Acts 12:7-10 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Bible Comments

And behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him Greek, επεστη, stood over him; and a light shined in the prison Εν τω οικηματι, in the house, the whole house in which he was confined; and he smote Greek, παταξας, having smote, Peter on the side He awoke him; saying, Arise up quickly. And, in that moment, his chains With which his right arm was bound to one of the soldiers, and his left to the other, fell off The soldiers, in the mean time, being by a miraculous power kept so fast asleep, that they were not at all alarmed by the noise of their fall. And the angel said, Gird thyself, &c. Probably Peter had put off his girdle, sandals, and upper garment before he lay down to sleep. And he went out Of the prison, as he was guided by the angel, meeting with no opposition in his way; and wist not That what appeared to him to be done was real, but supposed that he was in a dream, or saw a vision. When they were past the first and second ward At each of which, doubtless, was a guard of soldiers, who, however, were all asleep; they came unto the iron gate leading into the city Which, though a heavy gate, and very strongly fastened, yet was no hinderance in their way; but opened of its own accord Without Peter or the angel touching it. And they passed on through one street That Peter might know which way to go. And forthwith the angel Having done all that was requisite for his deliverance, and set him at full liberty; departed from him Peter being himself sufficient for what remained to be done.

Acts 12:7-10

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.

8 And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.

9 And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.

10 When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.