Acts 12:8

“And the angel said unto him, gird thyself, etc.] He slept in his inner garment loose about him; wherefore the angel bids him gird it up with his girdle, and prepare to walk out after him: and bind on thy sandals; which were a sort of shoes that covered only the soles of the feet, and were fastened to the leg, with strings: and so he did; he did not ask any question, or the reason of these orders; he did not dispute the matter, but at once obeyed: and he saith unto him, cast thy garment about thee; meaning his upper garment, or cloak, which lay by him: and follow me; suggesting hereby, that he should take care of him, and show him his way, and bring him safe out of the prison.”

“about thee . . . follow me--In such graphic minuteness of detail we have a charming mark of reality: while the rapidity and curtness of the orders, and the promptitude with which they were obeyed, betoken the despatch which, in the circumstances, was necessary.”

“Gird thyself - When they slept the outer garment was thrown off, and the girdle with which they bound their inner garment, or tunic, was loosed. He was directed now to gird up that inner garment as they usually wore it; that is, to dress himself, and prepare to follow him. Bind on thy sandals - Put on thy sandals; prepare to walk. See the notes on Matthew 3:11. Cast thy garment about thee - The outer garment, that was thrown loosely around the shoulders. It was nearly square, and was laid aside when they slept, or worked, or ran. The direction was that he should dress himself in his usual apparel. See the notes on Matthew 5:38-42. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Gird thyself - Probably he had put off his girdle, sandals, and upper garment, before he lay down to sleep. Acts 12:10”