Bible Strands
Acts 12:17
Peter motioned with his hand for silence, and he described how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. “Send word to James and to the brothers,” he said, and he left for another place.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Peter speaks to a group of believers who have gathered to pray for his release, addressing them after an angel delivered him from Herod’s prison. He gives instructions before departing to an unspecified location.
The words — The Greek κατασεύσας (kataseusas) and σιγᾶν (sigan) literally mean “having made a sign” and “to be silent,” describing Peter’s gesture to quiet the room. He then διηγήσατο (diēgēsato), “related,” the account of God’s intervention.
The thread — This gesture of raising a hand to demand silence appears in Acts 13:16, Acts 19:33, and Acts 21:40 when speakers prepare to address a crowd. The pattern establishes a physical signal for gathering attention before public speech.
Why it lands — The verse records a practical command to relay deliverance to James and the brothers, followed by immediate departure. It requires the reader to note the transition from divine rescue to human responsibility for spreading the news.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Acts 21:40 Having received permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned to the crowd. A great hush came over the crowd, and he addressed them in Hebrew:
- Acts 13:16 Paul stood up, motioned with his hand, and began to speak: “Men of Israel and you Gentiles who fear God, listen to me!
- Acts 19:33 The Jews in the crowd pushed Alexander forward to explain himself, and he motioned for silence so he could make his defense to the people.
- Acts 15:13 When they had finished speaking, James declared, “Brothers, listen to me!
- Acts 21:18 The next day Paul went in with us to see James, and all the elders were present.
- Galatians 1:19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother.
- Galatians 2:9 And recognizing the grace that I had been given, James, Cephas, and John—those reputed to be pillars—gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised.
- Galatians 2:12 For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself, for fear of those in the circumcision group.
- Matthew 10:23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next. Truly I tell you, you will not reach all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
- John 8:59 At this, they picked up stones to throw at Him. But Jesus was hidden and went out of the temple area.