6. Would have brought. Rev., correctly, was about to bring.
Kept (éryjpouv). See on reserved, 1 Pet. i. 4. The imper- fect, were keeping.
7. Came upon (ézéorn). Better, as Rev., stood by. See on ch. iv. i.; and compare Luke ii. 9.
Cu. X11] THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 509
Prison (oicnuate). Not the prison, but the cel’ where Peter was confined. So, rightly, Rev.
8. Garment ({udatvov). The outer garment, or mantle. See on Matt. v. 40.
10. Ward (dvdAaxyv). Better, watch: the soldiers on guard. Explanations of the jirst and second watch differ, some assum- ing that the first was the single soldier on guard at the door of Peter’s cell, and the second, another soldier at the gate leading into the street. Others, that ¢wo soldiers were at each of these posts, the two in Peter’s cell not being included in the four who made up the watch.
12. When he had considered (cumdev). The verb strictly means to see together, or at the same time. Hence, to see en one view, to take in at a glance. Peter’s mental condition is de- scribed by two expressions: First, he came to himself (ver. 12), or, lit., when he had become present in himself ; denoting his awaking from the dazed condition produced by his being sud- denly roused from sleep and confronted with a supernatural appearance (see ver. 9). Secondly, when he had become aware (cuvidor) ; denoting his taking in the situation, according to the popular phrase. I do not think that any of the commentators have sufficiently emphasized the force of odv, together, as indi- cating his comprehensive perception of all the elements of the case. They all refer the word to his recognition of his deliver- ance from prison, which, however, has already been noted in ver. 11. While it may include this, it refers also to all the cir- cumstances of the case present at that moment. He had been freed ; he was there in the street alone ; he must go somewhere ; there was the house of Mary, where he was sure to find friends. Having taken in all this, perceived it all, he went to the house of Mary.*
* This force of the verb is illustrated by Xenophon (Anabasis, i., 5, 9). ‘‘ For one who directed his attention to it (¢.¢., the numerous evidences of power furnished by a great empire) might sce (cvvideiv, in a compreheusive glance) that the king was powerful.” So Plato (Laws, 904), speaking of God,
510 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. [Cu. XIL.
13. Door of the gate. The small outside door, forming the entrance from the street, and opening into the auA@y, or door- way, the passage from the street into the court. Others explain it as the wicket, a small door in the larger one, which is less probable.
A damsel (zraiSicxn). Or maid. The word was used of a young female slave, as well as of a young girl or maiden gener- ally. The narrative implies that she was more than a mere menial, if a servant at all. Her prompt recognition of Peter’s voice, and her joyful haste, as well as the record of her name, indicate that she was one of the disciples gathered for prayer.
Rhoda. ose. The Jews frequently gave their female chil- dren the names of plants and flowers: as Susannah (lily) ; Esther (myrtle); Yamar (palm-tree). ‘God, who leaves in oblivion names of mighty conquerors, treasures up that of a poor girl, for his church in all ages ” (Quesnel).
14. She knew. Or recognized.
15. Constantly affirmed (cvicyupifero). Better, confidently affirmed ; constant is used in its older sense of consestent. The verb contains two ideas: strong assertion (¢oyvs), and holding to the assertion through all contradiction (ca) ; hence, she strongly and consistently asserted.
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.