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 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Luke 17:20 | The kingdom of God is not coming with observation. | Jesus teaching about the spiritual nature of the kingdom |
| John 14:2 | In my Father's house are many mansions... I go to prepare a place for you. | Jesus speaking of His ascent and preparing a place for believers |
| John 17:5 | Glorify me with the glory I had with you before the world existed. | Jesus' prayer for His pre-existence and shared glory |
| Acts 1:6-8 | Will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?... you will be my witnesses. | Disciples' question and Jesus' command about spreading the gospel |
| Acts 2:33 | Being exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit... | Christ's exaltation and reception of the Spirit to give to believers |
| Matt 20:23 | It is not mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father. | Jesus differentiating authority regarding His kingdom positions |
| Luke 1:32-33 | He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High... and his kingdom will have no end. | Prophecy of Jesus' eternal kingdom |
| Isa 9:7 | Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end... upon David and over his kingdom. | Messianic prophecy of an everlasting kingdom |
| Dan 2:44 | And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall not be destroyed... | Prophecy of a heavenly, everlasting kingdom replacing earthly ones |
| Matt 6:10 | Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. | Jesus' model prayer including the kingdom's coming |
| John 18:36 | My kingdom is not of this world. | Jesus explaining the nature of His kingdom to Pilate |
| Rev 11:15 | Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever." | Prophetic culmination of Christ's reign |
| Mark 12:34 | You are not far from the kingdom of God. | Jesus acknowledging understanding of the kingdom |
| Luke 11:2 | Pray then like this: "Your kingdom come..." | Instructions on praying for the kingdom |
| John 2:16 | Take these things away; do not make my Father's house a house of trade. | Jesus' action in the temple, referencing His Father's house |
| 1 Cor 15:24-28 | Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father... | Christ's ultimate triumph and kingdom consummation |
| Phil 2:9-11 | Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name... | Christ's exaltation and universal dominion |
| Heb 1:3 | ...and upholding the universe by his word of power... | Christ's role in sustaining creation |
| 1 Pet 3:22 | ...who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him. | Christ's ascension and subjection of all powers to Him |
| John 18:38 | Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” | Pilate's detachment from divine truth contrasted with Jesus' kingdom |
Acts 12 verses
Acts 12 17 Meaning
Jesus, seeing the crowd and the disciples, immediately entered into a discourse about the kingdom of God. He transitioned from the disciples' question about restoring the kingdom to Israel to a broader theological teaching about His own future reign and the disciples' future participation in it. This signifies that the kingdom's inauguration was not to be a physical, political restoration of earthly power for Israel as they expected, but rather a spiritual kingdom centered on Christ's rule, inaugurated at Pentecost and extending through His followers. The reference to "my Father's business" points to His divine mission and inherent authority, contrasting with earthly rulers. The immediacy of "And Jesus went to the temple" suggests a continued focus on the religious center as the locus of God's activity, even as He expands the concept of the kingdom.
Acts 12 17 Context
The preceding verses in Luke detail the disciples' question to Jesus about the restoration of the kingdom to Israel, indicating their persistent, yet limited, understanding of a political and temporal reign. Jesus' response in Acts 1:7-8 shifts their focus to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and their role as witnesses for the gospel. This verse marks Jesus' departure from that direct conversation to further elaborate on the nature and timing of His kingdom, not tied to immediate national restoration. The statement that He went to the temple shows His continued engagement with Jewish religious life and institutions, a point of tension and transition as the new covenant is being established. The disciples are still grappling with Old Testament prophecies and earthly expectations concerning the Messiah.
Acts 12 17 Word Analysis
- And (καὶ - kai): Conjunction, indicating a connection to the previous narrative or a continuation of action.
- Jesus (Ἰησοῦς - Iēsous): The central figure, Christ, the Son of God.
- went (εἰσῆλθεν - eiselthēn): Aorist tense, past action. Lit. "went in," suggesting entering a place, specifically the temple.
- to (εἰς - eis): Preposition indicating motion into a place.
- the temple (τὸ ἱερόν - to hieron): The sacred precinct, specifically the Second Temple complex in Jerusalem. This location held immense religious significance for the Jews.
- and (καὶ - kai): Connects His action in the temple with His discourse.
- as (ὥς - hōs): Adverbial particle of manner, time, or degree. Here, it introduces the description of His actions or state.
- His (αὐτοῦ - autou): Possessive pronoun, referring to Jesus.
- custom (ἔθος - ethos): Custom, habit, practice. Implies that Jesus regularly attended the temple and engaged in its worship. This is also highlighted in Luke's prologue.
- was (ἦν - ēn): Imperfect tense of 'to be'. Suggests a continuous state or habitual action in the past.
- he: Refers back to Jesus.
- did (ἐποίει - epoiei): Imperfect tense of 'to do' or 'to make.' Indicating repeated or continuous action.
- to do (ποιεῖν - poiein): To do, make, perform.
- his (αὐτοῦ - autou): Possessive pronoun.
- Father's (πατρός - patros): Genitive case of 'father'. Indicates His relationship with God the Father, emphasizing divine lineage and mission.
- business (πραγματείας - pragmateias): Business, undertaking, affair. Used by Jesus in Luke 2:49 when speaking about His Father's work or mission. In this context, it underscores His divine purpose and responsibility.
Words-Group Analysis
- "Jesus went to the temple": This phrase anchors Jesus' activities in the physical and spiritual heart of Israel. It links His teachings to the established framework of Jewish worship, while implicitly beginning to redefine its ultimate meaning through His presence and discourse.
- "as His custom was": This establishes Jesus as a faithful observer of Jewish law and tradition, prior to the full inauguration of the New Covenant. It underlines His identity within the Jewish context, making His subsequent teachings on the Kingdom more impactful.
- "to do His Father's business": This profound statement in Luke 2:49 (echoed thematically here) signifies Jesus' primary allegiance and purpose, which was aligned with the will and work of God. It sets His mission apart from any political agenda of His followers and frames His earthly existence as a divine undertaking.
Acts 12 17 Bonus Section
The Greek word "pragmateia" (πραγματείας) carries a sense of serious undertaking or engagement in a matter of importance, fitting for the divine purpose of the Son of God. It is related to "pragma" (πρᾶγμα), meaning a deed or an affair. In Luke 2:49, His mother finds Him discussing theology with the rabbis in the temple, which He describes as being about His Father's "pragmateia." This connection strongly implies that Jesus' very essence and activity were about fulfilling the divine plan. His "going to the temple" was not merely ritual but an active participation in the unfolding of God’s eternal kingdom, a kingdom that transcends the physical boundaries of any earthly temple or nation.
Acts 12 17 Commentary
This verse, linked to Luke 2:49, powerfully asserts Jesus' divine identity and mission from a young age. It highlights His unwavering commitment to His Father's purpose, distinct from the temporal concerns of men. Even as the disciples were preoccupied with earthly kingdom restoration, Jesus' focus remained on His divine mandate. His regular attendance at the temple demonstrated continuity with Old Testament worship, but His purpose in "doing His Father's business" foreshadowed a new understanding of God’s interaction with humanity through Himself. This was not about the politics of Israel but the divine economy of salvation. His activity was rooted in heavenly authority and destined for an eternal, spiritual kingdom, as further explained by His teaching on the kingdom following this.