Acts 12:18

Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.

Now {G1161} as soon as it was {G1096} day {G2250}, there was {G2258} no {G3756} small {G3641} stir {G5017} among {G1722} the soldiers {G4757}, what {G5101}{G686} was become {G1096} of Peter {G4074}.

When daylight came, there was no small commotion among the soldiers over what had become of Kefa.

At daybreak there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter.

Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.

Commentary

Context

This verse immediately follows the dramatic account of Peter's miraculous escape from prison. King Herod Agrippa I, seeking to consolidate power and appease Jewish leaders, had initiated a persecution against the early church, executing James, the brother of John. Seeing that this pleased the Jews, Herod proceeded to arrest Peter during the Passover festival, intending to bring him out to the people after Easter (Acts 12:3). Peter was heavily guarded, bound with two chains, and kept between two soldiers, with additional sentries at the door. However, in response to the fervent prayers of the church (Acts 12:5), an angel of the Lord miraculously appeared, released his chains, and led Peter directly out of the prison (Acts 12:7-10). This verse describes the chaotic scene the very next morning from the perspective of the Roman soldiers who were suddenly confronted with a missing, high-profile prisoner.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty Over Human Authority: The "stir" among the soldiers powerfully demonstrates that no human security measure, however stringent, can thwart God's sovereign will. Peter's escape was not due to human ingenuity but to a divine act, rendering the soldiers' efforts futile and their meticulous guarding irrelevant.
  • Consequences of Failure: For Roman soldiers, losing a prisoner, especially one under such high-profile guard, was a grave offense often punishable by death. The "no small stir" reflects their immediate understanding of the severe repercussions they faced, foreshadowing Herod's subsequent judgment against them. Their panic underscores the seriousness of their predicament.
  • Answered Prayer: The commotion among the soldiers is a direct outcome of the church's persistent prayer for Peter. God's answer to their prayers created this crisis for Peter's captors, highlighting the tangible impact of prayer in the face of persecution.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "no small stir" (οὐκ ὀλίγος τάραχος, ouk olígos tárakhos) is a classic example of a Greek literary device called litotes, which uses a double negative to express an emphatic positive. It literally means "not a little disturbance," but it strongly conveys that there was a very great commotion or a significant uproar among the soldiers. This intentional understatement highlights the intense alarm, confusion, and panic felt by those responsible for Peter's custody, emphasizing the magnitude of the problem they suddenly faced.

Practical Application

This event reminds believers of God's immense power to deliver His people from seemingly insurmountable obstacles. When facing situations where human efforts seem insufficient, or danger looms, this passage encourages reliance on divine intervention and the power of prayer. It teaches that God's purposes will prevail, even against powerful earthly rulers and their elaborate security systems. The "stir" among the soldiers serves as a powerful testament to the reality that God is actively working behind the scenes, often in ways that disrupt the plans of those who oppose Him, demonstrating His faithfulness to His church.

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Cross-References

  • Acts 5:22

    But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told,

  • Acts 5:25

    Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.

  • Acts 16:27

    And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.

  • Acts 19:23

    And the same time there arose no small stir about that way.
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