Teks -- Acts 12:7 (NET)

12:7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared, and a light shone in the prison cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up, saying, “Get up quickly!” And the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Robertson: Act 12:7 - Stood by him

Stood by him ( epestē ).

Ingressive second aorist active indicative of ephistēmi , intransitive. This very form occurs in Luk 2:9 of the sudden appearance of the angel of the Lord to the shepherds. Page notes that this second aorist of ephistēmi occurs seven times in the Gospel of Luke, eight times in the Acts, and nowhere else in the N.T. Note also the same form apestē (departed from, from aphistēmi , stood off from) of the disappearance of the angel in Act 12:10.

Robertson: Act 12:7 - In the cell

In the cell ( en tōi oikēmati ).

Literally, a dwelling place or habitation (from oikeō , to dwell, oikos , house), but here not the prison as a whole as in Thucydides, but the room in the prison (cell) where Peter was chained to the two guards. Old word, but only here in the N.T.

Robertson: Act 12:7 - He smote Peter on the side

He smote Peter on the side ( pataxas tēn pleuran tou Petrou ).

More exactly, "smote the side of Peter."Strongly enough to wake Peter up who was sound asleep and yet not rouse the two guards. It was probably between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m., hours when changes in the guards were made.

Robertson: Act 12:7 - Rise up

Rise up ( anasta ).

Short form ( Koiné[28928]š ) of anastēthi , second aorist active imperative of anistēmi , intransitive. So also Act 9:11 (Westcott and Hort text); Eph 5:14.

Robertson: Act 12:7 - Fell off

Fell off ( exepesan ).

Second aorist active with a ending like first aorist of expiptō , old verb. This miracle was necessary if Peter was to escape without rousing the two guards.

Vincent: Act 12:7 - Came upon

Came upon ( ἐπέστη )

Better, as Rev., stood by. See on Act 4:1; and compare Luk 2:9.

Vincent: Act 12:7 - Prison

Prison ( οἰκήματι )

Not the prison, but the cell where Peter was confined. So, rightly, Rev.

Wesley: Act 12:7 - His chains

With which his right arm was bound to one of the soldiers, and his left arm to the other.

JFB: Act 12:7-11 - the angel of the Lord

Rather, "an angel."

JFB: Act 12:7-11 - came upon him

So in Luk 2:9, expressive of the unexpected nature of the visit.

JFB: Act 12:7-11 - smote Peter on the side . . . Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off . . . Gird thyself . . . And so he did . . . Cast thy garment

Tunic, which he had thrown off for the night.

Clarke: Act 12:7 - Smote Peter on the side

Smote Peter on the side - He struck him in such a way as was just sufficient to awake him from his sleep

Clarke: Act 12:7 - His chains fell off from his hands

His chains fell off from his hands - The chains mentioned above, by which he was bound to the two soldiers.

Calvin: Act 12:7 - A light shined,

7.A light shined, It is to be thought that Peter alone saw this light, and that the soldiers did either sleep so soundly, or else were so amazed, that they neither felt nor perceived any thing, And there might be two causes why God would have the light to shine; either that Peter might have the use thereof, and that the darkness might be no hindrance to him, or that it might be to him a sign and token of the heavenly glory. For we read oftentimes that the angels appeared with glistering brightness, even when the sun did shine, Assuredly, Peter might have gathered by the strange light that God was present, and also he ought to have made his profit thereof. When as the angel smiteth Peter’s side, it appeareth hereby what a care God hath for his, who watcheth over them when they sleep, and raiseth them when they are drowsy. And surely there were nothing more miserable than we, if the continuance of our prayers alone did keep God in his watching over us; for such is the infirmity of our flesh that we faint and quail, and we stand most of all in need of his help when our minds, being drawn away, do not seek him. Sleep is a certain image of death, and doth choke and drown all the senses, what should become of us if God should then cease to have respect to us? But forasmuch as when the faithful go to sleep, they commit their safety to God, it cometh to pass by this means, that even their sleep doth call upon God.

Whereas he saith, that immediately after the angel had said the word the chains were loosed, we gather by this, that there is power enough in the commandment of God alone to remove all manner [of] lets, when all ways seem to be stopt on all sides, so that if he intend to appease the motions and tumults of war, although the whole world were appointed in armor, their spears and swords shall forthwith fall out of their hands; on the other side, if he be determined to punish us and our sins with war, in a moment, (in the twinkling of an eye,) their minds, which were before given to peace, shall wax hot, and they shall lay hand on their swords. Whereas Luke setteth down severally both the words of the angel, and also the course of the matter, it serveth for the more certainty of the history, that it may in every respect appear that Peter was delivered by God.

Defender: Act 12:7 - angel of the Lord

Peter had experienced a similar angelic release from prison at least once before (Act 5:19), so he knew that God was still in control."

TSK: Act 12:7 - the angel // and a // Arise // And his

the angel : Act 12:23, Act 5:19, Act 10:30, Act 27:23, Act 27:24; 1Ki 19:5, 1Ki 19:7; Psa 34:7, Psa 37:32, Psa 37:33; Isa 37:30; Dan 6:22; Heb 1:14

and a : Act 9:3; 2Sa 22:29; Eze 43:2; Mic 7:9; Hab 3:4, Hab 3:11; Rev 18:1

Arise : Gen 19:15, Gen 19:16; Isa 60:1; Eph 5:14

And his : The two chains with which his hands were fastened to those of the two soldiers between whom he slept. This, it appears, was the Roman method of securing a prisoner, and seems to be what is intimated in Act 12:6. Act 12:6, Act 2:24, Act 16:26; Psa 105:18-20, Psa 107:14, Psa 116:16, Psa 142:6, Psa 142:7, Psa 146:7; Dan 3:24, Dan 3:25

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: Act 12:7 - The angel of the Lord // Came upon him // A light shined in the prison // His chains fell off from his hands

The angel of the Lord whose office it is to minister for the heirs of salvation, Heb 1:14 , and who willingly fulfil this will of the Lord.

Came upon him as Luk 2:9 , suddenly and unexpectedly.

A light shined in the prison whether this light was from the bright body the angel assumed, or from some other cause, we are not told, and therefore it is not necessary for us to know; but it was a light only to Peter, but darkness to his keepers; as the pillar of fire enlightened only the Israelites; which made them both the more strange and miraculous.

The angel smote Peter (as one jogs, or gently strikes another) to awaken him; thus God was waking, though Peter slept; and by his providence watches over all his people for their preservation.

His chains fell off from his hands chains could not hold any whom God will have free; every thing loses its force when God suspends or withdraws his concurrence.

Haydock: Act 12:7 - An Angel // A light shined in the room

An Angel. This was probably his Angel guardian. It has always been the constant belief of the Church, that each individual is put under the protection of a tutelar Angel. (Haydock) ---

St. Bernard, on these words of the psalm, he has given his Angels charge over thee, thus expresses himself: Wonderful condescension! and truly great love! He has given his Angels charge over thee, to guard thee in all thy ways. What is man, O God, that thou shouldst thus be mindful of him, or the son of man, that thou shouldst look upon him! What reverence, devotion, and confidence, should this word inspire in us! Reverence their presence, be grateful for their good will; have confidence in their protection; walk with circumspection; your Angel is present. In every abode, in every place, respect his presence. Let us love them too, destined to be in future our co-heirs; in the mean time, our guardians and patrons. What have we to fear under such guides? They cannot be overcome nor seduced; much less can they lead us astray. They are faithful, they are prudent, they are powerful. Why do we fear? Let us follow them; let us stick close to them; and we shall dwell under the protection of the God of heaven. If a grievous temptation urges; if great tribulation hangs over you; call upon your leader your helper in opportunities, in tribulations; call upon him, and say, save us, or we perish, &c. (St. Bernard, Serm. in Psalm. Qui habitat.) ---

A light shined in the room. To Peter only; not to the rest. (Witham)

Gill: Act 12:7 - 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

And behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him,.... Suddenly and at once, and stood by him; this was one of the ministering spirits sent forth by Christ, to minister to a servant of his:

and a light shined in the prison; the Syriac version renders it, "in the whole house"; and the word that is used does signify an habitation, or a dwelling house properly, but is used also by the Greek writers ^f for a prison: this was an uncommon light produced by the angel, partly as an emblem of the presence, majesty, and power of God, who was present, to work a great deliverance; and partly for the use of Peter, that when being awaked he might see to rise and walk by:

and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up; he touched him on that side which lay uppermost, or punched him on it, in order to awake him, and raise him out of his sleep:

saying arise up quickly; without delay, make haste:

and his chains fell off from his hands; from both his hands, and were left with the soldiers, between whom he slept; which must be ascribed to an almighty power, which caused them to drop off.