Acts 12:16
But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 11
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Πέτρος
Peter
G4074
Πέτρος
Peter
Strong's:
G4074
Word #:
3 of 11
a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle
ἐπέμενεν
continued
G1961
ἐπέμενεν
continued
Strong's:
G1961
Word #:
4 of 11
to stay over, i.e., remain (figuratively, persevere)
ἀνοίξαντες
when they had opened
G455
ἀνοίξαντες
when they had opened
Strong's:
G455
Word #:
6 of 11
to open up (literally or figuratively, in various applications)
εἶδον
the door and saw
G1492
εἶδον
the door and saw
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
8 of 11
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
9 of 11
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
Historical Context
Stood up indicated speaker taking floor. Beckoning with hand commanded attention (common ancient rhetorical gesture). Men of Israel addressed ethnic Jews. Ye that fear God identified Gentile God-fearers—attracted to Judaism but uncircumcised. This dual address around 48 CE characterized Paul's synagogue strategy—reaching both audiences simultaneously with unified gospel message. The inclusion foreshadowed his emphasis on Jew-Gentile unity in Christ.
Questions for Reflection
- How does physical gesture enhance public communication?
- What does inclusive address teach about universal gospel appeal?
- In what ways did Paul adapt message delivery to mixed audiences?
- Why address both Jews and Gentiles together?
- What does including God-fearers demonstrate about gospel's ethnic transcendence?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience. Paul's physical gesture and dual address—Jews and God-fearers—demonstrates inclusive approach reaching both covenant community and sympathetic Gentiles.