Acts 12:7
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.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἄγγελος
the angel
G32
ἄγγελος
the angel
Strong's:
G32
Word #:
3 of 31
compare g0034) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor
κυρίου
of the Lord
G2962
κυρίου
of the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
4 of 31
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
ἐπέστη
came upon
G2186
ἐπέστη
came upon
Strong's:
G2186
Word #:
5 of 31
to stand upon, i.e., be present (in various applications, friendly or otherwise, usually literal)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
6 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
φῶς
a light
G5457
φῶς
a light
Strong's:
G5457
Word #:
7 of 31
luminousness (in the widest application, natural or artificial, abstract or concrete, literal or figurative)
ἔλαμψεν
shined
G2989
ἔλαμψεν
shined
Strong's:
G2989
Word #:
8 of 31
to beam, i.e., radiate brilliancy (literally or figuratively)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Πέτρου
Peter
G4074
Πέτρου
Peter
Strong's:
G4074
Word #:
17 of 31
a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle
ἤγειρεν
and raised
G1453
ἤγειρεν
and raised
Strong's:
G1453
Word #:
18 of 31
to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
19 of 31
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
λέγων,
saying
G3004
λέγων,
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
20 of 31
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Ἀνάστα
Arise up
G450
Ἀνάστα
Arise up
Strong's:
G450
Word #:
21 of 31
to stand up (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)
τάχει
G5034
τάχει
Strong's:
G5034
Word #:
23 of 31
a brief space (of time), i.e., (with g1722 prefixed) in haste
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
24 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐξέπεσον
fell off
G1601
ἐξέπεσον
fell off
Strong's:
G1601
Word #:
25 of 31
to drop away; specially, be driven out of one's course; figuratively, to lose, become inefficient
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
26 of 31
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
αἱ
G3588
αἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
27 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐκ
from
G1537
ἐκ
from
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
29 of 31
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
Cross References
Acts 16:26And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.Acts 5:19But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,Psalms 146:7Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners:Psalms 107:14He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder.Psalms 34:7The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.Acts 10:30And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,Acts 2:24Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.Ephesians 5:14Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.Luke 24:4And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:Luke 2:9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
Historical Context
The angel's rescue occurred the night before Peter's scheduled execution, showing God's perfect timing. Four quaternions (16 soldiers) guarding Peter (Acts 12:4) made human escape impossible, highlighting the miraculous nature of his deliverance.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this deliverance demonstrate God's power over seemingly impossible circumstances?
- Why does God sometimes deliver miraculously (Peter) but allow martyrdom (James)?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The angel's sudden appearance ('light shined in the prison') and physical intervention (striking Peter's side, loosing chains) demonstrates God's sovereignty over physical barriers and human authorities. The details emphasize the miracle's objective reality—Peter initially thought it a vision (Acts 12:9) but experienced genuine supernatural deliverance.