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Text -- Acts 12:15 (NET)

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Context
12:15 But they said to her, “You’ve lost your mind!” But she kept insisting that it was Peter, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!”
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Word/Phrase Notes
Robertson , Vincent , Wesley , JFB , Clarke , Calvin , Defender , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Poole , Haydock , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes
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TSK Synopsis , Combined Bible , Maclaren , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Barclay , Constable , College , McGarvey

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

Robertson: Act 12:15 - -- Thou art mad ( mainēi ). Present middle indicative second person singular. Old verb, only in the middle voice. Festus used the same word to Paul (A...

Thou art mad ( mainēi ).

Present middle indicative second person singular. Old verb, only in the middle voice. Festus used the same word to Paul (Act 26:24). The maid was undoubtedly excited, but it was a curious rebuff from those who had been praying all night for Peter’ s release. In their defence it may be said that Stephen and James had been put to death and many others by Saul’ s persecution.

Robertson: Act 12:15 - -- She confidently affirmed ( diischurizeto ). Imperfect middle of diischurizomai , an old word of vigorous and confident assertion, originally to lean ...

She confidently affirmed ( diischurizeto ).

Imperfect middle of diischurizomai , an old word of vigorous and confident assertion, originally to lean upon. Only here in the N.T. The girl stuck to her statement.

Robertson: Act 12:15 - -- It is his angel ( Ho aggelos estin autou ). This was the second alternative of the disciples. It was a popular Jewish belief that each man had a guar...

It is his angel ( Ho aggelos estin autou ).

This was the second alternative of the disciples. It was a popular Jewish belief that each man had a guardian angel. Luke takes no position about it. No scripture teaches it.

Vincent: Act 12:15 - -- Constantly affirmed ( διΐσχυρίζετο ) Better, confidently affirmed; constant is used in its older sense of consistent. The v...

Constantly affirmed ( διΐσχυρίζετο )

Better, confidently affirmed; constant is used in its older sense of consistent. The verb contains two ideas: strong assertion (ἰσχύς ), and holding to the assertion through all contradiction (διά ); hence, she strongly and consistently asserted.

Vincent: Act 12:15 - -- Angel Guardian angel, according to the popular belief among the Jews that every individual has his guardian angel, who may, on occasion, assume a...

Angel

Guardian angel, according to the popular belief among the Jews that every individual has his guardian angel, who may, on occasion, assume a visible appearance resembling that of the person whose destiny is committed to him.

Wesley: Act 12:15 - -- As we say, Sure you are not in your senses to talk so.

As we say, Sure you are not in your senses to talk so.

Wesley: Act 12:15 - -- It was a common opinion among the Jews, that every man had his particular guardian angel, who frequently assumed both his shape and voice. But this is...

It was a common opinion among the Jews, that every man had his particular guardian angel, who frequently assumed both his shape and voice. But this is a point on which the Scriptures are silent.

JFB: Act 12:12-17 - -- Who "must have had a house of some pretensions to receive a large number; and, accordingly, we read that her brother Barnabas (Col 4:10) was a person ...

Who "must have had a house of some pretensions to receive a large number; and, accordingly, we read that her brother Barnabas (Col 4:10) was a person of substance (Act 4:37). She must also have been distinguished for faith and courage to allow such a meeting in the face of persecution" [WEBSTER and WILKINSON]. To such a house it was natural that Peter should come.

JFB: Act 12:12-17 - -- So called to distinguish him from the apostle of that name, and to distinguish her from the other Marys.

So called to distinguish him from the apostle of that name, and to distinguish her from the other Marys.

JFB: Act 12:12-17 - -- Doubtless for Peter's deliverance, and continuing, no doubt, on this the last of the days of unleavened bread, which was their last hope, all night in...

Doubtless for Peter's deliverance, and continuing, no doubt, on this the last of the days of unleavened bread, which was their last hope, all night in prayer to God.

JFB: Act 12:15 - -- One of those exclamations which one can hardly resist on hearing what seems far "too good to be true."

One of those exclamations which one can hardly resist on hearing what seems far "too good to be true."

JFB: Act 12:15 - -- "kept steadfastly affirming."

"kept steadfastly affirming."

JFB: Act 12:15 - -- His disembodied spirit, his ghost; anything, in fact, rather than himself. Though this had been the burden of their fervent prayers during all the day...

His disembodied spirit, his ghost; anything, in fact, rather than himself. Though this had been the burden of their fervent prayers during all the days of unleavened bread, they dispute themselves out of it as a thing incredible. Still, it is but the unbelief of the disciples who "believed not for joy and wondered" at the tidings of their Lord's resurrection. How often do we pray for what we can hardly credit the bestowment of, when it comes in answer to our prayers! This, however, argues not so much hard unbelief as that kind of it incident to the best in this land of shadows, which perceives not so clearly as it might how very near heaven and earth, the Lord and His praying people, are to each other.

Clarke: Act 12:15 - -- It is his angel - It was a common opinion among the Jews that every man has a guardian angel, and in the popish Church it is an article of faith. Th...

It is his angel - It was a common opinion among the Jews that every man has a guardian angel, and in the popish Church it is an article of faith. The Jews also believed that angels often assumed the likeness of particular persons. They have many stories of the appearance of Elijah in the likeness of different rabbins. As αγγελος signifies in general a messenger, whether Divine or human, some have thought that the angel or messenger here means a servant or person which the disciples supposed was sent from Peter to announce something of importance to the brethren: it was also an opinion among the Jews, even in the time of the apostles, as appears from Philo, that the departed souls of good men officiated as ministering angels; and it is possible that the disciples at Mary’ s house might suppose that Peter had been murdered in the prison; and that his spirit was now come to announce this event, or give some particular warning to the Church.

Calvin: Act 12:15 - -- 15.When he did knock at the gate Whereas they think that the maid is mad, which telleth them that Peter was come; we gather by this, that they did no...

15.When he did knock at the gate Whereas they think that the maid is mad, which telleth them that Peter was come; we gather by this, that they did not hope or look for Peter’s deliverance, and yet we will not say that they prayed without faith; because they looked for some other success, to with that Peter being armed with power from heaven, should be ready, whether it were by life or death, to glorify God, 759 that the flock being terrified with the violent invasion of wolves might not be scattered abroad, that those that were weak might not faint, that the Lord would put away that whirlwind of persecution. But in that the Lord granteth them more than they hoped for, he surpasseth their desires with his infinite goodness. And now that which was done seemeth to them incredible, that they may be the more provoked to praise his power.

It is his angel They call him his angel, who was by God appointed to be his keeper and the minister of his safety. In which sense Christ saith that the angels of little ones do always see the face of his Father, (Mat 18:10.) And what do they gather hence commonly? that every particular man hath a particular angel, which taketh charge of him; but it is too weak. For the Scripture doth sometimes testify (Exo 14:10) that there is one angel given to a great people, and to one man only a great host. For Elizeus [Elisha] his servant had his eyes opened, so that he saw in the air chariots of fire, which were appointed to defend the prophet, (2Kg 6:17.) And in Daniel there is but one angel of the Persians, and one of the Grecians named, (Dan 10:5.) Neither doth the Scripture promise to every man a certain and peculiar angel, but rather that the Lord hath charged his angels to keep all the faithful, (Psa 91:11;) also that they pitch their tents about the godly, (Psa 34:8.) Therefore, that vain surmise which is common touching the two angels of every man is profane. Let this be sufficient for us, that the whole host of heaven doth watch for the safety of the Church; and that as necessity of time requireth sometimes one angel, sometimes more do defend us with their aid. Assuredly, this is inestimable goodness of God, in that he saith that the angels, who are the beams of his brightness, are our ministers.

Defender: Act 12:15 - -- In spite of the fact that they had been praying without ceasing for Peter's release (Act 12:5), they at first could not believe that God had answered ...

In spite of the fact that they had been praying without ceasing for Peter's release (Act 12:5), they at first could not believe that God had answered their prayers.

Defender: Act 12:15 - -- There are, indeed, guardian angels assigned to believers (Psa 34:7; Mat 18:10; Heb 1:14), and it was evidently believed that each such angel could, if...

There are, indeed, guardian angels assigned to believers (Psa 34:7; Mat 18:10; Heb 1:14), and it was evidently believed that each such angel could, if appropriate, assume the appearance of his particular charge. There is no Scriptural basis anywhere for the pagan belief that those who die still linger as ghosts. Besides, the Christians knew that Peter was not scheduled for execution until after the Passover (Act 12:4), so there is no reason to think that, by "his angel," they meant "his spirit.""

TSK: Act 12:15 - -- Thou : Act 26:24; Job 9:16; Mar 16:11, Mar 16:14; Luk 24:11 It is : Gen 48:16; Mat 18:10; Luk 24:37, Luk 24:38

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: Act 12:15 - -- Thou art mad - Thou art insane. They seemed to have regarded his rescue as so difficult and so hopeless, that they deemed it proof of derangeme...

Thou art mad - Thou art insane. They seemed to have regarded his rescue as so difficult and so hopeless, that they deemed it proof of derangement that she now affirmed it. And yet this was the very thing for which they had been so earnestly praying. When it was now announced to them that the object of their prayers was granted, they deemed the messenger that announced it insane. Christians are often surprised even when their prayers are answered. They are overwhelmed and amazed at the success of their own petitions, and are slow to believe that the very thing for which they have sought could be granted. It shows, perhaps, with how little faith, after all, they pray, and how slow they are to believe that God can hear and answer prayer. In a revival of religion in answer to prayer, Christians are often overwhelmed and astonished when even their own petitions are granted, and when God manifests his own power in his own way and time. Prayer should be persevered in, and we should place ourselves in a waiting posture to catch the first indications that God has heard us.

But she constantly affirmed - She insisted on it. How much better it would have been to have hastened at once to the gate, than thus to have engaged in a controversy on the subject. Peter was suffered to remain knocking while they debated the matter. Christians are often engaged in some unprofitable controversy when they should hasten to catch the first tokens of divine favor, and open their arms to welcome the proofs that God has heard their prayers.

Then said they - Still resolved not to be convinced.

It is his angel - Any way of accounting for it rather than to admit the simple fact, or to ascertain the simple truth. All this was caused by the little hope which they had of his release, and their earnest desire that it should be so. It was just such a state of mind as is indicated when we say, "The news is too good to e believed."The expression "It is his angel"may mean that they supposed that the "tutelary guardian,"or angel appointed to attend Peter, had come to announce something respecting him, and that he had assumed the voice and form of Peter in order to make them certain that he came from him. This notion arose from the common belief of the Jews that each individual had assigned to him, at birth, a celestial spirit, whose office it was to guard and defend him through life. See the notes on Mat 18:10. That the Jews entertained this opinion is clear from their writings. See Kuinoel. Lightfoot thinks that they who were assembled supposed that the angel had assumed the voice and manner of Peter in order to intimate to them that he was about to die, and to excite them to earnest prayer that he might die with constancy and firmness. Whatever their opinions were, however, it proves nothing on these points. There is no evidence that they were inspired in these opinions, nor are their notions countenanced by the Scriptures. They were the mere common traditions of the Jews, and prove nothing in regard to the truth of the opinion one way or the other.

Poole: Act 12:15 - -- Thou art mad thou speakest thou knowest not what; thinking her, out of fear, to have been discomposed in her mind. It is his angel: some have thoug...

Thou art mad thou speakest thou knowest not what; thinking her, out of fear, to have been discomposed in her mind.

It is his angel: some have thought, that by Peter’ s angel no other was meant than some messenger from Peter, which they might expect from him in such a case as he was in; now though aggelov (the word here) signifies a messenger or an angel, indifferently, yet how could Rhoda then know it to have been Peter’ s voice? A messenger’ s voice being no more like his that sent him than another man’ s. They did, probably mean some angel that had assumed Peter’ s shape, and imitated his voice: and the Jews having had a constant opinion, that at least every good man hath a guardian angel which God appoints to him for a means of his preservation, might be apt to imagine that this was that angel whose charge St. Peter was, Mat 18:10 . Though that angel spoken of, Gen 48:16 , most probably was the angel of the new covenant, and not a created angel, being Jacob blesseth in his name; yet the opinion of tutelar angels, though not certain or needful, is to this day thought probable.

Haydock: Act 12:15 - -- Thou art mad, or talkest idly. --- Then said they, it is his Angel. It seems ridiculous to translate here a messenger. Does a messenger speak w...

Thou art mad, or talkest idly. ---

Then said they, it is his Angel. It seems ridiculous to translate here a messenger. Does a messenger speak with the very voice of him that sends him? St. John Chrysostom[2] and others on this place observe, that they believed that every one, at least of the faithful, hath a good Angel. (Witham) ---

"If proper Angels," saith St. John Chrysostom, (T. iii. hom. 7. in laud. Paul.) "be deputed by our Lord to such as have only charge of their own existence, (as Israel said, Genesis xlviii. 16. the Angel that delivereth me from all evils, bless these boys ) much more are super-human spirits at hand to help those unto whom the charge and burden of the world is committed." Such persons as can believe that God permits evil spirits to tempt us, can find no difficulty surely in believing that the same good, just, and merciful Creator will permit good spirits to guide, protect, and assist us. Repeated proofs of both are found in holy writ. The learned Protestant commentator, Polus, on this text, says: Hujusmodi visis assueverat eo tempore Ecclesia, quæ etiam novit fideles præsidio angelorum esse circumseptos. The Church at that period had been accustomed to similar apparitions, nor is she ignorant that the faithful are secured by the protection of Angels. (T. iv. p. 1494.)

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[BIBLIOGRAPHY]

It is his Angel. St. John Chrysostom on these words, hom. xxvi. Ex hoc verum est quod unusquisque Angelum habet; Greek: alethes oti ekastos Aggelon echei.

Gill: Act 12:15 - -- And they said unto her, thou art mad, &c. "Or art thou not mad?" as the Ethiopic version, and two of Beza's exemplars read, and some others: they thou...

And they said unto her, thou art mad, &c. "Or art thou not mad?" as the Ethiopic version, and two of Beza's exemplars read, and some others: they thought the girl must be out of her senses; they looked upon the thing impossible; for though they were praying for him, and praying in faith, yet they might have no expectation of a deliverance; but were praying that they might be supported under such a trial, and that it might be sanctified to them; and for Peter, that he might be strengthened and made steadfast, and kept faithful to the last; and bear, by his sufferings and death, a glorious and honourable testimony for Christ:

but she constantly affirmed that it was even so; she asserted it over and over, and was positive in it; nothing they could say could put her off of it; she was sure of it; which when they observed, they could not tell what to say to it, but as follows: then said they,

it is his angel; not his tutelar or guardian angel, everyone having, as some think, a particular angel to attend him; whereas sometimes one angel attends many persons, and sometimes many angels encamp about, and are a guard to a single saint; nor did they think it was an angel sent to give notice of his death, as some persons, by one means or another, have had previous notices of the death of their friends; but rather, that it was an angel in Peter's shape, who had something to communicate: and this agrees with the notions of the Jews, who think that angels do assume the shapes of men on certain occasions: so they say i, when Moses was in danger in Pharaoh's court, God sent Michael, the prince of the host of heaven, "in the shape of an executioner"; who brought him at once out of Egypt, and set him at the border of it, the distance of three days journey: Bar Kaphra says k, an angel descended בדמות משה, "in the likeness of Moses", and caused him to flee, and they thought the angel had been Moses: and so it is elsewhere said l, that an angel descended "in the likeness of Solomon", sitting upon his throne: there are some who think, that the sense of the brethren praying for Peter, was not that it was an angel, a celestial spirit, but a messenger sent by Peter from the prison on some errand: who represented him, or mentioning his name, the damsel took him for Peter himself. Beza's ancient copy reads, "then said they unto her, perhaps it is his angel", and so the Syriac version.

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Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Act 12:15 The assumption made by those inside, “It is his angel,” seems to allude to the idea of an attending angel (cf. Gen 48:16 LXX; Matt 18:10; ...

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Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: Act 12:1-25 - --1 King Herod persecutes the Christians, kills James, and imprisons Peter; whom an angel delivers upon the prayers of the church.20 Herod in his pride ...

Combined Bible: Act 12:15 - --notes one verse 13     

Maclaren: Act 12:7-23 - --The Angel's Touch And, behold, the angel of the Lord smote Peter, 23. And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him [Herod]. '--Acts 12:7-23. THE s...

MHCC: Act 12:12-19 - --God's providence leaves room for the use of our prudence, though he has undertaken to perform and perfect what he has begun. These Christians continue...

Matthew Henry: Act 12:5-19 - -- We have here an account of Peter's deliverance out of prison, by which the design of Herod against him was defeated, and his life preserved for furt...

Barclay: Act 12:12-19 - --The greatest precautions had been taken to see that Peter did not escape. He was guarded by four quaternions of soldiers. A quaternion was a squad o...

Constable: Act 9:32--Rom 1:1 - --III. THE WITNESS TO THE UTTERMOST PART OF THE EARTH 9:32--28:31 Luke next recorded the church's expansion beyond...

Constable: Act 9:32--12:25 - --A. The extension of the church to Syrian Antioch 9:32-12:24 As Jerusalem had been the Palestinian center...

Constable: Act 12:1-24 - --4. The persecution of the Jerusalem church 12:1-24 The saints in Jerusalem not only suffered as ...

Constable: Act 12:1-19 - --The supernatural deliverance of Peter 12:1-19 "Peter's rescue from prison is an unusually vivid episode in Acts even when simply taken as a story abou...

College: Act 12:1-25 - --ACTS 12 H. THE PERSECUTION OF THE CHURCH BY HEROD AGRIPPA I (12:1-25) 1. The Martyrdom of James and Imprisonment of Peter (12:1-4) 1 It was about...

McGarvey: Act 12:13-16 - --13-16. Although the condition of Peter was the burden of the prayers of these disciples, they were by no means expecting his deliverance, and were mos...

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Introduction / Outline

Robertson: Acts (Book Introduction) THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES By Way of Introduction But for the Acts we should know nothing of the early apostolic period save what is told in the Epi...

JFB: Acts (Book Introduction) THIS book is to the Gospels what the fruit is to the tree that bears it. In the Gospels we see the corn of wheat falling into the ground and dying: in...

JFB: Acts (Outline) INTRODUCTION--LAST DAYS OF OUR LORD UPON EARTH--HIS ASCENSION. (Act 1:1-11) RETURN OF THE ELEVEN TO JERUSALEM--PROCEEDINGS IN THE UPPER ROOM TILL PEN...

TSK: Acts (Book Introduction) The Acts of the Apostles is a most valuable portion of Divine revelation; and, independently of its universal reception in the Christian church, as an...

TSK: Acts 12 (Chapter Introduction) Overview Act 12:1, King Herod persecutes the Christians, kills James, and imprisons Peter; whom an angel delivers upon the prayers of the church; ...

Poole: Acts 12 (Chapter Introduction) CHAPTER 12

MHCC: Acts (Book Introduction) This book unites the Gospels to the Epistles. It contains many particulars concerning the apostles Peter and Paul, and of the Christian church from th...

MHCC: Acts 12 (Chapter Introduction) (Act 12:1-5) The martyrdom of James, and the imprisonment of Peter. (Act 12:6-11) He is delivered from prison by an angel. (Act 12:12-19) Peter depa...

Matthew Henry: Acts (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The Acts of the Apostles We have with an abundant satisfaction seen the foundation of our holy religion...

Matthew Henry: Acts 12 (Chapter Introduction) In this chapter we have the story, I. Of the martyrdom of James the apostle, and the imprisonment of Peter by Herod Agrippa, who now reigned as ki...

Barclay: Acts (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES A Precious Book In one sense Acts is the most important book in the New Testament. It is the simple truth t...

Barclay: Acts 12 (Chapter Introduction) Imprisonment And Deliverance (Act_12:1-11) The Joy Of Restoration (Act_12:12-19) A Terrible End (Act_12:20-25)

Constable: Acts (Book Introduction) Introduction Title The title "Acts of the Apostles" is very ancient. The Anti-Marcioni...

Constable: Acts (Outline) Outline I. The witness in Jerusalem 1:1-6:7 A. The founding of the church 1:1-2:46 ...

Constable: Acts Acts Bibliography Albright, William Foxwell. The Archaeology of Palestine. 1949. Revised ed. Pelican Archaeolog...

Haydock: Acts (Book Introduction) THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. INTRODUCTION. St. Luke, who had published his gospel, wrote also a second volume, which, from the first ages, hath bee...

Gill: Acts (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO ACTS This book, in some copies, is called, "The Acts of the holy Apostles". It contains an history of the ministry and miracles of ...

College: Acts (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION As early as the second century the title "The Acts of the Apostles" was given to this document. Before that time the work probably circu...

College: Acts (Outline) OUTLINE I. THE CHURCH IN JERUSALEM - 1:1-8:1a A. INTRODUCTION OF THE BOOK - 1:1-3 B. THE COMMISSIONING OF THE APOSTLES - 1:4-8 C. THE ASCENSI...

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