Acts 12:1-19 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.… I. BEFORE MAN — a melancholy death. 1. Bloody and cruel: the noble head of the apostle falls under the sword of the executioner. 2. Premature and sudden: he quits this earthly scene before effecting anything important in his apostolic calling. 3. Without glory and quiet: he departs uncelebrated by the world, unpraised even by the Word of God. II. BEFORE GOD — a noble end and a beautiful death. 1. He had fulfilled his vocation here below: not how long, but how we live, is the chief matter. 2. He dies in the service of His Lord and preaches as powerfully by his death, as his fellow disciples do by their word. 3. He hastens towards his heavenly destination, whilst he as the first among, the brethren receives the martyr's crown, and is honoured by sitting where he desired at Christ's right hand. (K. Gerok.) Parallel Verses KJV: Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.WEB: Now about that time, King Herod stretched out his hands to oppress some of the assembly. |
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