Acts 12

Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.

And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.

And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)

And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.

Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.

And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.

And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.

And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.

When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.

And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.

And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.

And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.

And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.

And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.

But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.

But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.

Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.

And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there abode.

And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's country.

And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.

And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.

And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.

But the word of God grew and multiplied.

And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.

What does Acts 12:7 mean?

Explanation

Acts 12:7 describes a miraculous event where Peter is released from prison by divine intervention.

In the narrative, an angel of the Lord appears in the prison where Peter is held, and the area is illuminated by a heavenly light.

The angel then strikes Peter gently on the side to awaken him and instructs him to get up quickly.

As Peter complies, his chains miraculously fall off his hands, indicating that he is being freed supernaturally.

This verse has both a literal interpretation, which recounts the physical events that are taking place, and a deeper spiritual meaning.

The angel's appearance symbolizes God's intervention and the light signifies divine presence and revelation in a time of darkness and despair.

The falling off of chains can also be seen metaphorically as liberation from spiritual bondage or oppression.

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Historical Context

Acts 12 describes a period of persecution of the early Christian church under King Herod Agrippa I, who ruled Judea from A.D. 41 to 44.

Herod sought to please the Jewish population by persecuting leaders of the nascent Christian faith.

Peter was arrested during the time of Passover, an important Jewish festival, and was intended to be brought to trial after the holiday.

The account of Peter’s miraculous escape from prison is significant in the context of early Christian witness to the power and intervention of God in the midst of persecution.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, the narrative of Peter's escape serves as a testimony to God's sovereignty and protection over His followers.

The verse illustrates that no earthly power can thwart God's plan and that He is able to intervene miraculously to save His servants.

Theologically, some suggest that the event also prefigures the ultimate spiritual freeing that occurs through Jesus Christ, portraying the deliverance from sin and death.

Others argue that it provides a model of angelic ministry, where angels serve as messengers and agents of God's intervention in the human realm.

Practical Applications

This verse can inspire believers to have faith in God’s power to intervene in seemingly impossible situations. It encourages the Christian community to trust in divine deliverance and not to lose hope during times of trial or oppression.

The text also reminds individuals of the importance of being spiritually vigilant and ready to respond to God’s call, as Peter had to quickly get up when the angel came to him. It illustrates the concept of spiritual awakening and readiness for action in the life of a believer.

Cross-References

Acts 5:19 - "But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said."
Psalm 34:7 - "The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them."
Acts 16:26 - "And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed."

Language Study

The key words in the original Greek text of Acts 12:7 include:

"Angel of the Lord" (ἄγγελος κυρίου) - The term ἄγγελος (angelos) means messenger, while κυρίου (kuriou) translates to "of the Lord".

Together, it implies a divine messenger from God.

"Shined" (ἔλαμψεν) - This verb, related to the word λάμπω (lampto), implies radiating or beaming light, suggesting a supernatural brightness.
"Smote" (πατάξας) - The term πατάσσω (patasso) often means to strike or hit, but here it is understood as a gentle prod or tap to awaken Peter.
"Chains" (ἅλυσις) - The word ἅλυσις (halusis) refers to a physical chain or shackle, symbolizing imprisonment and restraint.

These key terms are instrumental in understanding the literal action in the verse and its underlying spiritual implications.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The idea of divine beings intervening in human affairs is a common motif in various ancient religions.

In Egyptian, Greek, and Roman myths, deities often intervene directly to affect the fates of mortals.

Comparatively, in the Christian tradition, angels are typically seen as God’s messengers or emissaries who carry out His will, rather than autonomous divine figures.

In Judaism, angelic beings are also a part of the faith, and stories like Daniel's deliverance from the lion's den echo the theme of divine rescue.

Similarly, in Islam, belief in angels as God's messengers is a critical component of faith, although the narratives differ from those in Christian texts.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific standpoint, the account of the angel and the light in the prison cannot be evaluated empirically, as it is a supernatural event recorded in a religious text.

Science does not weigh in on matters of faith and miracles, as these experiences are generally considered beyond the scope of scientific inquiry and more the domain of personal belief and religious doctrine.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians offer varying interpretations of Acts 12:7:

Some focus on it as historical evidence of the early church's experiences and their understanding of God's intervention in the world.
Others see it as a literary device employed by the author of Acts (traditionally Luke) to engage the reader and to link Peter's experience with those of other Biblical figures who experienced divine rescue.
Still, others emphasize the theological significance of the event, suggesting it as an affirmation of God's power and a foretaste of the resurrection victory over sin and death.

Overall, the commentaries recognize the importance of this verse within the larger narrative of Acts and the inspiring message it conveys to believers.

Acts 12

Acts 12

What does Acts 12:7 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Acts 12:7 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?