Acts 12:17
But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.
Acts 12:17 · King James Version
Meaning
After being miraculously freed from prison by the Lord, the protagonist in this verse instructs his companions to share the news with James and the other believers. By beckoning them to hold their peace, he emphasizes the importance of spreading the message quietly and discreetly. This act of sharing the good news with others demonstrates the protagonist's faith and commitment to spreading the word of the Lord. The mention of James and the brethren highlights the significance of communal worship and support within the early Christian community. This verse serves as a reminder of the power of faith, perseverance, and the importance of sharing one's testimony with fellow believers. Ultimately, it portrays the protagonist as a faithful servant of the Lord, dedicated to spreading the message of God's love and salvation.
Theological Overview
In this verse, we see the apostle Peter recounting his miraculous escape from prison to the believers in Jerusalem. The action of beckoning to the believers with his hand and telling them to hold their peace indicates Peter's desire to share this incredible testimony with them. The theological interpretation of this verse underscores Peter's faith in God's ability to deliver him from a seemingly impossible situation. The mention of James, a key leader in the early church, highlights the importance of spreading the message of Peter's deliverance to the wider body of believers. The use of the word "brethren" signifies the unity and familial bond that existed among early Christians. Peter's departure to another place could be seen as a strategic move to avoid further persecution or to continue his ministry elsewhere. Overall, this verse serves as a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness to His followers and the importance of sharing our experiences of His deliverance with others.
Acts 12:17 in other translations
American Standard Version
But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him forth out of the prison. And he said, Tell these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went to another place.
World English Bible
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.
Douay-Rheims
But he, beckoning to them with his hand to hold their peace, told how the Lord had brought him out of prison. And he said: Tell these things to James and to the brethren. And going out, he went into another place.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And he beckened vnto them with the hand, to hold their peace, and told them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he saide, Goe shewe these things vnto Iames and to the brethren: and he departed and went into an other place.