Acts 12:8-10

New English Translation

Footnotes

1. Acts 12:8 tn While ζώννυμι (zōnnumi) sometimes means “to dress,” referring to the fastening of the belt or sash as the final act of getting dressed, in this context it probably does mean “put on your belt” since in the conditions of a prison Peter had probably not changed into a different set of clothes to sleep. More likely he had merely removed his belt or sash, which the angel now told him to replace. The translation “put on your belt” is given by L&N 49.14 for this verse. The archaic English “girdle” for the sash or belt has an entirely different meaning today.
2. Acts 12:8 tn Grk “He”; the referent (Peter) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
3. Acts 12:8 tn Grk “he”; the referent (the angel) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
4. Acts 12:8 tn Or “outer garment.”
5. Acts 12:9 tn Grk “And going out he followed.”
6. Acts 12:9 tn Grk “Peter going out followed him.” The participle ἐξελθών (exelthōn) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
7. Acts 12:9 tn The word “him” is not in the Greek text. Direct objects in Greek were often omitted when clear from the context, but must be supplied for the modern English reader.
8. Acts 12:9 tn Grk “what was done through the angel was a reality” (see BDAG 43 s.v. ἀληθής 3).
9. Acts 12:10 tn Or perhaps, “guard posts.”
10. Acts 12:10 sn The iron gate shows how important security was here. This door was more secure than one made of wood (which would be usual).
11. Acts 12:10 tn Grk “which.” The relative pronoun (“which”) was replaced by the pronoun “it,” and a new sentence was begun in the translation at this point to improve the English style, due to the length of the sentence in Greek.
12. Acts 12:10 tn The Greek term here, αὐτομάτη (automatē), indicates something that happens without visible cause (BDAG 152 s.v. αὐτόματος).
13. Acts 12:10 tn Or “lane,” “alley” (BDAG 907 s.v. ῥύμη).