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| 1 In that and the season put forth Herod the king the hands, to afflict some of the from of the congregation, |
About that time – Supposed to date about twelve years after our Lord's crucifixion. R4346:2
Herod – A descendant of Esau. R3003:1
Herod Agrippa I, grandson of the Herod who murdered the babes in Bethlehem. Herod was a family name. R3002:3, 4346:2, 2139:3
Nephew of Herod Antipas who murdered John the Baptist. R2139:3, 4346:2, 3002:3
The king – Of Judea. R4346:2
Vex certain of the church – Imprisoned the King's messengers. R2301:3
The eleven bravely stood their ground, knowing others would look to them for encouragement. F230; R1523:6
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| 2 he killed and James, the brother of John, with a sword. |
He killed James – Not all of God's servants will be miraculously delivered. R1455:2
In the majority of cases the Church's experiences are far more like James' than like Peter's. R3004:2
He was a leader amongst the apostles and was beheaded. The Lord could accomplish more by his death, than by keeping him alive. R4347:4, 2139:5, 3003:1
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| 3 And having seen, that pleasing it is to the Jews, he proceeded to take also Peter; (they were and the days of the unleavened cakes); |
Pleased the Jews – The same spirit of murder. R2139:6
Even at cost of principle. R4346:3, 3896:1
To take Peter also – Who would not flee, because he knew at this trying time the Church abroad would look to them at Jerusalem for encouragement and help. F230, F231
Unleavened bread – According to Jewish custom no one could be put to death during that week. R2139:5
Trusting to the sacredness of the Passover season, Peter ventured forth. R4346:3
Each Memorial season is a time for special trial and testing. We recommend alertness be exercised during the forty days preceding the Memorial Supper. R4346:5,6
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| 4 whom also having seized he placed into a prison, having delivered to four sets of four soldiers to watch him, intending after the passover to lead out him to the people. |
Apprehended him – The Greek implies that his arrest was after searching. R4346:3, 3003:2
The time of his arrest was too close to the festival to permit his execution. R3003:3
In prison – Probably the Castle of Antonio; possibly where Jesus was arraigned before Pilate, and where Paul was later taken. R4346:6, 3003:5, 2140:1
Four quaternions – Four shifts of four soldiers each; two chained to the prisoner, the third was outside the door and the fourth in the passage leading to the outer iron gate. R3003:2, 4347:1, 2140:1
Easter – Should be rendered "Passover." Estera, from which Easter comes, was a Saxon goddess of the East. The name was adopted from the heathen. F479, F482; R5191:6, 3003:3, 2271:3, 1631:3, 1290:1
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| 5 The indeed therefore Peter was watched by the guard; prayer but was earnest was made by the congregation to the God in behalf of him. |
Without ceasing – Lesson of importunity; examples given in the Scriptures fully warranted the all-night prayer meeting. R4347:2
Of the church – Frequent mention is made of the Church gathering for prayer. R2023:3
For him – It was not proper for him to pray for deliverance for himself; he had consecrated his life unto death. His friends were praying for him. R4347:1, 3003:3
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| 6 When but was about him to bring before the Herod, in the night that was the Peter sleeping between two soldiers, having been bound with chains two, guards and before the door watching the prison. |
Peter was sleeping – He trusted in divine wisdom, power and love. R2140:2
The power of divine grace helping in time of need (Heb. 4:16) gave him peace. R4347:1
His heart filled with the peace of God which passeth all understanding. (Phil. 4:7) And, "He giveth his belove 127:2 R3003:4
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| 7 And lo, a messenger of Lord stood by, and a light shone in the building; having struck and the side of the Peter, aroused him, saying: Arise in haste. And fell off of him the chains from the hands. |
Behold, the angel – Appeared personally; non-personal instructions are properly described as from or by the Lord's holy Spirit. E277; R265:3
"Ministering spirits sent forth to minister." (Heb. 1:10) R3004:2
Angels are not permitted to materialize now. R4347:5
Of the Lord – A lesson of God's power to help his servants. R1455:2
A light shined – So that the Apostle might know that his deliverer, with radiant features, was a holy being. R4347:5
Chains fell off – God sometimes grants his "new creatures" special favors of an earthly sort, even though they do not ask for them. R2009:2
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| 8 Said and the messenger to him: Grid thyself, and bind under the sandals of thee. He did and so. And he says to him: Throw around the mantle of thee, and follow me. |
Gird thyself – Whatever he could do, he was required to do; the angel did only what Peter could not do. R4347:5, 3003:5
Similarly today, it is ours to do everything within our power. R4347:6
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| 9 And having gone out he followed him, and not knew, that real it is that being done through the messenger, thought but a vision to see. |
He went out – Between three and six in the morning; he was not missed until sunrise, when the guards were changed. R4347:5, 2139:6, 3003:6
Thought he saw a vision – Expecting that he would awaken shortly to find himself still bound. R3003:5
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| 10 Passing through and first guard and second, they came to the gate the iron that leading into the city, which self-moved opened to them; and having gone out went forward street one, and immediately stood the messenger from him. |
His own accord – What is contrary to physical law, is called miraculous; but may be in accordance with the laws of spiritual life. HG29:5; R265:2
Angel departed – Having accomplished his mission. R2140:3
Having simply done for Peter what he could not have done for himself. R303:5, 2009:2
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| 11 And the Peter having come in to himself, said: Now I know really, that sent forth Lord the messenger of himself, and delivered me out of hand of Herod, and all the expectation of the people of the Jews. |
Come to himself – Realized the facts of the case, that he was free. R4347:6
Hath delivered me – The Lord preserved Peter because he had a special work for him to do. R4347:4
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| 12 Considering and he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, that being surnamed Mark, where were many assembled and were praying. |
The house of Mary – An intimation that this piece of property was not put into the common fund. R2932:3
The congregations of the primitive Church were small and usually met in private houses. R2941:6, 3003:3
In the public assembly of the saints. R3698:5
John – The writer of the Gospel of Mark, cousin of Barnabas, and son of one of the Marys at Jerusalem. R3006:3, 3003:6, 4347:2
Nephew of Barnabas. R2141:2
Surname was Mark – Latin, Marcus. R3003:6
Gathered together – A great blessing and strengthening of their faith. Q542:1
Praying – They were kept up all night, evidently for the entire week of Peter's imprisonment. R2139:6, 4347:2; Q541:3
The Lord intended a deliverance for St. Peter, but allowed it to come about as a reward of faith of those praying for him. R4347:3
Is indispensable to Christian life; it means a living and a growing faith. R2692:1
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| 13 Having knocked and him the door of the gateway, came a female servant to listen, by name Rhoda; |
Door of the gate – Implying that it was a better class house. R4347:6
Rhoda – Little rose. R4347:6, 3003:6
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| 14 and knowing the voice of the Peter, from the joy not she opened the gate; having run in and told, to have stood the Peter before the gate. |
Knew Peter's voice – It was customary to make inquiries before opening the door. R3003:6
Opened not the gate – Neglected to open the door. R3003:6, 4347:6
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| 15 They but to her said: Thou art mad. She but confidently affirmed thus to be. |
It is his angel – His representative, come in answer to our prayers to God for consolation; one of the "ministering spirits sent forth to minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation." (Heb. 1:14) R3004:2, 4348:1, 2140:5
They might of thought this was an impersonation. Q20:2
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| 16 They and said: The messenger of him it is. The but Peter continued knocking; having opened and they saw him, and were amazed. |
And saw him – The answer to their prayers. R2140:4, 3004:2
They were astonished – Were surprised at the Lord's answer to their petitions. R4348:1
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| 17 Having waved but to them the hand to be silent, he related to them, how the Lord him led out of the prison. Said and: Report you to James and to the brethren these things. And going out he went into another place. |
Beckoning unto them – There was an outburst of excitement and questions which the Apostle was obliged to silence by the shaking of his hands. R4348:1
Unto James – The Lord's brother or second cousin. R3004:3, 4348:1, 2140:4
And to the brethren – The leaders of the cause in the city. R2140:4
He departed – Left the city, in accordance with the Lord's instructions to flee when persecuted. (Matt. 10:23) R3004:3, 2140:4
Into another place – Whether to another city or another house, we do not know. R4348:1
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| 18 Having become and day, was a stir not small among the soldiers, what then the Peter was become. |
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| 19 Herod and having sought him, and not having found, having examined the guards, commanded to be led off; and going down from the Judea into the Caesarea he remained. |
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| 20 He was and being enraged with Tyrians and Sidonians; with one mind but was present with him, and having persuaded Blastus, that over the bed-chamber of the king, desired peace; because that to be nourished of them the country from of the king. |
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| 21 On a set and day the Herod having put on apparel royal, and having sat down on the throne, made a speech to them. |
Upon a set day – Feast of Tabernacles, 41 AD. R3002:3
Made an oration – Read the whole Book of Deuteronomy. R3002:3
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| 22 The but people shouted: Of a god voice, and not of a man. |
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| 23 Immediately and struck him a messenger of Lord, because not he gave glory to the God; and being eaten of worms, he breathed out. |
Eaten of worms – Disease of intestinal worms. Within a month he died. R4348:1, 3002:6
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| 24 The and word of the God grew and was multiplied. |
The word of God grew – This chapter shows the power of Satan, the power of God, and the power of prayer. R4348:5
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| 25 Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, having fulfilled the service, having brought along also John that having been surnamed Mark. |
Barnabas – A disciple named Joseph. Name change to Barnabas. R4357:1
John whose surname was Mark – The writer of the Gospel of Mark, cousin of Barnabas, and son of one of the Marys at Jerusalem. R3006:3, 3003:6
Nephew of Barnabas. R2141:2
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