Acts 12 17

Acts 12:17 kjv

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.

Acts 12:17 nkjv

But motioning to them with his hand to keep silent, he declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, "Go, tell these things to James and to the brethren." And he departed and went to another place.

Acts 12:17 niv

Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. "Tell James and the other brothers and sisters about this," he said, and then he left for another place.

Acts 12:17 esv

But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, "Tell these things to James and to the brothers." Then he departed and went to another place.

Acts 12:17 nlt

He motioned for them to quiet down and told them how the Lord had led him out of prison. "Tell James and the other brothers what happened," he said. And then he went to another place.

Acts 12 verses

Acts 12 17 Meaning

Acts 12:17 describes Peter's immediate actions following his miraculous release from prison. He quiets the astonished believers gathered for prayer, recounts in detail how the Lord (God himself, through an angel) delivered him, instructs them to report these events specifically to James (the leader of the Jerusalem church) and the other believers, and then departs for safety to another location. This verse emphasizes divine intervention, the importance of informing church leadership, and the pragmatic need for Peter's discretion in the face of ongoing persecution.

Acts 12 17 Context

Acts 12 begins with King Herod Agrippa I initiating a severe persecution against the Jerusalem church. He executed James, the brother of John, with the sword, pleasing the Jews. Seeing this, he arrested Peter with the intention of a public trial and execution after Passover. The church, however, responded not with panic, but with fervent and constant prayer for Peter. On the night before his intended execution, while guarded by four squads of soldiers, an angel of the Lord appeared, light filled the cell, chains fell off Peter's wrists, and the angel led him out, past guards, and through the iron gate, which opened by itself. Peter initially thought it was a vision. Upon realizing its reality, he went directly to the house of Mary, John Mark's mother, where many believers were gathered, praying for him. The initial reaction upon Peter's arrival was astonishment and disbelief, highlighted by Rhoda's report and the group's assumption it was Peter's angel. It is into this setting of shock, disbelief, and a deeply emotional reunion that Peter takes command, giving the instructions in verse 17.

Acts 12 17 Word analysis

• But motioning: (Greek: καταναεύσας - kataneusas). A direct, non-verbal command, a nod or wave. Peter had to assert control in the tumultuous moment of their astonishment and joy, ensuring silence for his urgent message.

• to them with his hand: Emphasizes the physical action. In a moment of high emotion and disbelief, a clear visual signal was necessary to command attention and silence over the fervent exclamations and clamor of the overjoyed and astonished believers.

• to be silent: (Greek: σιγᾶν - sigan). Implies the need for quiet for two reasons: to hear his account and for discretion in a time of intense persecution. Noise could draw unwanted attention.

• he declared: (Greek: διηγήσατο - diēgēsato). More than a casual statement; it means to narrate, to tell in detail. Peter provides an account of the supernatural event. This oral testimony served to reinforce faith and establish the truth of God's intervention.

• how the Lord: (Greek: ὁ Κύριος - ho Kyrios). Crucial distinction. Peter attributes his deliverance not to chance, human ingenuity, or even solely to the angel, but directly to "the Lord," referring to God. This shifts the focus from the human agents to divine power and sovereignty, as the church's prayers were directed to God.

• had brought him out: (Greek: ἐξήγαγεν - exēgagen). Direct and active divine agency. Echoes the Exodus motif of God delivering His people from bondage, a significant theological theme for the Jewish-Christian community.

• of the prison: The concrete reality of his former imprisonment underscores the magnitude and undeniable nature of the miracle.

• And he told them to tell these things: A direct command, indicating the importance of dissemination within specific channels. This information was vital for the encouragement and instruction of the wider church body.

• to James: Refers to James, the brother of Jesus, who was a key leader and "pillar" of the Jerusalem church (Gal 2:9, Acts 15:13). His leadership position made him the appropriate recipient of such crucial news concerning the apostolic leadership.

• and to the brothers: Encompasses the wider Christian community in Jerusalem, indicating that this news was for collective knowledge and encouragement, likely conveyed through official channels or trusted members.

• Then he departed and went to another place: A pragmatic decision born of necessity. Peter prudently withdrew to ensure his continued safety from Herod's persecution, allowing him to continue his ministry elsewhere. This reflects a biblical principle of wise discretion in the face of danger.

• "But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he declared to them": This phrase highlights Peter's immediate return to apostolic authority. Despite his miraculous escape, he quickly assumed his leadership role, recognizing the need to calm the emotional group and deliver an orderly testimony.

• "how the Lord had brought him out of the prison": Emphasizes divine causation. The agency of deliverance is squarely placed on "the Lord," reminding the gathered believers that their prayers were heard and answered by God's direct intervention, rather than any human contrivance.

• "And he told them to tell these things to James and to the brothers.": This reveals the structured nature of the early church leadership. Communication of vital news passed through designated leaders, specifically James, signifying his preeminence in the Jerusalem church at this time, after the earlier James (son of Zebedee) had been killed.

• "Then he departed and went to another place.": This demonstrates strategic prudence and itinerant ministry. Peter's departure was not a retreat from faith but a necessary move for safety and continuity of ministry, demonstrating wisdom in facing ongoing persecution. It implies that Peter was ready to continue his work in new fields rather than remain in immediate danger.

Acts 12 17 Bonus section

• The identity of "James" here is overwhelmingly understood by scholars to be James, the half-brother of Jesus, who became a leading figure and the head of the Jerusalem church, particularly after Peter's move away from exclusive leadership in Jerusalem. This James also penned the Epistle of James.
• Peter's immediate departure indicates the growing decentralization of apostolic ministry from Jerusalem. While Jerusalem remained significant, the apostles were increasingly dispersed by persecution and missionary calling, fulfilling Christ's command in Acts 1:8 to be witnesses "to the ends of the earth."
• The phrase "went to another place" (εἰς ἕτερον τόπον - eis heteron topon) is deliberately vague. While tradition suggests places like Antioch or even Rome, the text leaves it open, perhaps emphasizing that Peter's personal whereabouts became less important than the work of the broader church, or for reasons of security. This also signals a shift in the book of Acts, as the narrative will increasingly focus on Paul's missionary journeys.

Acts 12 17 Commentary

Acts 12:17 acts as a vital bridge between Peter's dramatic deliverance and his subsequent disappearance from the direct narrative of the Jerusalem church in Acts. Peter's first act upon fully understanding his freedom is to manage the reaction of the believers. His signal for silence (kataneusas) reflects his authority and the urgency of the moment. The detailed narration (diēgēsato) of the miracle was essential for the bewildered community, confirming their fervent prayers had been answered by divine intervention—"the Lord" truly worked. By specifically naming "James and to the brothers," Peter highlights the existing church structure and the need for organized communication of such significant news. James, as the brother of the Lord, likely presided over the Jerusalem church and would disseminate this news, bolstering faith and guiding their response. Peter's subsequent departure to "another place" underscores the reality of persistent persecution and the wisdom of a strategic retreat. This was not fear but shrewdness, allowing Peter to preserve his life for future ministry rather than becoming a martyr in a premature, forced confrontation. This verse showcases the balance between God's miraculous power and human responsibility, wisdom, and ecclesiastical order in the early Christian community.