Acts 12:17
What does Acts 12:17 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 12:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 12:17 means
Peter motions for silence, then carefully recounts “how the Lord had brought him forth out of the prison.” He directs them to “Tell these things unto James, and to the brethren,” acknowledging leadership and the need to strengthen the wider church. This James is the other prominent James in Jerusalem, not the one recently executed. Peter then departs “to another place,” prudently avoiding capture and preventing further danger to the household. The focus remains on the Lord’s action, not on Peter’s courage. Testimony and wise discretion go hand in hand—the miracle is to be shared, and the servant is to be preserved for continued service.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But he made a sign to them with his hand to be quiet, and gave them an account of how the Lord had taken him out of prison. And he said, Give the news to James and the brothers. And then he went away.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and having beckoned to them with the hand to be silent, he declared to them how the Lord brought him out of the prison, and he said, `Declare to James and to the brethren these things;' and having gone forth, he went on to another place.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But 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.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And having made a sign to them with his hand to be silent, he related [to them] how the Lord had brought him out of prison; and he said, Report these things to James and to the brethren. And he went out and went to another place.
Context
After the initial shock of seeing Peter, the narrative turns to sober reflection and instruction. Peter’s account links the rescue directly to God, in line with verse 11. His directive to inform James and the brethren ensures that the church’s leaders know of God’s intervention. His departure closes the Jerusalem scene from Peter’s side and shifts attention to the consequences within Herod’s camp in verses 18–19, and then to Herod’s public display and judgment in verses 20–23.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 19:33
And they brought Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made a defence unto the people.
- John 13:24
Simon Peter therefore beckoneth to him, and saith unto him, Tell us who it is of whom he speaketh.
- Acts 15:13
And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Brethren, hearken unto me:
- Psalms 66:16
Come, and hear, all ye that fear God, And I will declare what he hath done for my soul.
- Luke 1:22
And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: and he continued making signs unto them, and remained dumb.
- Psalms 146:7
Who executeth justice for the oppressed; Who giveth food to the hungry. Jehovah looseth the prisoners;
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