Bible Commentaries
Acts 12

Verse 1

Acts 12:1

Time frame: about AD 44

Verse 4

Acts 12:4

Four quaternions -- four squads of 4 - equal 16 soldiers. Probably 6 hour shifts.

Easter -- Passover

Verse 5

Acts 12:5

Prayer -- For what were they praying? Apparently not for Peter’s release, for they are surprised when he shows up at their prayer service. Probably they were praying for him to be courageous, and not recant his faith like he did the night of Jesus’ arrest.

Verse 6

Acts 12:6

Time frame: Passover = Saturday to Saturday, is this then Saturday night?

Verse 12

Acts 12:12

House of Mary -- The house where they met for the Lord’s last supper with them was perhaps the house belonging to Mary, the sister of Barnabas and mother of Mark, where they assembled in Acts 12:12; see Colossians 4:10; Acts 12:25. It was a large house and the owner had servants. Such large complexes kept an upper room for guests. Especially in Jerusalem they kept it for visitors who came to the feasts. This household appears to have been disciples of Jesus.

One clue that makes us think this was also the house of the Last Supper, is Mark’s statement in Mark 14:51 where it is believed that Mark is referring to himself. If Mark was the one following Jesus and the apostles to the garden, it would probably have been that he followed them from his home when they left in the night. Probably already in bed he only grabbed a linen cloth (sheet) to wrap around his naked body and followed them.

Most likely it is also the same house where the disciples met (and hid) after the Lord’s crucifixion John 20:19; John 20:26;

It could also be the same house mentioned in Acts 1:13, Acts 2:2.

Praying -- For what were they praying? Apparently not for Peter’s release, for they are surprised when he shows up at their prayer service. Probably they were praying for him to be courageous, and not recant his faith like he did the night of Jesus’ arrest.

Verse 13

Acts 12:13

Damsel -- A maid. A young felmale salve, about 12 r 13 years old.

Verse 17

Acts 12:17

Beckoning -- Sounds like words of an eye witness.

Another place -- Is this then documentation for the date that Peter left Jerusalem? About AD 44.

Verse 23

Acts 12:23

Herod died in AD 44.