Acts 12:11
And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 30
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Πέτρος
when Peter
G4074
Πέτρος
when Peter
Strong's:
G4074
Word #:
3 of 30
a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle
γενόμενος
was come
G1096
γενόμενος
was come
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
4 of 30
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
ἑαυτῷ
himself
G1438
ἑαυτῷ
himself
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
6 of 30
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
Νῦν
Now
G3568
Νῦν
Now
Strong's:
G3568
Word #:
8 of 30
"now" (as adverb of date, a transition or emphasis); also as noun or adjective present or immediate
οἶδα
I know
G1492
οἶδα
I know
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
9 of 30
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
11 of 30
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἐξαπέστειλεν
hath sent
G1821
ἐξαπέστειλεν
hath sent
Strong's:
G1821
Word #:
12 of 30
to send away forth, i.e., (on a mission) to despatch, or (peremptorily) to dismiss
κύριος
the Lord
G2962
κύριος
the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
13 of 30
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἄγγελον
angel
G32
ἄγγελον
angel
Strong's:
G32
Word #:
15 of 30
compare g0034) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor
αὐτοῦ
G846
αὐτοῦ
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
16 of 30
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
17 of 30
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐξείλετο
hath delivered
G1807
ἐξείλετο
hath delivered
Strong's:
G1807
Word #:
18 of 30
actively, to tear out; middle voice, to select; figuratively, to release
ἐκ
out of
G1537
ἐκ
out of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
20 of 30
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
χειρὸς
the hand
G5495
χειρὸς
the hand
Strong's:
G5495
Word #:
21 of 30
the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
23 of 30
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
25 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
προσδοκίας
the expectation
G4329
προσδοκίας
the expectation
Strong's:
G4329
Word #:
26 of 30
apprehension (of evil); by implication, infliction anticipated
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
27 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λαοῦ
of the people
G2992
λαοῦ
of the people
Strong's:
G2992
Word #:
28 of 30
a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)
Cross References
Daniel 6:22My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.Daniel 3:28Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.2 Peter 2:9The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:Psalms 34:7The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.Acts 5:19But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,Psalms 33:18Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;Luke 15:17And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!Acts 12:7And, 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.Psalms 97:10Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.Psalms 109:31For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those that condemn his soul.
Historical Context
Coming to himself after passing guards and gate (Acts 12:10), Peter realized his deliverance wasn't a dream but divine rescue. He immediately went to the prayer meeting at Mary's house (Acts 12:12), fulfilling God's purpose in delivering him—to strengthen the church.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we discern between divine intervention and natural circumstances in our experiences?
- What should our response be when we recognize God's clear deliverance?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Peter's declaration 'Now I know of a surety that the Lord hath sent his angel' shows his initial confusion transformed to certain recognition. The phrase 'delivered me out of the hand of Herod' attributes salvation to divine intervention, not chance. Peter's understanding of God's rescue from 'all the expectation of the people' acknowledges popular desire for his execution.