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Acts 12:18

New Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Acts 12:18 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.
Acts 12:18 — American Standard Version

Context — Acts 12

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
15And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she confidently affirmed that it was even so. And they said, It is his angel.
16But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened, they saw him, and were amazed.
17But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him forth out of the prison. And he said, Tell these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went to another place.
18Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.
19And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the guards, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and tarried there.
20Now he was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: and they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king`s chamberlain their friend, they asked for peace, because their country was fed from the king`s country.
21And upon a set day Herod arrayed himself in royal apparel, and sat on the throne, and made an oration unto them.
← Acts 12:17Acts 12:19 →
← Full Chapter 12 Acts Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Now as soon as it was day, etc.] When it was morning; as soon as there was any light in the prison, by which the guards could discern one another and their prisoners: there was no small stir among the soldiers: the two between whom Peter slept, and the rest of the quaternions that were employed in the wards to keep watch; who were now all in an uproar, and in the utmost concern and fright: what was become of Peter; whether he was in any other part of the prison, by what means he could escape, and whither he was gone.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“as soon as it was day, &c.--His deliverance must have been during the fourth watch (three to six A.M.); else he must have been missed by the keepers at the change of the watch [WIES].”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“No small stir - Amazement that he had escaped, and apprehension of the consequences. The punishment which they had reason to expect, for having suffered his escape, was death. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“12:18-23 When Peter couldn’t be found after a careful search, Herod interrogated the guards and put them to death (cp. 16:27). However, Herod met his own painful end as a divine judgment on his conceit when he accepted the people’s worship. Josephus records the death of Herod Agrippa I in greater detail (Josephus, Antiquities 19.8.1-2).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“there: Act 5:22-25, Act 16:27, Act 19:23 Acts 12:19”
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Related study paths

Read Acts 12 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification