blood of the godly. 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. {3} 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.
(3) The tyrants and wicked make a gallows for themselves even then when they do most according to their own will and fantasy. Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. {4} Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
(4) The prayers of the godly overturn the counsel of tyrants, obtain angels from God, break the prison, unloose the chains, put Satan to flight, and preserve the Church. 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. 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.
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. And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the {c} prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.
(c) Literally, habitation; (Ed.). And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.
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. 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.
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. 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.
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. 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.
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. {5} 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.
(5) Holy meetings in the nights of both men and women (when they cannot take place in the day time) are allowable by the example of the apostles. And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. {6} And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel {d} came to hearken, named Rhoda.
(6) We obtain more from God than we dare well hope for. (d) Out of the place where they were assembled, but not out of the house. And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate. And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.
And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel. And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.
But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished. But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.
But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place. {7} But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.
(7) We may sometimes give place to the rage of the wicked, but yet only in such a way that our diligence which ought to be used in God's business does not slacken in the least. Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter. {8} Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.
(8) Evil counsel in the end results in the hurt of those who devised it. And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there abode. And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there abode.
And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's country. {9} And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's country.
(9) A miserable and shameful example of what happens to the enemies of the Church. And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.
And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. {10} And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.
(10) The flattery of people makes fools glad. 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. {11} And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he {e} gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.
(11) God resists the proud. (e) Josephus records that this king did not repress the flatterer's tongues, and therefore at his death he complained and cried out about their empty praise. But the word of God grew and multiplied. {12} But the {s} word of God grew and multiplied.
(12) Tyrants build up the Church by destroying it. (s) Those that heard the word of God. And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark. And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark. The Geneva Bible Translation Notes [1599] Bible Hub |
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