Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 12:16
But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened [the door,] and saw him, they were astonished.
Were astonished – They were now convinced that it was Peter, and they were amazed that he had been rescued. As yet they were of course ignorant of the manner in which it was done.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Peter continued knocking; Peter might be unwilling to have his entrance into the house deferred,
1. Out of fear of being taken again, and his life concerned upon it.
2. Out of an earnest desire to see the brethren, whom he might hope to meet with there.
3. Out of zeal to declare the mercy of God towards him; this fire was kindled in him, and he sought vent for it.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
16. Peter continued knockingdelaybeing dangerous.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
But Peter continued knocking,…. That they might come to him, and let him in; beginning to be impatient, and being very desirous of seeing his friends, as well as being in danger of being taken up, and had to prison again, should any of his enemies come by, who knew him:
and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished: they could hardly believe their own eyes; it was amazing to them, how it should be, that he should be delivered out of prison, when they knew there was such a strong guard about him.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Continued knocking ( ). Imperfect active and present participle. Now all heard the knocking.
When they had opened (). First aorist active participle of or –. The whole group rushed out to the courtyard this time to make sure.
They were amazed (). The frequent second aorist active (intransitive) indicative of .
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
1) “But Peter continued knocking: (ho de Petros epemenen krouon) “Yet Peter continued or remained repeatedly knocking,” appealing that someone open the gate to let him come into the house. And he literally experienced “knock and it shall be opened to you,” Luk 11:9-10.
2) “And when they had opened the door and saw him,” (anoiksantes de eidan auton) “And having opened the porch door they recognized him,” whom they thought to be in prison, for whom they had been praying all thru the night, continually, Act 12:5; Act 12:12.
3) “They were astonished,” (kai eksestesan) “And they were amazed,” astonished or astounded, Luk 5:9. Those assembled seem to have rushed to the door to see for themselves and were astonished upon recognizing Peter, an object of their prayers, beyond what they were “able to ask or to think,” Eph 3:20; Rom 16:25.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
‘But Peter continued knocking, and when they had opened, they saw him, and were amazed.’
Peter, however, continued knocking, and when eventually they opened the gate they were amazed. This part of the story may only have been recounted in such detail because it was amusing, but the idea of the Lord knocking at the door at His second coming was so well known that perhaps this was intended to be a reminder that as His people pray so the Lord is knocking at the door and they should be ready to open immediately in readiness for anything that is coming (Luk 12:36; Rev 3:20). The hint is that they should have been on the ready. For time is passing, and then it will be too late. This is all of a piece with the fact that this chapter deals with the battle between two kingdoms.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
16 But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door , and saw him, they were astonished.
Ver. 16. But Peter continued knocking ] He flung not away in displeasure, because not at first knock admitted. We must also continue instant in prayer. The hand of faith never knocked in vain at the gate of grace; but then, it “maketh not haste,” it can willingly wait in hope of a good use and issue of all; yea, it can be content to want that particular blessing it would have; as knowing that God’s people shall reap if they faint not; they shall certainly have their prayers out, either in money or money’s worth.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Act 12:16 . , cf. Joh 8:7 , with a participle as here; only found elsewhere in N.T. in Luke and Paul; see on Act 10:48 . ., another natural touch; those assembled went to the door themselves.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
continued. Greek. epimeno. See note on Act 10:48.
were astonished = were astounded. Greek. existemi. See Act 2:7; Act 8:9; Act 9:21; Act 10:45.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Reciprocal: Act 12:13 – knocked
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
6
Act 12:16. The continual knocking made it necessary to open the door. Their amazement caused them to make some kind of clamor. (See next verse.)
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Act 12:16-17. But Peter continued knocking Though they delayed to open to him; and when At length, several of them, it seems, going out together; they had opened the door, and saw him That it really was he; they were astonished Were filled with wonder and joy, as much as they were just before with sorrow and fear concerning him. But beckoning unto them (many of whom, being amazed, were talking together) to hold their peace That they might hear him relate in what an extraordinary manner he had been delivered; he declared unto them how the Lord had By the ministry of an angel; brought him out of prison. And it is probable, that, having found them praying for his deliverance, he did not part with them till he and they had solemnly given God thanks together for so wonderfully answering their prayers. And he said, Go show these things unto James The brother, or kinsman, of our Lord, and author of the epistle that bears his name. He appears to have been a person of considerable weight and importance, probably the chief overseer of the Christian societies of that province, and of the church in Jerusalem in particular. And to the brethren Namely, The other disciples, that they might join in praising God for this great deliverance, and consider it as laying a further obligation upon them to serve him with still greater zeal and fidelity. And he departed thence to another place Where he might be better concealed till the rage of persecution was abated.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
See notes one verse 13
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
16, 17. When Peter is admitted, he at once takes command of the uproarious crowd, beckoning silence with his hand. He has no time to waste. He must run away and hide from Herod and the soldiers before daylight, or he will be killed. Therefore, commanding silence, he briefly relates his wonderful deliverance by the angel, and says to them: Proclaim these things to James and the brethren. Isnt James dead? Did not Herod cut his head off a few days ago? In Matthews apostolical catalogue, Chapter 10, we have two apostles by the name of James, i. e., the son of Zebedee, and brother of John, whom Herod has beheaded; and James, the son of Alphaeus, who, at a later date, suffered martyrdom in Jerusalem by precipitation from a pinnacle of the temple. Neither of these was the James here mentioned; but James, the brother of our Lord, and elder brother of Jude, who are not mentioned among the original twelve, having stood aloof while the world was shaking with conviction of the Messiahship of Jesus, as it is so hard for us to believe on the members of our own family. So these nominal brothers of our Lord, doubtless sons of Joseph by a former marriage, held off until they saw their brother crucified, which doubtless staggered them more than ever. But when they saw Him walk out of the sepulcher and fly up to heaven, every quibble as to His Messiahship took its everlasting flight. With a grand boom they now fall in line, gladly received, appreciated and honored by their predecessors as the nominal brothers of our Lord. Therefore James the elder is complimented with the first pastorate of the Apostolic church at Jerusalem.