Acts 12:17 - But he, beckoning to them with his hand to be silent, declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. He said, “Tell these things to James, and to the brothers.” Then he departed, and went to another place.
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What does "Acts 12:17" mean?
This verse describes a pivotal moment in the story of Peter's miraculous escape from prison in Acts 12. Let's break it down:
"But he, beckoning to them with his hand to be silent...": Peter, having escaped from prison, arrives at the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where a group of believers is praying for him. He finds them in a state of heightened anxiety. He uses a hand gesture to quiet them down. This is crucial because he needs to explain what happened without attracting attention that could jeopardize his safety and the safety of the others.
"...declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison.": Peter then recounts his miraculous escape. He emphasizes that it was the Lord who intervened and delivered him, not his own cunning or strength. This highlights God's power and faithfulness to his people.
"He said, 'Tell these things to James, and to the brothers.'": Before leaving, Peter gives specific instructions.
"James": This likely refers to James, the brother of Jesus, who had become a leader in the Jerusalem church (and is the author of the book of James). He was a key figure of authority and needed to know what had happened.
"and to the brothers": This refers to the wider community of believers in Jerusalem. They were also to be informed about the miracle.
"Then he departed, and went to another place.": Peter leaves the house of Mary, presumably to go into hiding in a different location. This is a strategic move for his own security and to avoid endangering the other believers. The Bible doesn't tell us specifically where he went, but it suggests that he left Jerusalem for a while.
In summary, the verse means that:
1. Peter escaped from prison through divine intervention.
2. He urgently informed the believers at Mary's house of his escape, emphasizing God's role.
3. He instructed them to report the news to James (the leader of the Jerusalem church) and to the rest of the Christian community.
4. He then left, going into hiding in order to evade re-arrest and avoid endangering the believers.
Significance:
God's Power and Faithfulness: The miraculous escape highlights God's power to intervene in impossible situations and His faithfulness to answer the prayers of His people.
Leadership and Communication: Peter's instruction to inform James shows the importance of leadership and communication within the early church. Important events needed to be shared with those in positions of authority.
Persecution and Survival: The story underscores the reality of persecution faced by early Christians. Peter had to remain hidden to avoid further suffering, underscoring the challenges the early church faced for their beliefs.
Transition of Leadership: Some see this moment as significant in the transition of leadership within the church. While Peter was a prominent Apostle, James the brother of Jesus was a key leader of the Jerusalem church, so keeping him informed was essential.
Acts 12:17 - But he, beckoning to them with his hand to be silent, declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. He said, “Tell these things to James, and to the brothers.” Then he departed, and went to another place.
What does "Acts 12:17" mean?
This verse describes a pivotal moment in the story of Peter's miraculous escape from prison in Acts 12. Let's break it down:
"But he, beckoning to them with his hand to be silent...": Peter, having escaped from prison, arrives at the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where a group of believers is praying for him. He finds them in a state of heightened anxiety. He uses a hand gesture to quiet them down. This is crucial because he needs to explain what happened without attracting attention that could jeopardize his safety and the safety of the others.
"...declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison.": Peter then recounts his miraculous escape. He emphasizes that it was the Lord who intervened and delivered him, not his own cunning or strength. This highlights God's power and faithfulness to his people.
"He said, 'Tell these things to James, and to the brothers.'": Before leaving, Peter gives specific instructions.
"James": This likely refers to James, the brother of Jesus, who had become a leader in the Jerusalem church (and is the author of the book of James). He was a key figure of authority and needed to know what had happened.
"and to the brothers": This refers to the wider community of believers in Jerusalem. They were also to be informed about the miracle.
"Then he departed, and went to another place.": Peter leaves the house of Mary, presumably to go into hiding in a different location. This is a strategic move for his own security and to avoid endangering the other believers. The Bible doesn't tell us specifically where he went, but it suggests that he left Jerusalem for a while.
In summary, the verse means that:
1. Peter escaped from prison through divine intervention.
2. He urgently informed the believers at Mary's house of his escape, emphasizing God's role.
3. He instructed them to report the news to James (the leader of the Jerusalem church) and to the rest of the Christian community.
4. He then left, going into hiding in order to evade re-arrest and avoid endangering the believers.
Significance:
God's Power and Faithfulness: The miraculous escape highlights God's power to intervene in impossible situations and His faithfulness to answer the prayers of His people.
Leadership and Communication: Peter's instruction to inform James shows the importance of leadership and communication within the early church. Important events needed to be shared with those in positions of authority.
Persecution and Survival: The story underscores the reality of persecution faced by early Christians. Peter had to remain hidden to avoid further suffering, underscoring the challenges the early church faced for their beliefs.
Transition of Leadership: Some see this moment as significant in the transition of leadership within the church. While Peter was a prominent Apostle, James the brother of Jesus was a key leader of the Jerusalem church, so keeping him informed was essential.