返回Chapter 12
Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
Acts 12:1–5. At that time King Herod laid hands on some who belonged to the church, to do them harm, and killed James, the brother of John, with the sword. And seeing that this was pleasing to the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. Then were the days of unleavened bread. And having arrested him, he put him in prison, and commanded four quaternions of soldiers to guard him, intending after Passover to bring him out to the people. So Peter was kept in prison; meanwhile the church earnestly prayed to God for him.
At what "time" was that? During the reign of Emperor Claudius. For the Roman Emperor Claudius appointed Agrippa as king of the Jews, having banished Herod together with Herodias to Lugdunum, a Galilean city. This is the same Herod under whom John suffered, as Josephus and Eusebius recount. So this discrepancy in the name, that is, Herod being said instead of Agrippa, occurred either because he bore two names, or from a scribal error. Note: of the twelve disciples of the Lord, James was the first to suffer.
"On some of those belonging to the church." Note that he calls the faithful men and the society composed of them the church.
"Seeing that this was pleasing to the Jews, after that he also seized Peter." Lest anyone say that the apostles go to meet death so fearlessly and without trembling because God snatches them from its hands, God also permitted that even the foremost among them—Stephen and James—be put to death. By this God shows the murderers themselves that He does not remove them from this either and does not hinder them here. Murder was a pleasing thing for their misplaced passions, and a lawless murder at that. It was necessary to put an end to their impulse, but Herod, like an executioner of the sick rather than their physician, incites them, though he had seen thousands of examples in the lives of his grandfather and his father Herod.
"Then were the days of unleavened bread… having seized him, he put him in prison." Again the excessive scrupulousness of the Jews is revealed: they did not object to killing him, but they objected to doing it at such a time.
"He commanded four quaternions of soldiers to guard him." This was due both to anger and to fear. The more careful the guard, the more amazing the manifestation of the power of God. And this happened on account of the apostle Peter, who was very well known.
"Meanwhile the church prayed earnestly to God for him." Listen to how they interceded for their teachers: they did not revolt, they did not rebel, but turned to the true ally — prayer.
Acts 12:6–10. Now when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and guards before the door were keeping the prison. And behold, an Angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison. And the Angel, striking Peter on the side, woke him up and said: Arise quickly. And the chains fell off his hands. And the Angel said to him: Gird yourself and put on your sandals. And he did so. Then he said to him: Put on your garment and follow me. And Peter went out and followed him, not knowing that what was being done by the angel was real, but thinking he was seeing a vision. When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and passed through one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.
Peter was neither confused nor afraid, but on that very night, when they intended to bring him out of the prison, he slept, having entrusted everything to the will of the Lord. Pay attention also to how thorough the guard was: the guards slept with him as well.
But why did "a light shine in the prison?" So that Peter could both see and hear the Angel and so that he would not think it was an imagination. The Angel even struck him — so soundly was he sleeping. As for the expression "striking Peter on the side," it indicates not the Angel's confusion, but an urging not to delay.
"Gird yourself and put on your sandals." How is it that Peter acted contrary to the command not to take "neither gold, nor silver, nor copper in your belts, nor a bag for the journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor a staff" (Matt. 10:9–10)? Yet he had both clothing and sandals, although at that time one was supposed to go without sandals, since the particular need for them arises in winter. But Paul too, having written to Timothy, "Make every effort to come before winter," says to him, "When you come, bring the cloak that I left in Troas with Carpus" (2 Tim. 4:13, 21). No one can say that Paul did not have another garment that he wore. They were not acting contrary to Christ's command—God forbid! On the contrary, they were even very much following the command, because that command was given for a time, not forever. Moreover, Luke also says that Christ told the disciples, "When I sent you without a money bag, without a knapsack, and without sandals, did you lack anything?" They answered, "Nothing." Then He said to them, "But now, whoever has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack" (Luke 22:35–36). Christ gave that command at that time wishing to show His power, for tell me, what great matter was it to have only one garment? So then, what of it? When it needed to be washed, was one supposed to go about naked or sit at home? And when severe cold set in and frost contracted the body, was one supposed to warm oneself and not preach? For their bodies were not of adamantine strength.
"Not knowing that what was done by the Angel was real, but thinking that he saw a vision." This is very natural given the astonishing extraordinariness of what had happened, because the extraordinariness of the signs strikes the beholder. Peter thought he was seeing a vision, yet he was girding himself and putting on his sandals. What else could he have felt but amazement?
Acts 12:11–18. Then Peter, coming to himself, said: now I truly know that the Lord has sent His Angel and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting. And having looked around, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was called Mark, where many were gathered together and praying. And when Peter knocked at the gate door, a servant girl named Rhoda came to listen; and recognizing Peter's voice, out of joy she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter was standing at the gate. And they said to her: are you out of your mind? But she kept insisting. And they said: it is his angel. Meanwhile Peter continued knocking. And when they opened, they saw him and were astonished. But he, motioning with his hand for them to be silent, told them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison, and said: report these things to James and to the brethren. Then he departed and went to another place. When day came, there was no small commotion among the soldiers about what had become of Peter.
Now, he says, I knew, "now I see truly," and not then. It was pleasing to the Angel that Peter's heart be filled with joy suddenly and that he understand what had happened only after the deliverance.
"Having looked around." Upon reflection, he saw that he should not simply continue on his way, but rather give thanks to the Benefactor.
"John, who was called Mark." This John was perhaps not the one who constantly remained with the apostles. That is why the writer added his distinguishing name, since he said: "who was called Mark." Perhaps this is Mark the Evangelist, through whom, they say, Peter transmitted his Gospel, since the Gospel of Mark is said to be Peter's Gospel. This supposition is justified by the fact that Peter and the other apostles spent a considerable amount of time at his house.
"From joy she did not open the gate." Notice the reverence of the servant girl: "from joy," it says, "she did not open." But this turned out beautifully, for otherwise the rest, astonished by his unexpected appearance, would perhaps not have believed that it was he, since even as it was they did not want to believe.
"And they said, 'It is his Angel.'" This is correct, because everyone has an Angel. With every believer in the Lord an Angel constantly abides, unless we drive him away by evil deeds, for just as smoke causes bees to depart and as a foul smell drives away doves, so the stinking and much-tear-causing sin distances the Angel from us. And they expected that it was an Angel, reasoning according to their situation, because it is said: "Where two or three are gathered in My name, there I am in the midst of them" (Matt. 18:20). And where Christ is, there the Archangels and the other powers must necessarily be as well.
"He said: 'Notify James and the brethren about this.'" How free from vainglory he is! He did not say "make it known everywhere," but rather "notify... the brethren."
"He went out and went to another place." This was because he did not want to test God and lead himself into temptations. The Angel did not tell him about this; but by the fact that he left him in silence and led him out of the prison by night, he gave him permission to withdraw, since the apostles had already done what they had been commanded — to go to the temple and preach to the people.
Acts 12:19–20. Now Herod, having searched for him and not finding him, examined the guards and commanded that they be executed. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there. Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon; but they came to him with one accord, and having won over Blastus, the king's chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their country was nourished by the king's country.
For God it was possible to deliver the guards along with Peter.
But if the Angel had led out the soldiers together with Peter, the event would have been considered a flight. And what grieved Herod more was that he had been mocked, just as his grandfather, who was deceived by the Magi, was also more tormented by the fact that he had been deceived.
"Herod was angry with the Tyrians and Sidonians…" Luke mentioned this story, from which it is evident how immediately punishment overtook Herod.
Acts 12:21–24. On an appointed day, Herod, having put on royal apparel, sat on an elevated place and spoke to them; and the people cried out: this is the voice of God, and not of a man. But suddenly an Angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give glory to God; and he, having been eaten by worms, died. And the word of God grew and spread.
Josephus says that Herod, at the arrival of the following day, came to the theater dressed in a royal garment remarkable in its weaving, made entirely of silver. The silver, gleaming at the first fall of sunlight upon it, shone wondrously with a dazzling and awe-striking play of rays of light; and the flatterers immediately began calling him a god, adding: "Be gracious; if until now we feared you as a man, from this time we acknowledge that you are above human nature." Notice how they flattered, but turn your gaze also to the greatness of spirit of the apostles. The one whom an entire people so honored, they despised. However, even if the flatterers cried out thus, what relation does this have to Herod? This: that he accepted this cry, that he considered himself worthy of such flattery. And it was chiefly by him that they were taught such senseless flattery. Thus both he and they deserved punishment, but since it was not yet the time of judgment, only the one who was especially guilty was punished. If he, who merely allowed himself to hear such an opinion about himself — "the voice of a god, and not of a man" — suffered such disgrace, then Christ would have been punished far more if He were not God Himself — Christ, who constantly said: "These words are not Mine" and: "Angels serve Me."
Acts 12:25. And Barnabas and Saul, having fulfilled their commission, returned from Jerusalem [to Antioch], taking with them also John, who was surnamed Mark.
Acts 12:1–5. At that time King Herod laid hands on some who belonged to the church, to do them harm, and killed James, the brother of John, with the sword. And seeing that this was pleasing to the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. Then were the days of unleavened bread. And having arrested him, he put him in prison, and commanded four quaternions of soldiers to guard him, intending after Passover to bring him out to the people. So Peter was kept in prison; meanwhile the church earnestly prayed to God for him.
At what "time" was that? During the reign of Emperor Claudius. For the Roman Emperor Claudius appointed Agrippa as king of the Jews, having banished Herod together with Herodias to Lugdunum, a Galilean city. This is the same Herod under whom John suffered, as Josephus and Eusebius recount. So this discrepancy in the name, that is, Herod being said instead of Agrippa, occurred either because he bore two names, or from a scribal error. Note: of the twelve disciples of the Lord, James was the first to suffer.
"On some of those belonging to the church." Note that he calls the faithful men and the society composed of them the church.
"Seeing that this was pleasing to the Jews, after that he also seized Peter." Lest anyone say that the apostles go to meet death so fearlessly and without trembling because God snatches them from its hands, God also permitted that even the foremost among them—Stephen and James—be put to death. By this God shows the murderers themselves that He does not remove them from this either and does not hinder them here. Murder was a pleasing thing for their misplaced passions, and a lawless murder at that. It was necessary to put an end to their impulse, but Herod, like an executioner of the sick rather than their physician, incites them, though he had seen thousands of examples in the lives of his grandfather and his father Herod.
"Then were the days of unleavened bread… having seized him, he put him in prison." Again the excessive scrupulousness of the Jews is revealed: they did not object to killing him, but they objected to doing it at such a time.
"He commanded four quaternions of soldiers to guard him." This was due both to anger and to fear. The more careful the guard, the more amazing the manifestation of the power of God. And this happened on account of the apostle Peter, who was very well known.
"Meanwhile the church prayed earnestly to God for him." Listen to how they interceded for their teachers: they did not revolt, they did not rebel, but turned to the true ally — prayer.
Acts 12:6–10. Now when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and guards before the door were keeping the prison. And behold, an Angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison. And the Angel, striking Peter on the side, woke him up and said: Arise quickly. And the chains fell off his hands. And the Angel said to him: Gird yourself and put on your sandals. And he did so. Then he said to him: Put on your garment and follow me. And Peter went out and followed him, not knowing that what was being done by the angel was real, but thinking he was seeing a vision. When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and passed through one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.
Peter was neither confused nor afraid, but on that very night, when they intended to bring him out of the prison, he slept, having entrusted everything to the will of the Lord. Pay attention also to how thorough the guard was: the guards slept with him as well.
But why did "a light shine in the prison?" So that Peter could both see and hear the Angel and so that he would not think it was an imagination. The Angel even struck him — so soundly was he sleeping. As for the expression "striking Peter on the side," it indicates not the Angel's confusion, but an urging not to delay.
"Gird yourself and put on your sandals." How is it that Peter acted contrary to the command not to take "neither gold, nor silver, nor copper in your belts, nor a bag for the journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor a staff" (Matt. 10:9–10)? Yet he had both clothing and sandals, although at that time one was supposed to go without sandals, since the particular need for them arises in winter. But Paul too, having written to Timothy, "Make every effort to come before winter," says to him, "When you come, bring the cloak that I left in Troas with Carpus" (2 Tim. 4:13, 21). No one can say that Paul did not have another garment that he wore. They were not acting contrary to Christ's command—God forbid! On the contrary, they were even very much following the command, because that command was given for a time, not forever. Moreover, Luke also says that Christ told the disciples, "When I sent you without a money bag, without a knapsack, and without sandals, did you lack anything?" They answered, "Nothing." Then He said to them, "But now, whoever has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack" (Luke 22:35–36). Christ gave that command at that time wishing to show His power, for tell me, what great matter was it to have only one garment? So then, what of it? When it needed to be washed, was one supposed to go about naked or sit at home? And when severe cold set in and frost contracted the body, was one supposed to warm oneself and not preach? For their bodies were not of adamantine strength.
"Not knowing that what was done by the Angel was real, but thinking that he saw a vision." This is very natural given the astonishing extraordinariness of what had happened, because the extraordinariness of the signs strikes the beholder. Peter thought he was seeing a vision, yet he was girding himself and putting on his sandals. What else could he have felt but amazement?
Acts 12:11–18. Then Peter, coming to himself, said: now I truly know that the Lord has sent His Angel and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting. And having looked around, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was called Mark, where many were gathered together and praying. And when Peter knocked at the gate door, a servant girl named Rhoda came to listen; and recognizing Peter's voice, out of joy she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter was standing at the gate. And they said to her: are you out of your mind? But she kept insisting. And they said: it is his angel. Meanwhile Peter continued knocking. And when they opened, they saw him and were astonished. But he, motioning with his hand for them to be silent, told them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison, and said: report these things to James and to the brethren. Then he departed and went to another place. When day came, there was no small commotion among the soldiers about what had become of Peter.
Now, he says, I knew, "now I see truly," and not then. It was pleasing to the Angel that Peter's heart be filled with joy suddenly and that he understand what had happened only after the deliverance.
"Having looked around." Upon reflection, he saw that he should not simply continue on his way, but rather give thanks to the Benefactor.
"John, who was called Mark." This John was perhaps not the one who constantly remained with the apostles. That is why the writer added his distinguishing name, since he said: "who was called Mark." Perhaps this is Mark the Evangelist, through whom, they say, Peter transmitted his Gospel, since the Gospel of Mark is said to be Peter's Gospel. This supposition is justified by the fact that Peter and the other apostles spent a considerable amount of time at his house.
"From joy she did not open the gate." Notice the reverence of the servant girl: "from joy," it says, "she did not open." But this turned out beautifully, for otherwise the rest, astonished by his unexpected appearance, would perhaps not have believed that it was he, since even as it was they did not want to believe.
"And they said, 'It is his Angel.'" This is correct, because everyone has an Angel. With every believer in the Lord an Angel constantly abides, unless we drive him away by evil deeds, for just as smoke causes bees to depart and as a foul smell drives away doves, so the stinking and much-tear-causing sin distances the Angel from us. And they expected that it was an Angel, reasoning according to their situation, because it is said: "Where two or three are gathered in My name, there I am in the midst of them" (Matt. 18:20). And where Christ is, there the Archangels and the other powers must necessarily be as well.
"He said: 'Notify James and the brethren about this.'" How free from vainglory he is! He did not say "make it known everywhere," but rather "notify... the brethren."
"He went out and went to another place." This was because he did not want to test God and lead himself into temptations. The Angel did not tell him about this; but by the fact that he left him in silence and led him out of the prison by night, he gave him permission to withdraw, since the apostles had already done what they had been commanded — to go to the temple and preach to the people.
Acts 12:19–20. Now Herod, having searched for him and not finding him, examined the guards and commanded that they be executed. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there. Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon; but they came to him with one accord, and having won over Blastus, the king's chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their country was nourished by the king's country.
For God it was possible to deliver the guards along with Peter.
But if the Angel had led out the soldiers together with Peter, the event would have been considered a flight. And what grieved Herod more was that he had been mocked, just as his grandfather, who was deceived by the Magi, was also more tormented by the fact that he had been deceived.
"Herod was angry with the Tyrians and Sidonians…" Luke mentioned this story, from which it is evident how immediately punishment overtook Herod.
Acts 12:21–24. On an appointed day, Herod, having put on royal apparel, sat on an elevated place and spoke to them; and the people cried out: this is the voice of God, and not of a man. But suddenly an Angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give glory to God; and he, having been eaten by worms, died. And the word of God grew and spread.
Josephus says that Herod, at the arrival of the following day, came to the theater dressed in a royal garment remarkable in its weaving, made entirely of silver. The silver, gleaming at the first fall of sunlight upon it, shone wondrously with a dazzling and awe-striking play of rays of light; and the flatterers immediately began calling him a god, adding: "Be gracious; if until now we feared you as a man, from this time we acknowledge that you are above human nature." Notice how they flattered, but turn your gaze also to the greatness of spirit of the apostles. The one whom an entire people so honored, they despised. However, even if the flatterers cried out thus, what relation does this have to Herod? This: that he accepted this cry, that he considered himself worthy of such flattery. And it was chiefly by him that they were taught such senseless flattery. Thus both he and they deserved punishment, but since it was not yet the time of judgment, only the one who was especially guilty was punished. If he, who merely allowed himself to hear such an opinion about himself — "the voice of a god, and not of a man" — suffered such disgrace, then Christ would have been punished far more if He were not God Himself — Christ, who constantly said: "These words are not Mine" and: "Angels serve Me."
Acts 12:25. And Barnabas and Saul, having fulfilled their commission, returned from Jerusalem [to Antioch], taking with them also John, who was surnamed Mark.