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Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

CHAPTER TWELVE:
PERSECUTION AND A MISSIONARY TOUR

[“Peter in Prison”]
Key word: Angel

Acts 12:1-5 – James Killed and Peter Jailed [Spring 44 AD]

AC12:1 During this period king Herod 469 began to violently attack some in the Church.

469	King Herod: It is thought by some that Herod Agrippa I died in 44 AD. On the family of Herod, titular rulers over Israel, Josephus discusses in detail.

AC12:2 He killed with the sword [the apostle] James 470 the brother of [the apostle] John.

470	He killed with the sword [the apostle] James: The first apostle is martyred. It is interesting to note that nothing is said about a replacement at this time. So the apostles now were no longer Twelve, but eleven.

AC12:3 Now seeing this was agreeable to the Jews, he proceeded to arrest also Peter – now this was during the festival days of Unleavened Bread – AC12:4 and put him in jail. [King Herod] put Peter in the custody of four squads of four soldiers each to guard him. He intended to bring Peter before the Jewish people after the Passover. 471

471	Passover: Thus it was spring [March/April], 44 AD.

AC12:5 For this reason Peter was kept in jail. However, the Church of The God continued to earnestly pray for Peter.

Acts 12:6-11 – Peter Freed from Prison

AC12:6 Now when the time was near to lead him out [to the Jews], Herod had Peter bound with two chains 472 and was made to sleep between two soldiers. There were also guards before the door and were keeping watch over the jail.

472	Peter bound with two chains: The description of the lengths Herod went to in order to secure Peter indicates they believed there was no chance he could get free.

AC12:7 And, behold, YHWH’s angel 473 approached and shining light filled the whole room. 474 Then [the angel] kicked Peter in the side 475 and raised him up, saying: “Get up now!” The chains binding Peter’s hands fell off.

473	YHWH’s angel: Or, [an] angel of [the] Lord. It is possibly a Hebraism and the Greek allows for YHWH here.

474	Shining light filled the whole room: Or, NEB: the cell was ablaze with light. And yet the two guards chained to Peter remained asleep,

475	Kicked Peter in the side: Or, smote, touching, tapped. It is interesting to see how interpretative paraphrase is found in other versions. The Greek is PATAXAS [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #3960, trample].

AC12:8 Then the angel said to Peter: “Buckle up and put on your sandals.” And he did so. Then the angel said to Peter: “Put on your garment and follow me.” AC12:9 And as they left, Peter was following the angel and he did not know whether something real was happening with the angel. He thought he was seeing a vision. AC12:10 Then they went past the first guard and then the second, and as they came to the iron gate leading into the city it opened by itself before them. Now as they left and went down one street, instantly the angel left him. AC12:11 Then, all by himself Peter continued on his way, and said: “Now I surely know that the Master sent forth his angel and delivered me from the hand of Herod, and thus from all what the [Jewish] people expected.”

Acts 12:12-17 – Peter Relates His Experience

AC12:12 Now as soon as Peter realized [what had happened] he arrived at the house of Mary, 476 the mother of John Mark. 477 There were many assembled there for prayer.

476	House of Mary: Likely the aunt of Barnabas and a widow of some means as her home was large enough to accommodate many disciples. Some think this the same place where Jesus observed the Last Passover.

477

John Mark: Or, John the one called Mark. “Mark” will become his prominent name. He travels with Paul on the first missionary tour. He is mentioned later as Peter’s spiritual “son” [1 Peter 5:13] and Paul writes that “he is good at serving.” Some think him the young lad who fled at Mark 14:51, 52. He was the cousin of Barnabas. Compare Colossians 4:10; 2 Timothy 4:11; Philemon 23,24. He is thought by most as the writer or secretary regarding the Gospel of Mark written between 60-65. Some believe it the first Gospel. Others that the Gospel was actually Peter’s and that Mark was the secretary. We will follow his life throughout about 20 years or more.

AC12:13 When Peter knocked on the door of the gate, a servant girl Rhoda 478 heard it and came to the gate.

478	A servant girl Rhoda: Likely indicating other servants and that this Mary was a person of means. Her name means “Rose.” It should be noted that Christians had servants or slaves at this time.

AC12:14 But recognizing Peter’s voice she ran back inside and out of sheer joy reported that Peter was standing at the gate. AC12:15 But those there with her said: “You are crazy!” However, she kept insisting it to be so. They all said: “It is his angel!” 479

479	It is his angel: This may be a joking sarcasm aimed at the servant-girl. However, some believe it indicates a “guardian angel” has been assigned to each Saint. Compare Hebrews 1:14.

AC12:16 Now Peter kept knocking, and when they opened the gate they saw him and were astonished. AC12:17 Her motioned to them with his hand to be silent and then told them how the Master led him out from the jail. He told them: “Report to James and the brothers 480 what has happened.” And then he left to another place.

480

Report to James and the brothers: This is the first indication that the apostles are no longer prominent in the leadership. James, the brother of Christ [writer of James], is now the presiding elder of the Jerusalem congregation. Compare Acts 15:13; 21:18; 1 Corinthians 15:7; Galatians 1:19; 2:9, 12; James 1:1. He was likely married, [1 Corinthians 9:5] Josephus mentions him and his death about 62 AD: “[The high priest Ananus]… convened the judges of the Sanhedrin and brought before them a man named James, the brother of Jesus who was called the Christ, and certain others. He accused them of having transgressed the law and delivered them up to be stoned.” [Jewish Antiquities, XX, 200 (ix, 1)] Compare Acts 1:13, 14.

Acts 12:18-23 – Herod’s Experience

AC12:18 Now in the morning there was considerable commotion among the soldiers regarding what happened to Peter. AC12:19 So when Herod searched for Peter and did not find him, he questioned the guards, and then commanded them to be taken away [to death]. Then he left, and descending from Judea, he remained in Caesarea. 481

481	Caesarea: See notes elsewhere.

AC12:20 He was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. So they approached him as one, and winning over Blastus, 482 the person over the king’s bedroom, they requested peace, because their country depended on the king’s country for food. 483

482	Winning over Blastus: Possibly by bribing him.

483	Depended on the king’s country for food: Likely because of the famine mentioned earlier.

AC12:21 Now on an appointed day, Herod dressed in royal garb, sat down on the judgment-seat. He began to deliver a public address to them. AC12:22 Then the crowd was shouting, “The voice of a god 484 and not a human!”

484	The voice of a god: Or, “God’s voice.” THEOU [of god] is without the article.

AC12:23 Instantly YHWH’s angel 485 struck Herod because he did not give glory to God. He was eaten by worms and died.

485	YHWH’s angel: Or, [an] angel of [the] Lord. It is likely a Hebraism and may have included the Tetragram. See notes elsewhere.

Acts 12:24-25 – The First Missionary Tour

AC12:24 Now the Word of The God continued to grow and increase. 486

486	Continued to grow and increase: It is possible considerable time is covered here.

AC12:25 Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem having fulfilled their [charitable] service. They had brought with them John Mark.

Review Questions on Chapter Twelve