5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. Ver. 5. Earnest prayer was made ] Oratio sine malis, est ut avis sine alis. These good souls strained and stretched out themselves in prayer εκτενης , as men do that are running in a race, Puriores coelo afflictione facti, as Chrysostom saith of them. read more
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. Ver. 6. Peter was sleeping ] As having cast himself into God’s everlasting arms. So did David, Psalms 3:5 . So did Mr Rogers, our protomartyr in Queen Mary’s days, when he was warned suddenly to prepare for the fire, he then being found asleep, scarcely with much shogging could be awakened; at length being raised and... read more
7 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. Ver. 7. And a light shined in the prison ] Gr. εν τω οικηματι , in the habitacle or conclave. So Solon first called the prison at Athens. So Petronius told Csesar he had rather be with Cato εν οικηματι , in the prison house, than with him in the senate house. And he smote Peter on the... read more
8 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. Ver. 8. And follow me ] See here how by degrees (and not all at once) God oftentimes sendeth forth his prisoners (his afflicted ones) out of the pit wherein is no water, Zechariah 9:11 . He is a "God of judgment," and waits a fit time to deal forth his favours, Isaiah 30:18 ; he crumbles his mercies, as the cloud dissolves drops rain upon the... read more
9 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. Ver. 9. And wist not that it was true ] So Psalms 126:1 . God is often better to his than their hopes, and doth exceeding abundantly for them above all that they can ask or think, Ephesians 3:20 . He will do so much more when they come to heaven; for then, oh, the unutterable ecstasies! At first sight, surely " Claudicat ingenium, delirat linguaque, mensque. " Lucret. read more
10 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. Ver. 10. When they were passed ] God could have delivered him all at once; but he knew that cito data cito vilescunt, Lightly come by is lightly set by. He would have us also to weigh well the several passages and circumstances of our deliverance,... read more
11 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. Ver. 11. Now I know of a surety ] Faith cannot he idle, or ungrateful for benefits received. If Peter have none else to tell it to, he will tell himself what God had done for him by his angel; and what great cause he had to be really and substantially thankful. So doth David, Psalms... read more
12 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. Ver. 12. Where many were gathered together praying ] Great is the force of joint prayer, when Christians set upon God quasi manu facta, as in Tertulllan’s time, they sacked and ransacked heaven by their prayers. Preces fundimus, caelum tundimus, misericordiam extorquemus, saith he. We beseech not God only, but we besiege him too; we... read more
13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. Ver. 13. To hearken ] Before she opened, lest some pursuivant or such like evil angel at that time of the night should have haunted them. Opposition is Evangelii genius, the life of the church, saith Calvin, Piety is no target against persecution. read more
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John Trapp Complete Commentary - Acts 12:4
4 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. Ver. 4. To bring him forth to the people ] But God had otherwise determined. Sciat Cels. Vestra, saith Luther in a letter to the Elector of Saxony, et nihil dubitet longe aliter in caelo quam Norimbergae de hoc negotio conclusum esse, i.e. God in heaven hath decreed otherwise of this business than the emperor hath... read more