And now the Lord had only publicly to dismiss Jerusalem for a season. But as He had before pledged Israel's future conversion, so does He, as I judge, now pledge to them their future restoration. To me, I confess, this chapter has great beauty and meaning, presenting both the sorrows and the deliverance of the remnant in the latter day, and the full ruinous overthrow of their enemies. James is slain with the sword, as hereafter at Jerusalem the complaint will be this, “their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem” (Psa. 79:2-3). Peter also, the hope of the circumcision, is cast into prison, the enemy thus all but prevailing against the Israel of God.