22 that arose about Stephen. A. D. 42. *Then tidings of these things A. M. 4046. came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. 23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and "exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. X 24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost, and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. 25 Then departed Barnabas to A. D. 43. Tarsus, for to seek Saul: 1 26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves 1 with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. Chap. ix. 27.—" Chap. xiii. 43; xiv. 22.—————¤ Chap. vi. 5. y Verse 21; Chapter v. 14.— -z Chapter ix. 30.-1 Or, in the church. Verses 19-21. Now they which were scattered the power of his Spirit; was with them—Crowning abroad—Luke here resumes the thread of his narra- their pious labours with success; and a great numtion in the very words wherewith he broke it off, ber-Of the Gentiles, who were before idolaters, were chap. viii. 4; travelled as far as Phenice-To the so effectually enlightened and wrought upon by their north; Cyprus-To the west; and Antioch-To the discourses and miracles, that they believed in the east; preaching the word to none but the Jews only || one living and true God, and in Jesus Christ whom he -Not being at all apprehensive that the Gentiles had sent; and turned unto the Lord-Dedicated themwere to share the blessings of it. And some of them || selves to the service of God through him, with an || —Who bore a part in this work; were men of Cy- || humble dependance on his merits and Spirit. prus-The island so called; and of the province of Verses 22-24. Then tidings of these things came Cyrene in Africa; which when they were come to|| to the church at Jerusalem-And, as they had lately Antioch-Then the capital of Syria, and, next to seen a way opened for the conversion of the GenRome and Alexandria, the most considerable city of|| tiles, they received information of this further prothe empire; spake unto the Grecians-Here, instead gress of the gospel with peculiar pleasure; and sent of E22nvıçaç, Hellenists, the Alexandrian manuscript, forth Barnabas to Antioch—That he might confirm which is favoured by the Syriac, and some other the new converts in the faith into which they had ancient versions, reads Eλλnvas, Greeks; which read- || been initiated: who, when he came—To the city, and ing common sense would require us to adopt, even || had seen-Evident proofs of the grace of God conferif it were not supported by the authority of any manuscript at all; for as the Hellenists were Jews, there would, in the common reading, be no opposition between the conduct of these preachers and those mentioned in the preceding verse. "Here, undoubtedly, we have the first account of the preach-|| ing of the gospel to the idolatrous Gentiles: for it is certain there is nothing in the word rendered Greeks, to limit it to those that were worshippers of the true God, such as all those were to whom it had hitherto been preached; nor is there the least hint in the New Testament of the two different periods that some|| speak of, in the first of which they suppose it was preached only to those called proselytes of the gate, and in the second to those who were before idolaters. It is well known, that as the Greeks were the most celebrated of the Gentile nations near Judea, the Jews called all the Gentiles by that general name." -Doddridge. And the hand of the Lord-That is, || red upon them; was glad-Rejoiced in the good work wrought among them; and exhorted them all that— Whatever circumstances of difficulty and suffering might arise; they would, with purpose of heartWith full determination and constancy; cleave unto the Lord-Adhere to his truth, cause, and people. For he was a good man—A man eminently pious and benevolent; and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith-Largely endowed with the sanctifying graces and extraordinary gifts of the Divine Spirit; and much people-Through his instrumentality; were added unto the Lord-Were converted unto God, and received into the church by baptism. Verses 25, 26. Then departed Barnabas—Namely, after some abode at Antioch, perceiving, probably, that he wanted an assistant in his labours; to Tarsus, to seek Saul-Whose departure thither was mentioned, chap. ix. 30. And finding him there—According to his expectation, he gave him, it seems, which came to pass. A. D. 43. 29 Then the disciples, every man A. M. 4047, according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judea. 30 d Which also they did, and sent A. D. 44. it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. xii. 28; Eph. iv. 11. 26; such an account of the state of things at Antioch, and vants to Alexandria, to buy a great quantity of corn; such a view of the extensive usefulness which ap- and others of them to Cyprus, to buy a cargo of peared to present itself there, that he prevailed with dried fish, which she distributed to those who were him to accompany him at his return to that populous || in want.” And in cap. 5, Josephus further observes, and celebrated city. Probably he judged, that since that this famine took place when Tiberius Alexanhe was by country a Greek, though by descent a || der succeeded Cuspius Fadus as procurator. Hebrew of the Hebrews, he would be peculiarly fit to Verses 29, 30. Then the disciples-Foreseeing the assist him in his great work, especially considering, distress they would otherwise be in, on account of on the one hand, his accomplishments as a scholar, that famine; determined to send relief unto the brethand, on the other, his extraordinary conversion and ren in Judea-Kałws NUTOPELTO TIs, according as each eminent piety and zeal. And, continuing there a was prospered, or, according to the abundance which whole year, they taught much people-Instructed each had; these disciples being, doubtless, some in them in the doctrines, privileges, and duties of Chris- more plentiful circumstances than others. "This tianity. And the disciples were called Christians || their determination was extremely proper; for the first at Antioch--A title that was really an honour || churches of Judea being more exposed than other to them, and by which, from this time, they were churches to persecution, and the rapacity of the Rogenerally denominated, being before termed Naza- man officers, and to those outrages which the popurenes and Galileans. lace, under weak and corrupt governments, commit upon the objects of their hatred, the brethren in Judea could not have supported this dearth, if they had not been assisted from abroad.”—-Macknight. These disciples, therefore, at Antioch, having made collections for them, sent the money, not to the apostles, (for they had now given up the management of the funds of the church in Jerusalem to others,) but to the elders-Or rulers of that church, chosen, perhaps, out of the one hundred and twenty, on whom the Holy Ghost fell at first. And these were to deliver it to the deacons, or otherwise to make distribution thereof to the brethren, according to their need. By sending this seasonable gift to the brethren in Judea, the disciples at Antioch, among whom were many Gentile proselytes, gave proof of the reality of their conversion, and did what they could to conciliate the good-will of the Jewish believers. And this mark of their regard seems to have been well received by them. Verses 27, 28. In these days—While Barnabas and Saul were at Antioch; came prophets thither from Jerusalem-Persons who were divinely inspired to foretel future events. And there stood up-In the || congregation; one of them named Agabus, and sig- || nified-By the immediate direction of the Spirit; that there should be a great dearth—Or famine; || throughout all the world-The expression generally signifies all the Roman empire; but here many learned men suppose it only denotes the land of Judea, which is its meaning in several other places; Which came to pass in the days of Claudius Cesar || -The Roman emperor then reigning. It began, it seems, in the fourth, but raged chiefly in the fifth and sixth years of his reign. It is mentioned by || Josephus, (Antiq., xx. 2,) who speaks of it as a very great famine, in which many died for want of food." "Then Helena, queen of Adiabene, who had embraced the Jewish religion sent some of her ser CHAPTER XII. Here, (1,) Herod, having slain James, seizes Peter and commits him to prison, 1-4. (2,) Prayer is made without ceasing by the church for him, and in answer thereto he is delivered by an angel, to the no small perplexity of his persecutors, 5-19. (3,) Herod, in the midst of his pride and pomp, is struck by an angel, and dies miserably, 20-23. (4,) After his death the gospel has great success, and Paul and Barnabas return to Antioch, 24, 25. Herod murders James, A. M. 4048. 1 A. D. 44. NOW* about that time, Herod the || quaternions of soldiers to keep him; A. M. 4048. king, stretched forth his hands intending after Easter to bring him to vex certain of the church. forth to the people. NOTES ON CHAPTER XII. 5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but 2 prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. 6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains; and the keepers before the door kept the prison. c John xxi. 18.-2 Or, instant and earnest prayer was made, 2 Cor. i. 11; Eph. vi. 18; 1 Thess. v. 17. the door of the prison; intending after Easter-Or, Verses 1, 2. Now about that time—When Saul and rather, after the passover, as μɛta то пασxа signifies, Barnabas were preparing to set out to Jerusalem, to|| and ought, doubtless, to have been translated; (the carry thither what had been collected by the Chris- name Easter not being in use till many centuries tians at Antioch; Herod stretched forth his hands to after this book was written;) to bring him forth to vex certain of the church-So wisely did God mix || the people-To be made a spectacle to them, as his rest and persecution, in due time and measure suc- || Master, Jesus, had been on the first day of unleavenceeding each other. This was Herod Agrippa, as ed bread; for confining him was not all that Herod the Syriac version expressly names him, the former designed. His intention was, after the paschal lamb being his Syrian, and the latter his Roman name. He was eaten, and the seven days' festival quite finished, was the grandson of Herod the Great, nephew to to gratify the people by putting him to death, and Herod Antipas, who beheaded John the Baptist, bro- || that publicly. For, notwithstanding their zeal about ther to Herodias, and father to that Agrippa before rituals, they would submit to be concerned in the whom St. Paul afterward made his defence. Cali- vilest immoralities, and most horrid cruelties, exer|| gula made him king of the tetrarchy of his uncle || Philip, to which he afterward added the territories of Antipas. Claudius made him also king of Judea, and added thereto the dominions of Lysanias. And he killed James the brother of John-Thus was the|| prediction of our Lord fulfilled, that James should | drink of his cup, (Matt. xx. 23,) and thus one of the brothers went to God the first, the other the last of the apostles. It is a just observation of a judicious writer, that "this early execution of one of the apostles, after our Lord's death, would illustrate the courage of the rest in still going on with their ministry, as it would evidently show, that even all their miraculous powers did not secure them from dying by the sword of their enemies." || cised on the servants of God. Verses 5,6. Peter therefore-Till the day of his execution came; was kept in prison-Under the continual guard of the fore-mentioned soldiers. But prayer without ceasing-(The original expression, πρоσεvõη EKTEVηs, signifies, earnest and importunate, as well as continual prayer;) was made of the church for him —That is, for his deliverance, yet when their prayer was answered, they could scarce believe it, verse 15. But why had they not prayed for James's deliverance also? Doubtless because he was put to death as soon as apprehended. And when Herod would have brought him forth-For execution; the same night That is, the night before he had designed to do it; Peter was sleeping-Easy and void of fear; between Verses 3, 4. And because he saw it pleased the|| two soldiers, bound with two chains-It is well Jews-Whose favour he laboured by all possible || known that this way of securing prisoners of consemeans to conciliate; he proceeded to take Peter also- || quence was practised among the Romans, as Grotius Renowned as he was for such a variety of miracles has shown in his note on chap. xxviii. 16. One end wrought by him at Jerusalem. According to Jose- || of one chain was fastened to Peter's right hand, and phus, (Antiq., xix. 7,) this Herod "was a great zea- the other end to the left arm of one of the soldiers; lot for the Mosaic law, dwelt much at Jerusalem, || the other chain was, in like manner, fastened to Peand gladly embraced all opportunities of obliging the|| ter's left arm, and to the soldier's right arm; so that, Jews, as his grandfather Herod did of pleasing humanly speaking, it was impossible he should have strangers ;” a character well suiting what Luke here || risen without immediately awaking them. And the says of him. Then were the days of unleavened keepers before the door-The other two guards, then bread-When the Jews came together to Jerusalem on duty, stood sentry before the prison doors, that from all parts, to celebrate the passover. And he put || there might be no attempt of any kind made to reshim in prison-And, for the greater security of so cue him. So that he was sufficiently secured, to all noted a person, he delivered him to four quater- human appearance. It is likely the Jews rememnions of soldiers-That is, to sixteen, each party bered how all the apostles had escaped, when they consisting of four, who were to watch him day and had formerly put them in prison; and, perhaps, they night by turns, four at a time; two of them being || suspected the fidelity of the guards. It was, therechained to him, and two of them watching before || fore, most probably at their request that such a num وو. Peter delivered out of A. M.4048. d h A. D. 44. 7 And behold, the angel of the || passed on through one street; and A. M. 4048. Lord came upon him, and a light forthwith the angel departed from him. shined in the prison; and he smote Peter on 11 And when Peter was come to himself, he the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. || hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me 8 And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself,|| out of the hand of Herod, and from all the and bind on thy sandals: and so he did. And expectation of the people of the Jews. he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. ber of soldiers were appointed to guard Peter. But || though the persecutors thus showed themselves skilful in taking measures to destroy, they soon found, by || experience, that no device can avail against any whom God is determined to preserve. 12 And when he had considered the thing, k he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together, m praying. 3 13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. 14 And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, i Job v. 19; Psa. xxxiii. 18, 19; xxxiv. 22; xli. 2; xcvii. 10; 2 Cor. i. 10; 2 Pet. ii. 9.- -k Chap. iv. 23.- 1 Chap. xv. 37. m Verse 5.- 3 Or, to ask who was there. tions, but real facts; and when he saw where he was; he said, Now know I of a surety, that the Lord-In whose cause I was upon the point of suffering; hath sent his angel, and delivered meAs he formerly did, chap. v. 19. I know that my deliverance is real and effectual; out of the hand of Herod-Who not only intended my destruction, but thought he had taken effectual measures assuredly to accomplish it; and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews-Who, notwithstanding the many beneficial miracles I have wrought among them, were thirsting for my blood, and waiting impatiently to see me executed. And when he had considered the thing-How imminent his danger was, and how great his deliverance, and now what was best to be done; he came to the house of Mary A friend's house, which, it is likely, was near, and where many, even then, though it was midnight; were gathered together, praying-Doubtless, for his deliverance; God thus answering them while they were yet speaking, and bringing him, for whom they were so much concerned, to the very house in which they were assembled, praying for his release. And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate-Of an outer gate at some distance from the house, designing, it seems, to awaken them out of sleep; a damsel came to hearken-Whether any one knocked, and if so, not to open the door till she knew who was there, a friend or foe, and what his business was at that unseasonable time of the night. This damsel was probably a Christian, and even of some note in the church, as her name is mentioned, and more zealously affected toward the cause of Christ than the generality of her age. And when she knew Peter's voice-Having probably often heard him pray, preach, and discourse; she opened not the gate for gladness-Through surprise and Verses 11-15. When Peter was come to himself an ecstasy of joy. Thus, sometimes, in a transport And perceived that the extraordinary things which of affection toward our friends, we do what is unhad been shown him were not visionary representa- || kind to them; but ran in--Instantly, to the com Verses 7-10. And behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him—Greek, ɛñɛçŋ, stood over him; and a light shined in the prison-Ev тw oiknμarı, in the house, the whole house in which he was confined; and he smote-Greek, taražas, having smote, Peter || on the side-He awoke him; saying, Arise up|| quickly. And, in that moment, his chains-With || which his right arm was bound to one of the soldiers, and his left to the other, fell off-The soldiers, in the mean time, being by a miraculous power kept so fast asleep, that they were not at all alarmed by the noise of their fall. And the angel said, Gird || thyself, &c.—Probably Peter had put off his girdle,|| sandals, and upper garment before he lay down to sleep. And he went out-Of the prison, as he was guided by the angel, meeting with no opposition in || his way; and wist not-That what appeared to him to be done was real, but supposed that he was in a || dream, or saw a vision. When they were past the first and second ward—At each of which, doubt-|| less, was a guard of soldiers, who, however, were all asleep; they came unto the iron gate leading into the city—Which, though a heavy gate, and very strongly fastened, yet was no hinderance in their way; but opened of its own accord-Without || Peter or the angel touching it. And they passed || on through one street-That Peter might know which way to go. And forthwith the angel-Having done all that was requisite for his deliverance, and set him at full liberty; departed from himPeter being himself sufficient for what remained to be done. Peter restored A. D. 44. THE ACTS. A. D. 44. to his friends. A. M. 4048. and told how Peter stood before the || son. And he said, Go show these things A. M. 4048. gate. unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place. 18 Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter. 15 And they said unto her, Thou art mad. || But she constantly affirmed that it was even SO. Then said they, "It is his angel. 16 But Peter continued knocking. And when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished. ° 19 And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judea to Cesarea, and 17 But he beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them || how the Lord had brought him out of the pri- || there abode. n Gen. xlviii. 16; Matt. xviii. 10. Chap. xiii. 16; xix. 33; xxi. 40. pany that were assembled in the house; and told God for this great deliverance, and consider it as that Peter stood before the gate-As she certainly || laying a further obligation upon them to serve him believed, though she had not had courage or pre- with still greater zeal and fidelity. And he departed sence of mind to open the gate. And they said, thence to another place--Where he might be betThou art mad—Surely thou art out of thy senses, ter concealed till the rage of persecution was to imagine so incredible and impossible a thing, for|| abated. Peter is undoubtedly in prison, strongly guarded. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so— Persisted in it, that she was sure she had heard his || voice. Then said they, It is his angel--His guar- | dian angel, who has assumed his form, and imitates his voice, to bring us some tidings of him. It was a common opinion among the Jews, that every man had his particular guardian angel, who frequently || assumed both his shape and voice: and Philo speaks of it as also a received notion among the Jews, that the souls of good men deceased officiate as ministering spirits. But these are points on which the Scriptures are silent. And whatever the notion of the Jews was concerning them, no argument can be drawn from it, as to the truth of either of those suppositions. Verses 18, 19. As soon as it was day--And they found their prisoner escaped; there was no small stir [Greek, rapaɣos 8k olɩyos, not a little tumult, or confusion] among the soldiers, what was become of Peter-Who was gone, and nobody knew how or which way. For the guards, awaking out of their sound sleep, could none of them give any account of what had passed, and were ready to suspect or accuse each other of negligence or treachery, in giving the prisoner an opportunity to make his escape. And indeed it was very fatal to them that he had escaped; for, when Herod had sought for him-Wherever there was any probability of his being concealed; and found him not, he examined the keepers-As strictly as possible, or rather, questioned them in a judicial manner; and as he could Verses 16, 17. But Peter continued knocking--| make nothing out by his inquiry, save that the priThough they delayed to open to him; and when--|| soner was gone while they slept; and as he thought At length, several of them, it seems, going out to- it by no means prudent to give any intimation that gether; they had opened the door, and saw him--|| a miraculous interposition had taken place, in favour That it really was he; they were astonished--Were || of a man whom he had devoted to destruction; he filled with wonder and joy, as much as they were || commanded that they should be put to death— just before with sorrow and fear concerning him. Greek, anаxonvai, led away to execution, for their But beckoning unto them (many of whom, being negligence. He probably used this severity for anamazed, were talking together) to hold their peace other reason also, namely, lest if any apprehension -That they might hear him relate in what an ex- of a miraculous deliverance should prevail, (an aptraordinary manner he had been delivered; he de- prehension to which what had happened to all the clared unto them how the Lord had-By the min- apostles some time before could not but give counistry of an angel; brought him out of prison.-And tenance: see chap. v. 19,) Christianity should thereit is probable, that, having found them praying for by gain additional strength. Be this as it may, unhis deliverance, he did not part with them till he doubtedly this seasonable interposition of Proviand they had solemnly given God thanks together dence in its favour, contributed greatly to its further for so wonderfully answering their prayers. And progress; as, it seems, it also, together with the he said, Go show these things unto James-The death of Herod, which took place soon after, put a brother, or kinsman, of our Lord, and author of the speedy end to this persecution. And he went down epistle that bears his name. He appears to have from Judea to Cesarea-With shame, for not been a person of considerable weight and import- || having brought forth Peter, according to his proance, probably the chief overseer of the Christian mise; and abode there-Till, in the midst of all his societies of that province, and of the church in Je- || pride and glory, the judgment of God overtook him, rusalem in particular. And to the brethren--Namely, || and avenged the death of James, and the intended The other disciples, that they might join in praising || murder of Peter, in a most awful manner. Thus |