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But he, beckoning to them with his hand to be silent, declared to them how the Lord had brought him forth out of the prison. He said, "Tell these things to James, and to the brothers." He departed, and went to another place.

Verse Takeaways

1

Faith and Prudence

Commentators note that after his miraculous escape, Peter immediately takes practical steps for safety. He silences the joyful crowd to avoid alerting guards and then departs to "another place" to hide. This demonstrates a key Christian principle: trusting in God's miraculous power does not eliminate our responsibility to use wisdom and common sense. As one scholar puts it, God's providence leaves room for our prudence.

See 3 Verse Takeaways

Book Overview

Acts

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Commentaries

7

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes

On Acts 12:17

18th Century

Theologian

But he beckoning, etc. This was to prevent the noise, and tumult, and overwhelming emotion that was likely to be produced. His wish was no…

AT Robertson

AT Robertson

On Acts 12:17

There were probably loud exclamations of astonishment and joy.

Beckoning with the hand (κατασεισας τη χειρ). First aorist a…

Charles Ellicott

Charles Ellicott

On Acts 12:17

19th Century

Bishop

Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren.—The James, or Jacob, thus spoken of may have been either James the …

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Expositor's Bible Commentary

Expositor's Bible Commentary

On Acts 12:17

On entering, Peter “motioned with his hand for them to be quiet.” This was not the time for celebration. After all, Herod’s soldiers would soon be …

John Calvin

John Calvin

On Acts 12:17

16th Century

Theologian

Tell James and the brethren: By "brethren" I understand not everyone who was of the Church but the apostles and elders. For though it was …

John Gill

John Gill

On Acts 12:17

17th Century

Pastor

But he beckoning unto them with the hand
This is what the Jews call (hzymr) , "an hint" …

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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry

On Acts 12:12–19

17th Century

Minister

God's providence leaves room for the use of our prudence, though he has undertaken to perform and perfect what he has begun. These Christians conti…