Acts 12:18

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 12:18 vividly portrays the immediate aftermath of Peter's miraculous escape from prison, capturing the profound shock and confusion among the Roman soldiers responsible for his custody. As dawn broke, the discovery of Peter's disappearance ignited a significant uproar and intense bewilderment, highlighting the inexplicable nature of his vanishing act from a heavily guarded cell. This verse serves as a dramatic pivot, shifting the narrative focus from Peter's divine liberation to the earthly consequences faced by those who sought to imprison him, underscoring the futility of human opposition against God's sovereign will.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the dramatic climax of the narrative concerning Peter's imprisonment and miraculous release. It immediately follows the detailed account of an angel of the Lord appearing to Peter, releasing his chains, and guiding him past multiple guards and through an iron gate, all while Peter believed he was seeing a vision ([Acts 12:7-10](/acts/12-7-10 "Acts 12:7-10 - Peter's Miraculous Escape")). The preceding verses establish the intense prayer of the church for Peter ([Acts 12:5](/acts/12-5 "Acts 12:5 - The Church Prays for Peter")), King Herod Agrippa I's persecution of the early church, and the execution of James, John's brother ([Acts 12:1-2](/acts/12-1-2 "Acts 12:1-2 - Herod Persecutes the Church")). Thus, Acts 12:18 marks the moment the human authorities discover the divine intervention that thwarted their plans, setting the stage for Herod's furious reaction and subsequent judgment ([Acts 12:19](/acts/12-19 "Acts 12:19 - Herod's Judgment on the Guards")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Roman Empire maintained a stringent system of prisoner custody, especially for high-profile individuals like Peter, who was seen as a leader of a burgeoning, potentially subversive movement. Losing a prisoner, particularly one under a death sentence or awaiting trial, was considered a grave dereliction of duty for a Roman soldier, often punishable by death (cf. [Acts 16:27](/acts/16-27 "Acts 16:27 - The Jailer's Despair")). Peter was not only chained between two soldiers but also had additional guards at the door and outer gates ([Acts 12:6](/acts/12-6 "Acts 12:6 - Peter's Guarded Imprisonment")). The "stir" among the soldiers reflects their immediate and profound understanding of the severe personal consequences they faced, ranging from flogging to execution, for this monumental failure. King Herod Agrippa I, a politically astute ruler seeking to gain favor with the Jewish populace, would have been particularly incensed by this public embarrassment.

* **Key Themes:** Acts 12:18 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Acts and the broader biblical narrative. It underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty** over human authority, demonstrating that no human power, however formidable, can ultimately thwart God's purposes or contain His chosen servants. The "stir" among the soldiers is a direct consequence of God's miraculous intervention, highlighting the **Power of Prayer** as the catalyst for Peter's liberation and the subsequent disarray of his captors. Furthermore, it reinforces the theme of **God's Protection of His Church** against persecution, illustrating that even in the face of severe threats, God actively intervenes to preserve His people and advance His kingdom. This event serves as a stark contrast between the meticulous yet futile efforts of human systems and the effortless triumph of divine power, a motif seen throughout the book, such as in the apostles' earlier escape from prison in [Acts 5:19-20](/acts/5-19-20 "Acts 5:19-20 - Angelic Release from Prison").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Stir (Greek, _tárakhos'_):** Derived from a verb meaning "to disturb" or "to agitate," _tárakhos_ denotes a state of disturbance, confusion, or tumult. In this context, it refers to a significant popular or public commotion, an uproar. The use of this word emphasizes the widespread and intense nature of the disarray among the soldiers, indicating not just a minor concern but a profound and agitated reaction to Peter's disappearance.
* **Small (Greek, _olígos'_):** This adjective means "puny," "few," "little," or "brief." When combined with the negative particle "no" (G3756, _ou_), as in "no small stir," it forms a figure of speech known as litotes. This construction emphatically conveys the opposite meaning: not just "not small," but "very great" or "significant." Thus, the soldiers experienced a very great commotion or a profound disturbance.
* **Become (Greek, _gínomai'_):** This versatile verb means "to come into being," "to happen," "to arise," or "to become." It is used twice in this verse concerning Peter: "as soon as it was day" (referring to the day coming into being) and "what was become of Peter" (inquiring what had happened to him or where he had gone). The latter usage highlights the soldiers' utter bewilderment and inability to comprehend Peter's vanishing act, as if he simply ceased to be in their custody.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now as soon as it was day":** This phrase establishes the temporal setting, marking the transition from the darkness of night, during which Peter's miraculous escape occurred, to the light of dawn. The arrival of day signifies the time when the change of guard or routine checks would reveal Peter's absence, setting the stage for the ensuing chaos.
* **"there was no small stir among the soldiers":** This is the core of the verse, employing the literary device of litotes to emphasize the magnitude of the soldiers' reaction. It was not merely a minor disturbance but a very great commotion, an intense uproar, and a profound state of agitation and alarm among those responsible for Peter's security. This "stir" reflects their immediate realization of the severe consequences they faced.
* **"what was become of Peter":** This clause reveals the specific object of the soldiers' consternation: the inexplicable disappearance of their high-profile prisoner. Their question, "what was become of Peter," conveys their utter bewilderment and the impossibility of the situation from their perspective. It underscores the miraculous nature of Peter's escape, as it defied all human explanation and security measures.

#### Literary Devices
The most prominent literary device in Acts 12:18 is **Litotes**, found in the phrase "no small stir." This figure of speech uses a double negative ("no" + "small") to express an emphatic positive, meaning "a very great stir" or "a significant uproar." This intentional understatement powerfully conveys the intense alarm, confusion, and panic that gripped the Roman soldiers upon discovering Peter's absence. The use of litotes heightens the dramatic tension and emphasizes the profound impact of the miracle. Additionally, there is an element of **Dramatic Irony**, as the reader is fully aware of Peter's miraculous escape, while the soldiers are left in bewildered ignorance, desperately trying to comprehend the impossible. This contrast between the reader's knowledge and the characters' confusion amplifies the divine power at play.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 12:18 serves as a powerful testament to the futility of human opposition against God's sovereign will. The "stir" among the soldiers is a direct and dramatic consequence of divine intervention, demonstrating that no human security system, however stringent, can thwart the plans of the Almighty. This event underscores God's active involvement in the affairs of His people, particularly in times of persecution, reaffirming His commitment to protect and deliver those who serve Him. It highlights the stark contrast between the meticulous but ultimately powerless efforts of human authorities and the effortless, overwhelming power of God. The chaos and confusion among the guards are a visible manifestation of God's triumph over earthly powers that seek to suppress His kingdom.

* [Psalm 33:10-11](/psalms/33-10-11 "Psalm 33:10-11 - God's Counsel Stands")
* [Proverbs 21:30](/proverbs/21-30 "Proverbs 21:30 - No Wisdom Against the Lord")
* [Daniel 4:35](/daniel/4-35 "Daniel 4:35 - God Does as He Pleases")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The "no small stir" among the soldiers in Acts 12:18 offers profound lessons for believers facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles today. This scene vividly illustrates that God's power is not limited by human constraints, elaborate security measures, or the might of oppressive regimes. When we encounter situations that appear hopeless, where human efforts seem utterly insufficient, this passage encourages us to remember that our God is sovereign and capable of achieving the impossible. It calls us to place our trust not in our own ingenuity or strength, but in His divine intervention, often in response to fervent, persistent prayer. The panic of the soldiers serves as a powerful reminder that God is actively working behind the scenes, disrupting the plans of those who oppose Him and demonstrating His faithfulness to His church. This should inspire courage and unwavering faith, knowing that God's purposes will ultimately prevail, even when circumstances seem dire.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "stir" or disruption in your life or circumstances might God be orchestrating to reveal His sovereign power?**
* **How does the futility of the soldiers' efforts encourage you to trust God more fully when human solutions seem inadequate?**
* **In what areas of your life or ministry do you need to pray with the kind of fervent persistence that led to Peter's miraculous deliverance?**

### FAQ
**Why were the soldiers so disturbed by Peter's disappearance?**

Answer: The soldiers were in "no small stir" because losing a prisoner, especially one as high-profile and securely guarded as Peter, was an extremely grave offense under Roman military law. Such a failure typically carried severe penalties, often including the death penalty for the responsible guards. Peter was not only chained between two soldiers but also had additional sentries at the prison door and outer gates ([Acts 12:6](/acts/12-6 "Acts 12:6 - Peter's Imprisonment Details")). His disappearance, therefore, was inexplicable by human means and directly threatened their lives and careers. Their panic reflected the immediate and dire consequences they faced from King Herod Agrippa I, who was known for his harshness and political expediency, as evidenced by his earlier execution of James ([Acts 12:2](/acts/12-2 "Acts 12:2 - James' Execution")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 12:18, depicting the chaos among the soldiers over Peter's inexplicable disappearance, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate triumph of Christ's kingdom over all earthly opposition. Just as Peter was miraculously delivered from the bonds of Herod's prison, so too was Christ delivered from the bonds of death and the grave, demonstrating God's supreme power over all human and spiritual authorities ([Acts 2:24](/acts/2-24 "Acts 2:24 - God Raised Jesus")). The bewilderment of the soldiers mirrors the confusion and powerlessness of those who sought to contain the message of the gospel, ultimately failing to suppress the church that Christ promised to build ([Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - Peter, the Rock, and the Church")). Peter's liberation by an angel of the Lord is a miniature picture of Christ's victory over the powers of darkness, a victory that ensures the church's ultimate triumph and the unstoppable advance of God's redemptive plan. The "stir" among the soldiers is a testament to the fact that no earthly power, no matter how formidable, can thwart the purposes of the Lamb of God, who has conquered sin and death and continues to protect His flock ([Revelation 1:18](/revelation/1-18 "Revelation 1:18 - Christ Holds the Keys of Death and Hades")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

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.