Acts 12 18

Acts 12:18 kjv

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

Acts 12:18 nkjv

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

Acts 12:18 niv

In the morning, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter.

Acts 12:18 esv

Now when day came, there was no little disturbance among the soldiers over what had become of Peter.

Acts 12:18 nlt

At dawn there was a great commotion among the soldiers about what had happened to Peter.

Acts 12 verses

Acts 12 18 Meaning

When the guards, specifically the soldiers stationed for his protection, woke up after Peter's miraculous escape from prison, they found him gone. The reality of his absence, especially after Herod Antipas had publicly promised him to the people, left them utterly perplexed and with no explanation.

Acts 12 18 Context

This verse follows the account of Peter's miraculous release from prison by an angel, a direct answer to the church's earnest prayers (Acts 12:5). King Herod Antipas had arrested Peter and the church was actively praying for his deliverance, intending to present Peter to the people after Passover. Peter's escape and the subsequent discovery by the guards create a dramatic moment of bewilderment for Herod and his men. The guards had failed in their duty to keep Peter secure, which carried severe penalties. The disbelief and confusion expressed highlight the extraordinary nature of Peter's escape and underscore God's powerful intervention on behalf of His servant. This event occurs within the broader narrative of the early church's growth and persecution under Herod's rule, demonstrating both the intense opposition faced and God's ongoing protection and furtherance of the gospel.

Acts 12 18 Word Analysis

• δὲ (de): "but," "and," "now." A postpositive conjunction that connects sentences or clauses, indicating a transition or contrast. Here, it introduces the consequence of Peter's escape after the guards had secured him.
• γενομένους (genomenous): Perfect passive participle of γίνομαι (ginomai), meaning "to become," "to happen," "to be." It signifies "when they had become," referring to the soldiers waking up and realizing the situation.
• ἐγρηγορότας (egregorontas): Perfect active participle of ἐγείρω (egeiro), meaning "to awake," "to be watchful." Here it describes the state of the guards upon waking – they were alert or had just become alert.
• εὑρέθη (heurēthē): 3rd person singular aorist passive indicative of εὑρίσκω (heuriskō), meaning "to find," "to discover." It indicates that Peter "was found" absent, highlighting the discovery of his disappearance.
• πρός (pros): "to," "with," "towards." Indicates direction or relation. Here it connects the state of finding to Peter himself – they found Peter.
• αὐτὸν (auton): 3rd person singular masculine accusative pronoun, "him." Refers to Peter.
• οὐ (ou): "not."
• εὑρέθη (heurēthē): Repeated verb, emphasizing that Peter was not found present in his cell.
• ἐν (en): "in," "on," "with." Preposition indicating location.
• τῇ (tē): Definite article, feminine genitive singular, "the."
• φυλακῇ (phylakē): "guard," "watch," "prison." Here, "prison" or "cell."
• καὶ (kai): "and." Conjunction connecting the discovery of Peter's absence with the resulting perplexity of the guards.
• προσελθόντες (proselthontes): Aorist active participle of προσέρχομαι (proserchomai), meaning "to come to," "to approach." Describes the soldiers approaching and investigating, or approaching each other to discuss.
• οἱ (hoi): Definite article, masculine nominative plural, "the."
• φύλακες (phylakes): "guards," "soldiers on watch." The men responsible for Peter's custody.
• ἀπαγγέλλουσιν (apangellousin): 3rd person plural present active indicative of ἀπαγγέλλω (apangello), meaning "to report," "to announce," "to tell." They reported the incident.
• πρὸς (pros): "to," "with," "towards." Indicates to whom the report was made.
• αὐτὸν (auton): 3rd person singular masculine accusative pronoun, "him." Refers to Herod.
• ἀπαγγέλλουσιν (apangellousin): Same verb, indicating the action of reporting the absence.
• εἰπόντες (eipontes): Aorist active participle of λέγω (lego), meaning "to say," "to tell." Following the action of reporting, this implies what they said.
• ὅτι (hoti): "that." Introducing the content of the report.
• ἐξεπήδησεν (exephēdēsen): 3rd person singular aorist active indicative of ἐκπηδάω (ekpēdaō), meaning "to leap out," "to spring out." Describes the manner of Peter's escape, emphasizing a swift and decisive exit.
• ἀπέδρα (apedra): 3rd person singular aorist active indicative of ἀποδιδράσκω (ap didrasko), meaning "to flee away," "to escape." A synonym of ἐξεπήδησεν, reinforcing the idea of successful escape, literally "fled away from."

Words Group Analysis

• "But when they had become watchful, they found him not in the prison": This phrase combines the immediate past action of the guards waking (or becoming alert) with the stark reality of Peter's absence. It sets up the moment of shock and confusion.
• "and having approached, the guards reported to him, saying...": This sequence shows the guards' reaction. They didn't just find him gone; they immediately sought to inform their superior, Herod, demonstrating the gravity of their failure.
• "that he leaped out and fled away": The repetition and use of two strong verbs (ἐξεπήδησεν and ἀπέδρα) vividly depict Peter's quick and successful escape from the secure confines of the prison.

Acts 12 18 Bonus Section

The phrase "leaped out and fled away" (ἐξεπήδησεν καὶ ἀπέδρα) could suggest that Peter, even after the angel's physical intervention, was given a measure of speed or ability to quickly move through the city and reach safety. Some commentaries suggest the guards' immediate reaction was not just shock but also fear of Herod's wrath, as the penalty for losing a prisoner, especially under such public circumstances, was death. The Greek phrasing highlights a complete and swift evasion that baffled the human observers, pointing to supernatural assistance.

Acts 12 18 Commentary

The guards' stunned disbelief upon finding Peter gone emphasizes the miraculous nature of his escape. They had followed all protocol, yet the prisoner vanished. Their report to Herod, using strong verbs like "leaped out and fled away," conveyed the impossibility of the situation from their perspective. This escape was not through human means, but divine intervention via an angel. Their subsequent fate—likely severe punishment for losing a prisoner of state, especially one on whom Herod had set his public intentions—is implied by their predicament. The guards' perplexity contrasts sharply with the likely joy and amazement of the church, whose prayers were answered. This event serves as a powerful testament to God's sovereignty over earthly powers and His protection of those who serve Him, even in the face of intense persecution.