Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-05-10
The SABBATH SCHOOL
International Lesson Comments For
Nay II.
Subject: Peter Delivered From Prison. Acts
xii. i.i9-Goideu Text. Psa. xxxiv.. T.
Memory Verses. 5-7-Commentary
on tie Days Lessor,

l. about that time" About the time
Saul and Barnabas came to Jerusalem.
Chap. IL: 80. "Herod." This was Herod
Agrippa !. He was grandson of Herod
the Great who murdered the innocents
Matt. ,: l6l; nephew OF Herod Antipas
who murdered John the Baptist Matt. IA:
2-l2l. and father to Herod Agrippa III,
before whom Paul preached. Acts &c: /.
denot.ng that he laid his hands on them,
or that he endeavored violently to Cypress
the church. TO vex.' To affiict" X.
V. According to Josephus. Herod was
anxious to be esteemed devout jew.
2. KILLED James" James was Que of
the three apostles who had been especially
favored by Jesus. With the sword"
BY killing with the sword we are to I'M
derstand behcading. Among the jews
burning. killing with the sword, or be-
heading. and strangling.
8. PLEASED" His object was to gain
public favor. Peter also Peter was
very conspicuous. 'Unleavened bread"
The feast of the Passover which continued
seven days.
4. "Apprehended" See r. v. I'm
prison" intending to keep him until the
feast was over. During the solemnities OF
deemed improper TO have engaged in the
trial OF supposed criminal. -Four
quaternions. \ quaternion was com.
pany OF four soldiers, hence there were
sixteen In all. Escape was humanity i'm.
possible. Peter had once escaped from
the prison OF the Sanhedrn Is: l9) and
they did not intend that he should get
away again. After Easter After the
Passover" r. V. After the whole feast
tt-la
lastical term OF later date, and should
have no place in the sacred text. Bring
him forth" This evidently means to put
him to death provided the people"-the
bioodthirsty Jews desired it.
5. Prayer The only weapon they
could use. Without ceasing." Earnest.
IT," Il. v. These prayers brought about
his deliverance. "Of the church." They
no doubt met In private houses because of
the persecution which would make public
services dangerous.
ceding the day on which Herod intended
to bring him forth for trial and execution
Peter was sleeping" Peter had nothing
to fear. He was ready to die for his Mas.
te-.
:. Angel. came" The deliverance
was delayed until the last moment This
would test the faith of the church "A
light shined.' The angel brought no Ian.
tern. lamp or candle, yet he brought a
light. the beaming OF his own person.
Peter saw by it his prison, his chains, his
cloak. his sandals, and his emaucipator.
I'm the prison" In the cell" Il. v.
"Smote Peter" He struck him in Just
such way as to awake him from his sleep.
nony OF the reality OF the angelic appear.
and to leave in his recollection a testi-
ance: Raised him up" ''Awoke him"
Il. V. Saying, Arise" The angel did not
assist Peter 10 arise. "Chains fell off !"
The chains that bound him to the two
sleeping soldiers. With what ease can God
deliver His people from their enemies!
s. ''Cird thyself." In order that he
might sleep more comfortably, he had laid
aside his belt. or girdle. his sandals, and
his tunic. Bind on thy sandals" This
was shoe made to cover only the sole of
the foot
9. And he went out" Guided by the
angel, he met no opposition in his way.
Ie was led by the angel safely out of all
danger. And wist not" He knew not,
guard are but different forms of the same
word. They were probably all asleep
Iron gate" Although locked and barred
it opened at their approach, Departed"
Supernatural aid was unnecessary.
IL. Come to himself" Recovered
from the confusion of mind into which he
had been thrown. Now l know" He
had had similar experience before this
Chap. S: l9 The expectation" The
jews waiting anxiously for his execution.
IL. Considered" When he fully com.
pretended what had TRANSFERRED, and had
weighed everything connected with the
circumstances of his deliverance. House
of Mary" She was the sister OF Barna
bas, Col. 4: 10. Mother OF John"
John is his Hebrew name and Mark his
Latin name. He attended Paul and
Barnabas on their first missionary jour.
ney, and is the author OF the gospel which
was probably the latter part of the night.
and this large company had, no doubt,
been praying all night.
IL. Door of the gate" The street
gate at the entrance to the court in .ront
OF the house, which was fastened. probably.
"for fear OF the Jews" Game to harken."
Came to answer" +. v.
IA. knew Peters voice Peter may
be supposed to have announced his Eame.
ouirv. For gladness." She was so eager
to inform the others that she ran to in
form them without taking time to open the
door.
10 Thou art mad" One of those ex.
carnations which one can hardly resist or
hearing what seems Ear too good to be
true" His angel" His guardian angel.
assuming his form and voice. Il common
Jewish belief.
Is. "They were astonished." This does
not indicate that they were unbe,evins
and had no expectation OF an answer Our
prayers are often answered in unexpected
ways.
II. Hold their peace" Their joy was
so loud in its expression that he was OBJ
liged to motion to them to be quiet it
order to secure an opportunity to inform
them of his deliverance. James" No,
James the son of Zebedee, who had beer
slain. " 9 Whether this was James the
son of Alpheus, called also James the Less
one of the apostles; or whether he wal
James the Just, the brother of our Lord
is a question. Into another place.
Where we do not know. The peril o.:
death was so imminent that he evidently
decided it to be his duty to conceal him
self
Is. "Was day" Peter was not missed
until sunrise-about six o'clock. 1t was If
the fourth watch. sometime between thre.
and six o'clock. that the angel entered tn,
prison.
10. Examined the keepers" Trict
them for breach of discipline. He
Herod. And there abode" But not long
I. 81 1.