Acts 12:16

But Peter continued knocking. When they had opened, they saw him, and were amazed.

World English Bible
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Other translations

WEBBE

But Peter continued knocking. When they had opened, they saw him and were amazed.

BSB

But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astounded.

KJV

But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.

ASV

But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened, they saw him, and were amazed.

BBE

But Peter went on giving blows on the door: and when it was open and they saw him, they were full of wonder.

Original Greek

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ὁ ho (the) G3588 δὲ de But G1161 Πέτρος Petros Peter G4074 ἐπέμενεν epemenen was continuing G1961 κρούων krouōn knocking G2925 ἀνοίξαντες anoixantes having opened [it] G455 δὲ de then G1161 εἶδαν eidan they saw G1492 αὐτὸν auton him G846 καὶ kai and G2532 ἐξέστησαν exestēsan were amazed G1839

The early church

But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished. 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 show these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.
John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on Acts
But when he continued knocking, and when they had opened, and saw him, they were astonished. But he beckoning to them with his hand made them keep quiet, to hear all that had happened to him. He was now an object of more affectionate desire to the disciples, not only in consequence of his being saved, but by his sudden coming in upon them and straightway departing. Now, both his friends learn all clearly; and the aliens also learn, if they had a mind, but they had not. The same thing happened in the case of Christ. "Tell these things," he says, "to James, and to the brethren." How free from all vainglory! Nor did he say, Make known these things to people everywhere, but, "to the brethren. And he withdrew to another place:" for he did not tempt God, nor fling himself into temptation: since, when they were commanded to do this, then they did it. "Go," it was said, "speak in the temple to the people." But this the Angel said not here; on the contrary, by silently removing him and bringing him out by night, he gave him free permission to withdraw - and this too is done, that we may learn that many things are providentially brought about after the manner of men - so that he should not again fall into peril.
John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on Acts
And he said, Tell James and the brethren. That they may rejoice: that they may not be anxious. Through these those learn, not those through him: such thought had he for the humbler part!
John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on Acts
For that they may not say, "It was his Angel," after he was gone, they say this first, and then they see himself overthrowing their notion of the matter. Had it been the Angel, he would have knocked at the door, would not have retired to another place. And what followed in the day, make them sure.
John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on Acts

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 12–19

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 continued in prayer for Peter, for they were truly in earnest. Thus men ought always to pray, and not to faint. As long as we are kept waiting for a mercy, we must continue praying for it. But sometimes that which we most earnestly wish for, we are most backward to believe. The Christian law of self-denial and of suffering for Christ, has not done away the natural law of caring for our own safety by lawful means. In times of public danger, all believers have God for their hiding-place; which is so secret, that the world cannot find them. Also, the instruments of persecution are themselves exposed to danger; the wrath of God hangs over all that engage in this hateful work. And the range of persecutors often vents itself on all in its way.

Read Matthew Henry on Acts 12 →

Cross-references

1

People & places

Simon

Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.