Mark's mother was evidently a woman of property, as her house was large enough to receive the many who felt that prayer was the key to open Peter's prison. Rhoda is Rose. Her portrait has charmed every generation. It is so lifelike and natural. How good for every servant-maid to love the devotional meeting, and to be welcomed to it! Christianity had introduced a new spirit into the world. How often our deliverances seem too good to be true! These praying friends of Peter would not believe the maid, though she told them that their prayers were answered. This proves that while their faith was very imperfect, their request was granted. When we believe not, God remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself, 2 Timothy 2:13. The James mentioned in Acts 12:17 was the brother of our Lord, and afterward head of the church in Jerusalem, Acts 15:13. See James 1:1.
What a contrast between Peter's deliverance and Herod's death! Be not afraid of the reproach of men, for "the moth shall eat them up like a garment," Isaiah 51:8. During these happenings Paul and Barnabas were in Jerusalem, and in after years their minds must often have reverted to them. Probably Paul's remembrance of this incident inspired his constant request for prayer in his own behalf, Ephesians 6:18-20.
For Review Questions, see the e-Sword Book Comments. [source]
Chapter Summary: Acts 12
1King Herod persecutes the Christians, kills James, and imprisons Peter; 6whom an angel delivers upon the prayers of the church 20Herod in his pride taking to himself the honor due to God, 23is stricken by an angel, and dies miserably 24After his death, the word of God prospers 25Saul and Barnabas return to Antioch
Greek Commentary for Acts 12:22
Shouted [επεπωνει] Imperfect active, kept on shouting, calling out to him. Old verb, but only four times in the N.T. and all by Luke. The heathen crowd (δημος dēmos) repeated their flattering adulation to gain Herod‘s favour. [source]
The voice of a god [τεου πωνη] In the pagan sense of emperor worship, not as the Supreme Being. But it was pleasing to Herod Agrippa‘s vanity. [source]
The people [δῆμος] The assembled people. [source]
A god [] As most of the assembly were heathen, the word does not refer to the Supreme Being, but is to be taken in the pagan sense - a god. [source]
Acts 21:34Some shouting one thing, some another [αλλοι αλλο τι επεπωνουν] Same idiom of αλλοι αλλο alloi allo as in Acts 19:32 which see. The imperfect of επιπωνεω epiphōneō to call out to, suits well the idiom. This old verb occurs in the N.T. only in Luke and Acts (already in Acts 12:22). [source]
What do the individual words in Acts 12:22 mean?
-Andthe peoplewere crying outOf a god[this is the] voiceandnotof a man
Greek Commentary for Acts 12:22
Imperfect active, kept on shouting, calling out to him. Old verb, but only four times in the N.T. and all by Luke. The heathen crowd (δημος dēmos) repeated their flattering adulation to gain Herod‘s favour. [source]
In the pagan sense of emperor worship, not as the Supreme Being. But it was pleasing to Herod Agrippa‘s vanity. [source]
The assembled people. [source]
As most of the assembly were heathen, the word does not refer to the Supreme Being, but is to be taken in the pagan sense - a god. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 12:22
Imperfect. Kept shouting. Used by Luke only. Compare Acts 12:22; Acts 22:24. [source]
Same idiom of αλλοι αλλο alloi allo as in Acts 19:32 which see. The imperfect of επιπωνεω epiphōneō to call out to, suits well the idiom. This old verb occurs in the N.T. only in Luke and Acts (already in Acts 12:22). [source]