Acts 12 16

Acts 12:16 kjv

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

Acts 12:16 nkjv

Now Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.

Acts 12:16 niv

But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.

Acts 12:16 esv

But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed.

Acts 12:16 nlt

Meanwhile, Peter continued knocking. When they finally opened the door and saw him, they were amazed.

Acts 12 verses

Acts 12 16 Meaning

Peter's astonished question reveals his lack of belief that God's intervention would be so immediate and direct in response to the prayers offered for him. The miraculous escape, despite all appearances to the contrary, underscores the power of earnest prayer and God's ability to act beyond human expectation. The text implies a stunned disbelief that God would perform such a miracle, highlighting how prayer can elicit divine action in seemingly impossible situations.

Acts 12 16 Context

The chapter describes a period of severe persecution against the early church under King Herod Agrippa I. Herod had James, the brother of John, killed with a sword (Acts 12:2). Seeing that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Peter was imprisoned and guarded by four quaternions of soldiers, under the anticipation that Herod would bring him out for public trial after Passover. The church, however, was earnestly praying to God for his release.

Acts 12 16 Word Analysis

• "δὲ" (de): A particle meaning "but," "and," "however." It serves to contrast or connect. Here, it connects Peter's current state with the disciples' prayers and also contrasts his expectation with the reality.
• "Πέτρος" (Petros): The Greek word for "Peter," one of Jesus' twelve apostles.
• "ἀποκοπτόντων" (apokopontōn): Present active participle of "apokoptō," meaning "to cut off," "to cease," "to hinder." It is used here idiomatically, meaning "to give up," "to despair of," or "to stop expecting." The prayer-givers had not ceased their prayers, implying persistent prayer.
• "οὕτω" (houtō): Adverb meaning "thus," "so," "in this way." It refers to the miraculous manner of Peter's release.
• "γεγενῆσθαι" (gegenēsthai): Perfect infinitive passive of "ginomai," meaning "to become," "to happen," "to be." It signifies the completed fact of the event.

Word Group Analysis

• "μὴ πιστεύων" (mē pisteuōn): "not believing." This phrase, linked to Peter, describes his disbelief in the current, palpable reality of his freedom. It is not a lack of faith in God in general, but an astonishment at the effectiveness of the prayers, leading to momentary incredulity regarding the actual event. This is akin to the disciples' reaction to Jesus after his resurrection.

Acts 12 16 Bonus Section

This episode serves as a powerful testament to the efficacy of the church's corporate prayer. The prayers offered were specific and directed toward God for Peter's deliverance. The miraculous nature of his escape—an angel opening prison doors and loosening his chains—demonstrates that God is not bound by human systems or limitations. Peter's own astonishment reinforces the idea that even those deeply connected to God can be awed by the magnitude of His intervention when it surpasses their expectations. This account is often cited to encourage believers to pray persistently, trusting that God can and will act in miraculous ways, even when the situation appears utterly hopeless. The event also validates the spiritual authority and effectiveness of the early Christian community.

Acts 12 16 Commentary

Peter, upon realizing his liberation from prison, returns to the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many were gathered for prayer. His immediate reaction is one of utter astonishment. He knocks on the door of the gate, and a servant girl named Rhoda answers. Upon hearing Peter's voice and recognizing him, she becomes so overjoyed and incredulous that she fails to open the door, instead rushing inside to tell the others that Peter is at the gate.

The group's response is equally stunned: "But they kept saying to him, 'You are mad!'" (Acts 12:15). This "madness" is not a reference to mental illness but a common idiom for bewildered disbelief. They could not readily accept that God had granted their prayers so spectacularly. They initially dismiss Rhoda's report, attributing it to her excitement or perhaps even a delusion caused by the intensity of their prayers and anxieties. Peter had to continue knocking before they finally opened the door and saw him, realizing the truth of Rhoda's proclamation. This exchange powerfully illustrates the disconnect between the earnest, hopeful prayers of the faithful and the sudden, astonishing reality of answered prayer. It highlights that sometimes, when God acts dramatically, the recipients themselves can be momentarily stunned into disbelief.