Acts 12:7 Meaning and Explanation
“And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →An angel of the Lord appears in sudden light, wakes Peter with a touch, and the chains fall from his hands.
What Does Acts 12:7 Mean?
Light shines in the cell, and a messenger from God stands over the sleeping apostle. Peter sleeps so deeply that the angel must strike his side to wake him; at the command 'Arise up quickly,' the chains drop from his wrists — and the soldiers on either side never stir.
No lock is picked and no guard bribed; the rescue is entirely God's doing, and Peter contributes nothing but half-awake obedience. Scripture loves this picture — light breaking into a dark place, bonds falling away at a word — because it is the shape of salvation itself: 'to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up' (Matthew 4:16). What men fasten, God can unfasten in a moment.
Acts 12:7 in the Original Language
patasso (πατάσσω), 'smote' -- to strike; the same verb describes the angel striking Herod in verse 23.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 12:7
What does Acts 12:7 mean?
An angel of the Lord appears in sudden light, wakes Peter with a touch, and the chains fall from his hands.