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Selected Verse: Acts 12:7 - King James
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Ac 12:7 |
King James |
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. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
the angel of the Lord--rather, "an angel."
came upon him--so in Luk 2:9, expressive of the unexpected nature of the visit.
smote Peter on the side . . . Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off . . . Gird thyself . . . And so he did . . . Cast thy garment--tunic, which he had thrown off for the night. |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
And, behold, the angel of the Lord - See the notes on Act 5:19.
Came upon him - Greek: was present with him; stood near him ἐπέστη epestē.
And a light shined in the prison - Many have supposed that this was lightning. But light, and splendor, and shining apparel are commonly represented as the accompaniments of the heavenly beings when they visit the earth, Luk 2:9; Luk 24:4; compare Mar 9:3. It is highly probable that this light was discerned only by Peter; and it would be to him an undoubted proof of the divine interposition in his behalf.
And he smote Peter on the side - This was, doubtless, a gentle blow or stroke to arouse him from sleep.
And his chains ... - This could have been only by divine power. No natural means were used, or could have been used without arousing the guard. It is a sublime expression of the ease with which God can deliver from danger, and rescue his friends. Compare Act 16:26. |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
Came upon (ἐπέστη)
Better, as Rev., stood by. See on Act 4:1; and compare Luk 2:9.
Prison (οἰκήματι)
Not the prison, but the cell where Peter was confined. So, rightly, Rev. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| His chains - With which his right arm was bound to one of the soldiers, and his left arm to the other. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
Smote Peter on the side - He struck him in such a way as was just sufficient to awake him from his sleep.
His chains fell off from his hands - The chains mentioned above, by which he was bound to the two soldiers. |
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.
3 And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.
4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
19 But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
1 And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,