Atos 12

Theophylact of Ohrid

Atos 12:1

At what "time" was that? During the reign of Emperor Claudius. For the Roman Emperor Claudius appointed Agrippa as king of the Jews, having banished Herod together with Herodias to Lugdunum, a Galilean city. This is the same Herod under whom John suffered, as Josephus and Eusebius recount. So this discrepancy in the name, that is, Herod being said instead of Agrippa, occurred either because he bore two names, or from a scribal error. "On some of those belonging to the church." Note that he calls the faithful men and the society composed of them the church. — Commentary on Acts

Atos 12:2

Of the twelve disciples of the Lord, James was the first to suffer. Lest anyone say that the apostles go to meet death so fearlessly and without trembling because God snatches them from its hands, God also permitted that even the foremost among them—Stephen and James—be put to death. By this God shows the murderers themselves that He does not remove them from this either and does not hinder them here. Murder was a pleasing thing for their misplaced passions, and a lawless murder at that. It was necessary to put an end to their impulse, but Herod, like an executioner of the sick rather than their physician, incites them, though he had seen thousands of examples in the lives of his grandfather and his father Herod. — Commentary on Acts

Atos 12:3

Again the excessive scrupulousness of the Jews is revealed: they did not object to killing him, but they objected to doing it at such a time. — Commentary on Acts

Atos 12:4

He commanded four quaternions of soldiers to guard him. This was due both to anger and to fear. The more careful the guard, the more amazing the manifestation of the power of God. And this happened on account of the apostle Peter, who was very well known. — Commentary on Acts

Atos 12:5

Listen to how they interceded for their teachers: they did not revolt, they did not rebel, but turned to the true ally — prayer. — Commentary on Acts

Atos 12:6

Peter was neither confused nor afraid, but on that very night, when they intended to bring him out of the prison, he slept, having entrusted everything to the will of the Lord. Pay attention also to how thorough the guard was: the guards slept with him as well. — Commentary on Acts

Atos 12:7

But why did a light shine in the prison? So that Peter could both see and hear the Angel and so that he would not think it was an imagination. The Angel even struck him — so soundly was he sleeping. As for the expression "striking Peter on the side," it indicates not the Angel's confusion, but an urging not to delay. — Commentary on Acts

Atos 12:8

How is it that Peter acted contrary to the command not to take "neither gold, nor silver, nor copper in your belts, nor a bag for the journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor a staff" (Matt. 10:9–10)? Yet he had both clothing and sandals, although at that time one was supposed to go without sandals, since the particular need for them arises in winter. But Paul too, having written to Timothy, "Make every effort to come before winter," says to him, "When you come, bring the cloak that I left in Troas with Carpus" (2 Tim. 4:13, 21). No one can say that Paul did not have another garment that he wore. They were not acting contrary to Christ's command—God forbid! On the contrary, they were even very much following the command, because that command was given for a time, not forever. Moreover, Luke also says that Christ told the disciples, "When I sent you without a money bag, without a knapsack, and without sandals, did you lack anything?" They answered, "Nothing." Then He said to them, "But now, whoever has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack" (Luke 22:35–36). Christ gave that command at that time wishing to show His power, for tell me, what great matter was it to have only one garment? So then, what of it? When it needed to be washed, was one supposed to go about naked or sit at home? And when severe cold set in and frost contracted the body, was one supposed to warm oneself and not preach? For their bodies were not of adamantine strength. — Commentary on Acts

Atos 12:9

This is very natural given the astonishing extraordinariness of what had happened, because the extraordinariness of the signs strikes the beholder. Peter thought he was seeing a vision, yet he was girding himself and putting on his sandals. What else could he have felt but amazement? — Commentary on Acts

Atos 12:11

Now, he says, I knew, "now I see truly," and not then. It was pleasing to the Angel that Peter's heart be filled with joy suddenly and that he understand what had happened only after the deliverance. — Commentary on Acts

Atos 12:12

Upon reflection, he saw that he should not simply continue on his way, but rather give thanks to the Benefactor. This John was perhaps not the one who constantly remained with the apostles. That is why the writer added his distinguishing name, since he said: "who was called Mark." Perhaps this is Mark the Evangelist, through whom, they say, Peter transmitted his Gospel, since the Gospel of Mark is said to be Peter's Gospel. This supposition is justified by the fact that Peter and the other apostles spent a considerable amount of time at his house. — Commentary on Acts

Atos 12:14

Notice the reverence of the servant girl: "from joy," it says, "she did not open." But this turned out beautifully, for otherwise the rest, astonished by his unexpected appearance, would perhaps not have believed that it was he, since even as it was they did not want to believe. — Commentary on Acts

Atos 12:15

This is correct, because everyone has an Angel. With every believer in the Lord an Angel constantly abides, unless we drive him away by evil deeds, for just as smoke causes bees to depart and as a foul smell drives away doves, so the stinking and much-tear-causing sin distances the Angel from us. And they expected that it was an Angel, reasoning according to their situation, because it is said: "Where two or three are gathered in My name, there I am in the midst of them" (Matt. 18:20). And where Christ is, there the Archangels and the other powers must necessarily be as well. — Commentary on Acts

Atos 12:17

How free from vainglory he is! He did not say "make it known everywhere," but rather "notify... the brethren." He went out and went to another place because he did not want to test God and lead himself into temptations. The Angel did not tell him about this; but by the fact that he left him in silence and led him out of the prison by night, he gave him permission to withdraw, since the apostles had already done what they had been commanded — to go to the temple and preach to the people. — Commentary on Acts

Atos 12:19

For God it was possible to deliver the guards along with Peter. But if the Angel had led out the soldiers together with Peter, the event would have been considered a flight. And what grieved Herod more was that he had been mocked, just as his grandfather, who was deceived by the Magi, was also more tormented by the fact that he had been deceived. — Commentary on Acts

Atos 12:20

Luke mentioned this story, from which it is evident how immediately punishment overtook Herod. — Commentary on Acts

Atos 12:21

Atos 12:22

The flatterers immediately began calling him a god, adding: "Be gracious; if until now we feared you as a man, from this time we acknowledge that you are above human nature." Notice how they flattered, but turn your gaze also to the greatness of spirit of the apostles. The one whom an entire people so honored, they despised. — Commentary on Acts

Atos 12:23

Josephus says that Herod, at the arrival of the following day, came to the theater dressed in a royal garment remarkable in its weaving, made entirely of silver. The silver, gleaming at the first fall of sunlight upon it, shone wondrously with a dazzling and awe-striking play of rays of light; and the flatterers immediately began calling him a god, adding: "Be gracious; if until now we feared you as a man, from this time we acknowledge that you are above human nature." Notice how they flattered, but turn your gaze also to the greatness of spirit of the apostles. The one whom an entire people so honored, they despised. However, even if the flatterers cried out thus, what relation does this have to Herod? This: that he accepted this cry, that he considered himself worthy of such flattery. And it was chiefly by him that they were taught such senseless flattery. Thus both he and they deserved punishment, but since it was not yet the time of judgment, only the one who was especially guilty was punished. If he, who merely allowed himself to hear such an opinion about himself — "the voice of a god, and not of a man" — suffered such disgrace, then Christ would have been punished far more if He were not God Himself — Christ, who constantly said: "These words are not Mine" and: "Angels serve Me." — Commentary on Acts