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 12:17KJV
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Acts 12:17 (KJV)

What does Acts 12:17 mean?

Acts 12:17 describes Peter motioning with his hand for the gathered believers to be quiet, then explaining how the Lord had rescued him from prison. Peter instructs them to tell James and the other believers about his escape, and then he leaves for another place.

Peter is speaking to a group of Christians who had been praying for him while he was imprisoned. After his miraculous escape, Peter quickly tells them what happened, emphasizing that it was the Lord’s doing. He specifically asks them to inform James (the brother of Jesus, a leader in the Jerusalem church) and the other believers, showing the importance of keeping the community informed. Peter then departs to avoid further danger.

The Greek behind Acts 12:17

  • The word for "beckoning" (κατασείω, kataseió) means to motion or signal, often with the hand, to get attention or ask for silence. This shows Peter’s urgency and the need for quiet, likely because of the danger surrounding his escape.
  • The Greek for "hold their peace" (σιγάω, sigaó) means to be silent or quiet. Peter is asking for calm so he can speak clearly and quickly.
  • The word for "declared" (διηγέομαι, diēgéomai) means to explain or relate in detail. Peter is not just announcing his escape but giving a careful account of how it happened, highlighting God’s intervention.
  • The word for "departed" (ἐξέρχομαι, exerchomai) means to go out or leave. This suggests Peter’s need to move on for his safety, not just a casual exit.

Why Acts 12:17 matters

  • Acts 12:17 clears up that Peter’s escape was not just a personal event but something meant to be shared with the wider church, especially its leaders.
  • The verse emphasizes the real danger Peter and the early Christians faced, explaining why Peter left quickly after his escape.
  • This moment connects to the larger story in Acts, showing how God’s intervention is recognized and communicated within the early Christian community, strengthening their faith and unity.

Where else these words appear

“beckoning” Greek G2678 · used in 4 verses

  • Acts 13:16 Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.
  • Acts 19:33 And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people.
  • Acts 21:40 And when he had given him licence, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying,

“declared” Greek G1334 · used in 8 verses

  • Mark 5:16 And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine.
  • Luke 8:39 Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.
  • Acts 8:33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.

“peace” Greek G4601 · used in 9 verses

  • Luke 9:36 And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.
  • Acts 15:12 Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.
  • 1 Corinthians 14:28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

“brought” Greek G1806 · used in 13 verses

  • Mark 8:23 And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought.
  • Acts 5:19 But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,
  • Acts 16:37 But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out.