Acts 12 7

Acts 12:7 kjv

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.

Acts 12:7 nkjv

Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, "Arise quickly!" And his chains fell off his hands.

Acts 12:7 niv

Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. "Quick, get up!" he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists.

Acts 12:7 esv

And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, "Get up quickly." And the chains fell off his hands.

Acts 12:7 nlt

Suddenly, there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter. The angel struck him on the side to awaken him and said, "Quick! Get up!" And the chains fell off his wrists.

Acts 12 verses

Acts 12 7 Meaning

Acts 12:7 vividly portrays a dramatic, divinely orchestrated rescue. It describes the instantaneous appearance of an angel, a brilliant light illuminating a dark prison cell, and the miraculous unbinding of Peter's chains after a gentle touch. This verse signifies God's powerful intervention to liberate His chosen servant from imminent danger and certain execution, demonstrating divine sovereignty over human authority and physical confinement, all in direct answer to the fervent prayers of the early church.

Acts 12 7 Context

Acts chapter 12 details a severe period of persecution against the early Christian church initiated by Herod Agrippa I, who was seeking to appease Jewish leaders. This persecution began with the execution of James, the brother of John (Acts 12:2). Emboldened by this, Herod proceeded to arrest Peter during the Passover week, intending to execute him publicly after the festival. Peter was kept under heavy guard in prison, bound with chains between two soldiers, with additional guards at the door (Acts 12:4-6). The church, meanwhile, was engaged in fervent, unceasing prayer for Peter (Acts 12:5). Verse 7 marks the culmination of this intense situation, representing God's direct, supernatural response to those prayers, immediately preceding Peter's full miraculous escape from prison and Herod's eventual judgment.

Historically and culturally, Roman imprisonment was typically brutal and effective. Prisoners awaiting execution, especially those considered a threat to public order or Roman authority, would be heavily guarded. Peter's situation—chained between two soldiers and further secured—underscores the seemingly inescapable nature of his captivity. This context amplifies the miracle's magnitude, presenting God's power as vastly superior to the strongest human systems of control. The narrative directly contrasts Herod's temporal power, human chains, and dark prison with God's eternal power, angelic messengers, and divine light, highlighting the ultimate futility of human opposition to God's purposes for His church.

Acts 12 7 Word analysis

• And, behold (Καὶ ἰδοὺ, Kai idou): This emphatic phrase signals a sudden, startling, and often divinely significant event that immediately follows. It calls the reader's attention to a direct divine action that intervenes in human affairs.
• the angel of the Lord (ὁ ἄγγελος Κυρίου, ho angelos Kyriou): This specific designation identifies a divinely commissioned messenger directly representing God's authority. The term "Lord" (Kyriou) here typically refers to God or the resurrected Jesus, emphasizing that the intervention is from the highest authority. This "angel of the Lord" frequently appears in scripture for critical divine interventions (e.g., Gen 16:7; Judg 6:11; Acts 5:19).
• came upon him (ἐπέστη αὐτῷ, epéstē autō): This implies a sudden, unlooked-for appearance or presence. The angel did not walk in but appeared immediately beside Peter, reinforcing the supernatural nature of the event. It can also mean "stood by him," often indicating a helpful or authoritative presence (Lk 2:9, Acts 10:30).
• and a light (καὶ φῶς, kai phōs): Light, often dazzling, commonly accompanies divine or angelic manifestations in Scripture (Lk 2:9; Acts 9:3). It symbolizes God's presence, holiness, power, truth, and the vanquishing of darkness, both literal and metaphorical.
• shined in the prison (ἐν τῷ δεσμωτηρίῳ ἔλαμψεν, en tō desmōtēriō elampsen): The light specifically permeated the "desmōtēriō," a place of literal darkness, confinement, and despair. This act symbolizes divine presence dispelling all forms of oppression and hopelessness, demonstrating God's ability to reach and transform the most secure and darkest places.
• and a stroke on the side (πατάξας τὴν πλευρὰν, pataxantēn pleuran): "Patáxantas" implies a strike or tap, specifically "on the side." It was likely firm enough to wake someone from a deep sleep, but not violent or harmful. This gentle but effective physical interaction emphasizes Peter's profound sleep, suggesting either peace amid crisis or exhaustion, requiring direct angelic prompting to awaken.
• roused Peter (ἤγειρεν αὐτὸν Πέτρον, ēgeiren auton Petron): "Ēgeiren" means to raise, awaken, or stir up. The angel directly prompted Peter to wake, indicating that human consciousness alone would not have sufficed or been immediate enough. This also subtly links to themes of resurrection or being "raised" from death-like conditions.
• and he woke up (ἀνέστη, anestē): He "stood up" or "arose." This signifies Peter's immediate response and compliance, moving from a state of deep sleep to active wakefulness, ready to follow instructions.
• and his chains (καὶ αἱ ἁλύσεις αὐτοῦ, kai hai halyseis autou): "Halyseis" is plural, indicating that Peter was bound by multiple, heavy chains, typically linking him to two guards (Acts 12:6). These represent strong human efforts to restrain and secure him.
• fell off (ἐξέπεσον, exepeson): This signifies an immediate, effortless, and miraculous detachment. The chains did not break or require manipulation; they simply, supernaturally, ceased to hold Peter, illustrating the absolute ease with which divine power nullifies human constraints.
• his hands (ἐκ τῶν χειρῶν αὐτοῦ, ek tōn cheirōn autou): Specifically identifies the location of the binding, emphasizing the direct and complete release from physical restraint.

Word-groups by word-groups analysis:

• "And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him": This powerful opening highlights the immediate, personal, and authoritative divine intervention. God acts directly and specifically for Peter, without prior warning or external signs, surprising all human expectations and defying natural limitations.
• "and a light shined in the prison": The divine light dispels both the physical darkness of the dungeon and symbolizes the spiritual light of God's presence overcoming the oppressive darkness of persecution, fear, and hopelessness. It signifies that no environment, however hostile or secure, is beyond God's illuminating reach.
• "and a stroke on the side roused Peter, and he woke up": This shows the practical, physical interaction necessary to initiate the deliverance, indicating Peter's unawareness until directly awakened. It contrasts divine purpose with human unconsciousness or fatigue, yet underscores Peter's immediate responsiveness to the divine nudge.
• "and his chains fell off his hands": This is the climax of the immediate physical miracle. The spontaneous release from multiple, heavy chains underscores the omnipotence of God. It's a vivid display of supernatural power rendering human fortifications utterly impotent, achieving complete and instant liberation.

Acts 12 7 Bonus section

• Peter's Peace: The fact that Peter was sleeping so deeply despite impending execution (as described in the previous verse) highlights either profound peace from God or immense physical exhaustion. This stands in stark contrast to Herod's agitated state and further accentuates the miraculous nature of his waking.
• Divine Timing and Purpose: The angel's arrival on the very night before Peter's planned execution is critical. God's timing is perfect, preventing a seemingly inevitable tragic outcome, not just through general divine protection, but a specific, direct, and time-sensitive intervention. This demonstrates God's precision in executing His will.
• Symbolism of Light in Darkness: The sudden burst of light in the prison is a recurrent biblical motif for divine presence breaking through literal and metaphorical darkness (ignorance, despair, oppression). It announces the presence of God's redemptive power in the darkest places of human experience and physical confinement.
• God's Discernment of Value: While James was martyred, Peter was rescued. This illustrates that God's ways are not always ours. His choices of whom to deliver and whom to call home are based on His sovereign wisdom and greater plan, rather than a formulaic response to prayer or a linear progression of events. Both outcomes are within His divine will and contribute to the Kingdom's advancement.

Acts 12 7 Commentary

Acts 12:7 is a profound testament to God's sovereign power and faithfulness, delivered at a critical juncture for the nascent Christian church. Amidst intense persecution and the tragic loss of James, this verse vividly portrays God's direct and immediate response to corporate prayer. The entire scene underscores the theme that no earthly power—be it a king's decree, Roman chains, or heavily guarded prisons—can thwart God's ultimate plan or His chosen servants when their work is not yet finished. The appearance of the angel with accompanying light signifies a true "kairos" moment, a divinely appointed time of intervention. Peter's profound sleep highlights a remarkable peace in the face of death or simply exhaustion, yet he is awakened and released by divine initiative, not his own effort. The spontaneous dropping of the chains epitomizes miraculous liberation: complete, effortless, and without human aid. This deliverance was not just for Peter but served as a powerful sign to the church, affirming God's continued presence, power, and commitment to His people amidst severe trials. It calls believers to persistent prayer and unwavering faith, trusting that God intervenes even when situations appear humanly impossible.