Holy Bible: Easy-to-Read Version
Book of Acts
Chapter 12  -  Read Chapter
Study Resource List BCC -> Commentary on 12:1 DSN -> Synopsis on 12:1 GEB -> Study Notes on 12:1 GSB -> Study Notes on 12:1 JFB -> Commentary on 12:1 MHC-COM -> Commentary on 12:1 MHC-CON -> Commentary on 12:1 OCA -> Commentary on 12:1 PNT -> Commentary on 12:1 RWP -> Study Notes on 12:1 SRN -> Study Notes on 12:1 TSK -> Commentary on 12:1 TSK -> Entry for 12:1 WEN -> Notes on 12:1 NTB -> Herod; Jerusalem; Persecution; Rulers TTT -> Persecution EBD -> Agrippa I.; Drusilla; Herod Agrippa I.; James; Peter; Prayer SBD -> Bernice, or Berenice; Herod; James 12:1 - [In Context] During that same time King Herod F233 began to persecute F234 some of the people that belonged to the church (group of believers).
Study Resource List BCC -> Commentary on 12:2 DSN -> Synopsis on 12:2 GEB -> Study Notes on 12:2 GSB -> Study Notes on 12:2 JFB -> Commentary on 12:2 MHC-COM -> Commentary on 12:2 MHC-CON -> Commentary on 12:2 OCA -> Commentary on 12:2 PNT -> Commentary on 12:2 RWP -> Study Notes on 12:2 TSK -> Commentary on 12:2 TSK -> Entry for 12:2 WEN -> Notes on 12:2 NTB -> Beheading; Herod; Homicide; James; Jerusalem; King; Martyrdom; Persecution; Punishment; Rulers TTT -> Martyrdom; Murder; Punishments; Sword, The EBD -> Agrippa I.; Apostle; Behead; Claudius; Drusilla; Herod Agrippa I.; James; Peter; Prayer SBD -> James 12:2 - [In Context] Herod ordered James to be killed with a sword. James was the brother of John.
Study Resource List BCC -> Commentary on 12:3 DSN -> Synopsis on 12:3 GEB -> Study Notes on 12:3 GSB -> Study Notes on 12:3 JFB -> Commentary on 12:3 MHC-COM -> Commentary on 12:3 MHC-CON -> Commentary on 12:3 OCA -> Commentary on 12:3 PNT -> Commentary on 12:3 RWP -> Study Notes on 12:3 TSK -> Commentary on 12:3 TSK -> Entry for 12:3 WEN -> Notes on 12:3 NTB -> Demagogism; God (continued); Herod; Jerusalem; King; Minister, Christian; Opinion, Public; Passover; Persecution; Peter; Prisoners; Rulers TTT -> Feast of the Passover, The EBD -> Agrippa I.; Drusilla; Herod Agrippa I.; Passover; Peter; Prayer 12:3 - [In Context] Herod saw that the Jews liked this. So he decided to arrest Peter, too. (This happened during the time of the Jewish holiday called the Passover. F235 )
Study Resource List BCC -> Commentary on 12:4 DSN -> Synopsis on 12:4 GEB -> Study Notes on 12:4 GSB -> Study Notes on 12:4 JFB -> Commentary on 12:4 MHC-COM -> Commentary on 12:4 MHC-CON -> Commentary on 12:4 OCA -> Commentary on 12:4 PNT -> Commentary on 12:4 RWP -> Study Notes on 12:4 SRN -> Study Notes on 12:4 TSK -> Commentary on 12:4 TSK -> Entry for 12:4 WEN -> Notes on 12:4 NTB -> Criminals; Easter (A.V.); God (continued); Herod; Imprisonment; Jerusalem; Minister, Christian; Persecution; Peter; Prison; Prisoners; Quaternion; Rulers; Soldiers TTT -> Prisons; Protection EBD -> Agrippa I.; Drusilla; Easter; Guard; Herod Agrippa I.; Peter; Prayer; Quaternion SBD -> Easter; Punishments; Quaternion 12:4 - [In Context] Herod arrested Peter and put him in jail. A group of 16 soldiers guarded Peter. Herod wanted to wait until after the Passover festival. Then he planned to bring Peter before the people.
Study Resource List BCC -> Commentary on 12:5 DSN -> Synopsis on 12:5 GEB -> Study Notes on 12:5 GSB -> Study Notes on 12:5 JFB -> Commentary on 12:5 MHC-COM -> Commentary on 12:5 MHC-CON -> Commentary on 12:5 OCA -> Commentary on 12:5 PNT -> Commentary on 12:5 RWP -> Study Notes on 12:5 SRN -> Study Notes on 12:5 TSK -> Commentary on 12:5 TSK -> Entry for 12:5 WEN -> Notes on 12:5 NTB -> Afflictions And Adversities; Criminals; God (continued); Herod; Jerusalem; Minister, Christian; Persecution; Peter; Prayer; Prison; Prisoners; Rulers; Soldiers TTT -> Afflicted, Duty toward the; Angels; Prayer, Answers to; Prayer, Intercessory; Prayer, Public; Prisons; Protection; Providence of God, The EBD -> Herod Agrippa I.; Peter; Prayer 12:5 - [In Context] So Peter was kept in jail. But the church was constantly praying to God for Peter.
Study Resource List BCC -> Commentary on 12:6 DSN -> Synopsis on 12:6 GEB -> Study Notes on 12:6 GSB -> Study Notes on 12:6 JFB -> Commentary on 12:6 MHC-COM -> Commentary on 12:6 MHC-CON -> Commentary on 12:6 OCA -> Commentary on 12:6 PNT -> Commentary on 12:6 RWP -> Study Notes on 12:6 TSK -> Commentary on 12:6 TSK -> Entry for 12:6 WEN -> Notes on 12:6 NTB -> Chains; God (continued); Herod; Jerusalem; Minister, Christian; Miracles; Persecution; Peter; Prayer; Prisoners; Rulers; Soldiers TTT -> Prisons; Protection; Roman Empire, The EBD -> Chain; Herod Agrippa I.; Peter; Prayer; Quaternion SBD -> Chain 12:6 - [In Context] Peter was sleeping between two of the soldiers. He was bound with two chains. More soldiers were guarding the door of the jail. It was at night, and Herod F236 planned to bring Peter out before the people the next day.
Study Resource List BCC -> Commentary on 12:7 DSN -> Synopsis on 12:7 GEB -> Study Notes on 12:7 GSB -> Study Notes on 12:7 JFB -> Commentary on 12:7 MHC-COM -> Commentary on 12:7 MHC-CON -> Commentary on 12:7 OCA -> Commentary on 12:7 PNT -> Commentary on 12:7 RWP -> Study Notes on 12:7 TSK -> Commentary on 12:7 TSK -> Entry for 12:7 WEN -> Notes on 12:7 NTB -> Angel (a spirit); Chains; God (continued); Herod; Jerusalem; Minister, Christian; Miracles; Persecution; Peter; Prayer; Prisoners; Rulers TTT -> Angels; Light; Prayer, Answers to; Protection EBD -> Angel; Herod Agrippa I.; Peter; Prayer SBD -> Chain 12:7 - [In Context] Suddenly, an angel of the Lord stood there. A light shined in the room. The angel touched Peter on the side and woke him up. The angel said, "Hurry, get up!" The chains fell off Peter's hands.
Study Resource List BCC -> Commentary on 12:8 DSN -> Synopsis on 12:8 GEB -> Study Notes on 12:8 GSB -> Study Notes on 12:8 JFB -> Commentary on 12:8 MHC-COM -> Commentary on 12:8 MHC-CON -> Commentary on 12:8 OCA -> Commentary on 12:8 PNT -> Commentary on 12:8 RWP -> Study Notes on 12:8 SRN -> Study Notes on 12:8 WEN -> Notes on 12:8 NTB -> Angel (a spirit); God (continued); Herod; Jerusalem; Minister, Christian; Miracles; Persecution; Peter; Prayer; Prisoners; Rulers TTT -> Angels; Shoes EBD -> Herod Agrippa I.; Peter; Prayer; Sandals SBD -> Dress 12:8 - [In Context] The angel said to Peter, "Get dressed and put on your shoes." And so Peter did this. Then the angel said, "Put on your coat and follow me."
Study Resource List BCC -> Commentary on 12:9 DSN -> Synopsis on 12:9 GEB -> Study Notes on 12:9 GSB -> Study Notes on 12:9 JFB -> Commentary on 12:9 MHC-COM -> Commentary on 12:9 MHC-CON -> Commentary on 12:9 OCA -> Commentary on 12:9 PNT -> Commentary on 12:9 RWP -> Study Notes on 12:9 SRN -> Study Notes on 12:9 TSK -> Commentary on 12:9 TSK -> Entry for 12:9 WEN -> Notes on 12:9 NTB -> Angel (a spirit); God (continued); Herod; Jerusalem; Minister, Christian; Miracles; Persecution; Peter; Prayer; Prisoners; Rulers TTT -> Angels EBD -> Herod Agrippa I.; Peter; Prayer 12:9 - [In Context] So the angel went out and Peter followed. Peter did not know if the angel was really doing this. He thought he might be seeing a vision. F237
Study Resource List BCC -> Commentary on 12:10 DSN -> Synopsis on 12:10 GEB -> Study Notes on 12:10 GSB -> Study Notes on 12:10 JFB -> Commentary on 12:10 MHC-COM -> Commentary on 12:10 MHC-CON -> Commentary on 12:10 OCA -> Commentary on 12:10 PNT -> Commentary on 12:10 RWP -> Study Notes on 12:10 TSK -> Commentary on 12:10 TSK -> Entry for 12:10 WEN -> Notes on 12:10 NTB -> Angel (a spirit); Gates; God (continued); Herod; Iron; Jerusalem; Minister, Christian; Miracles; Persecution; Peter; Prayer; Prisoners; Rulers TTT -> Angels; Gates; Iron EBD -> Gate; Herod Agrippa I.; Peter; Prayer 12:10 - [In Context] Peter and the angel went past the first guard and the second guard. Then they came to the iron gate that separated them from the city. The gate opened itself for them. Peter and the angel went through the gate and walked about a block. Then the angel suddenly left.
Study Resource List BCC -> Commentary on 12:11 DSN -> Synopsis on 12:11 GEB -> Study Notes on 12:11 GSB -> Study Notes on 12:11 JFB -> Commentary on 12:11 MHC-COM -> Commentary on 12:11 MHC-CON -> Commentary on 12:11 OCA -> Commentary on 12:11 PNT -> Commentary on 12:11 RWP -> Study Notes on 12:11 SRN -> Study Notes on 12:11 TSK -> Commentary on 12:11 TSK -> Entry for 12:11 WEN -> Notes on 12:11 NTB -> Angel (a spirit); God (continued); Herod; Jerusalem; Minister, Christian; Miracles; Persecution; Peter; Prayer; Prisoners; Rulers TTT -> Angels EBD -> Herod Agrippa I.; Peter; Prayer 12:11 - [In Context] Peter realized then what had happened. He thought, "Now I know that the Lord really sent his angel to me. He rescued (saved) me from Herod. F238 The Jewish people thought that bad things would happen to me. But the Lord saved me from all these things."
Study Resource List BCC -> Commentary on 12:12 DSN -> Synopsis on 12:12 GEB -> Study Notes on 12:12 GSB -> Study Notes on 12:12 JFB -> Commentary on 12:12 MHC-COM -> Commentary on 12:12 MHC-CON -> Commentary on 12:12 OCA -> Commentary on 12:12 PNT -> Commentary on 12:12 RWP -> Study Notes on 12:12 TSK -> Commentary on 12:12 TSK -> Entry for 12:12 WEN -> Notes on 12:12 NTB -> God (continued); Herod; House; Jerusalem; Mark; Mary; Minister, Christian; Persecution; Peter; Prayer; Prisoners; Rulers; Women; Worship TTT -> Prayer, Public EBD -> Herod Agrippa I.; John; Mark; Mary; Peter; Prayer; Rhoda SBD -> John; Mark; Mark, Gospel of; Mary, mother of Mark 12:12 - [In Context] When Peter realized this, he went to the home of Mary. She was the mother of John. (John was also called Mark.) Many people were gathered there. They were all praying.
Study Resource List BCC -> Commentary on 12:13 DSN -> Synopsis on 12:13 GEB -> Study Notes on 12:13 GSB -> Study Notes on 12:13 JFB -> Commentary on 12:13 MHC-COM -> Commentary on 12:13 MHC-CON -> Commentary on 12:13 OCA -> Commentary on 12:13 PNT -> Commentary on 12:13 RWP -> Study Notes on 12:13 TSK -> Commentary on 12:13 TSK -> Entry for 12:13 WEN -> Notes on 12:13 NTB -> God (continued); Herod; Jerusalem; Minister, Christian; Persecution; Peter; Prayer; Prisoners; Rhoda; Rulers; Women TTT -> Houses EBD -> Door-keeper; Dwellings; Herod Agrippa I.; Knock; Peter; Rhoda SBD -> Rhoda 12:13 - [In Context] Peter knocked on the outside door. A servant girl named Rhoda came to answer it.
Study Resource List BCC -> Commentary on 12:14 DSN -> Synopsis on 12:14 GEB -> Study Notes on 12:14 GSB -> Study Notes on 12:14 JFB -> Commentary on 12:14 MHC-COM -> Commentary on 12:14 MHC-CON -> Commentary on 12:14 OCA -> Commentary on 12:14 PNT -> Commentary on 12:14 RWP -> Study Notes on 12:14 TSK -> Commentary on 12:14 TSK -> Entry for 12:14 WEN -> Notes on 12:14 NTB -> God (continued); Herod; Jerusalem; Joy; Minister, Christian; Persecution; Peter; Prayer; Prisoners; Rulers; Superstition; Women TTT -> Gates EBD -> Herod Agrippa I.; Peter; Rhoda 12:14 - [In Context] Rhoda recognized Peter's voice, and she was very happy. She even forgot to open the door. She ran inside and told the group, "Peter is at the door!"
Study Resource List BCC -> Commentary on 12:15 DSN -> Synopsis on 12:15 GEB -> Study Notes on 12:15 GSB -> Study Notes on 12:15 JFB -> Commentary on 12:15 MHC-COM -> Commentary on 12:15 MHC-CON -> Commentary on 12:15 OCA -> Commentary on 12:15 PNT -> Commentary on 12:15 RWP -> Study Notes on 12:15 TSK -> Commentary on 12:15 TSK -> Entry for 12:15 WEN -> Notes on 12:15 NTB -> God (continued); Herod; Jerusalem; Minister, Christian; Persecution; Peter; Prayer; Prisoners; Rulers; Superstition EBD -> Herod Agrippa I.; Peter; Rhoda SBD -> Mary, mother of Mark 12:15 - [In Context] The believers said to Rhoda, "You are crazy!" But she continued to say that it was true. So they said, "It must be Peter's angel."
Study Resource List BCC -> Commentary on 12:16 DSN -> Synopsis on 12:16 GEB -> Study Notes on 12:16 GSB -> Study Notes on 12:16 JFB -> Commentary on 12:16 MHC-COM -> Commentary on 12:16 MHC-CON -> Commentary on 12:16 OCA -> Commentary on 12:16 PNT -> Commentary on 12:16 RWP -> Study Notes on 12:16 WEN -> Notes on 12:16 NTB -> God (continued); Herod; Jerusalem; Minister, Christian; Persecution; Peter; Prayer; Prisoners; Rulers EBD -> Herod Agrippa I.; Knock; Peter 12:16 - [In Context] But Peter continued to knock. When the believers opened the door, they saw Peter. They were amazed.
Study Resource List BCC -> Commentary on 12:17 DSN -> Synopsis on 12:17 GEB -> Study Notes on 12:17 GSB -> Study Notes on 12:17 JFB -> Commentary on 12:17 MHC-COM -> Commentary on 12:17 MHC-CON -> Commentary on 12:17 OCA -> Commentary on 12:17 PNT -> Commentary on 12:17 RWP -> Study Notes on 12:17 TSK -> Commentary on 12:17 TSK -> Entry for 12:17 WEN -> Notes on 12:17 NTB -> God (continued); Herod; James; Jerusalem; Minister, Christian; Persecution; Peter; Prayer; Prisoners; Prudence; Rulers TTT -> Hands, The; Titles and Names of Saints EBD -> Apostle; Herod Agrippa I.; James; Peter SBD -> James the Less 12:17 - [In Context] Peter made a sign with his hand to tell them to be quiet. He explained to them how the Lord led him out of the jail. He said, "Tell James and the other brothers what happened." Then Peter left to go to another place.
FOOTNOTES: F233: Herod   Herod Agrippa I, grandson of Herod the Great. F234: persecute(d)   To persecute is to hurt or do bad things to. F235: Passover   An important Jewish holy day. The Jews ate a special meal on this day every year to remember that God freed them from slavery in Egypt in the time of Moses. F236: Herod   Herod Agrippa I, grandson of Herod the Great. F237: vision(s)   Something like dreams used by God to speak to people. F238: Herod   Herod Agrippa I, grandson of Herod the Great.

Abbreviations Legend: BCC - Burton Coffman; DSN - Darby's Synopsis; GEB - Gill's Exposition; GSB - Geneva Study Bible; JFB - Jamieson, Fausset, Brown; MHC-COM - Matthew Henry Complete; MHC-CON - Matthew Henry Concise; OCA - Original Commentary on Acts; PNT - People's New Testament; RWP - Robertson's Word Pictures; SRN - Scofield Reference Notes; TSK - Treasury of Scripture Knowledge; WEN - Wesley's Explanatory Notes; NTB - Nave's Topical Bible; TSK - Treasury of Scripture Knowledge; TTT - Torrey's Topical Textbook; EBD - Easton's Bible Dictionary; SBD - Smith's Bible Dictionary; Copyright Statement - Holy Bible: Easy-to-Read Version © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center, Inc. and used by permission.