SEV Biblia, Chapter 12:17
Y l hacindoles con la mano seal de que callasen, les cont cmo el Seor le había sacado de la crcel. Y dijo: Haced saber esto a Jacobo y a los hermanos. Y sali, y se fue a otro lugar.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Acts 12:17
Verse 17. Declared-how the Lord had brought him out of the prison.] He still persisted in the belief that his deliverance was purely supernatural. It seems that some modern critics could have informed him of his mistake. See ver. 11.
Show these things unto James, and to the brethren] That is, in one word, show them to the Church, at the head of which James undoubtedly was; as we may clearly understand by the part he took in the famous council held at Jerusalem, relative to certain differences between the believing Jews and Gentiles. See chap. xv. 13-21. There is still no supremacy for Peter. He who was bishop or overseer of the Church at Jerusalem was certainly at the head of the whole Church of God at this time; but James was then bishop or inspector of the Church at Jerusalem, and, consequently, was the only visible head then upon earth.
He departed-into another place.] Some popish writers say that he went to Rome, and founded a Christian Church there. Those who can believe any thing may believe this. Where he went we know not; but it is probable that he withdrew for the present into a place of privacy, till the heat of the inquiry was over relative to his escape from the prison; for he saw that Herod was intent on his death.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 17. But he beckoning unto them with the hand , etc.] This is what the Jews call hzymr , an hint f588 , which is a beckoning, or making signs, either with the head or hand: and this was now made, to hold their peace; to be silent, and not clamorous in their expressions of joy and wonder, lest it should alarm the neighbourhood, and the consequence be bad both to him and them; as also that he might have an opportunity of relating the whole affair to them; which he did, after he had entered into the house; which though not expressed is understood, and is added in Bezas ancient copy, and in the Syriac version: and he went in ; that is, into the house: and declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of prison: how he had sent his angel to him in prison, what a light shone about him, how his chains fell from his hands, and how the angel conducted him through the several wards, till they came to the iron gate, which opened of itself; and how when he had brought him into the public streets, he left him; he ascribes this wonderful deliverance not to the angel, but to the Lord himself: and he said, go show these things to James ; the son of Alphaeus, sometimes called the brother of our Lord; for James the son of Zebedee, the brother of John, Herod had lately killed with the sword, ( Acts 12:2) and this other James very likely succeeded him as pastor of the church at Jerusalem, or at least had the superintendency of affairs there: and to the brethren ; the rest of the apostles, and even all the members; whom he would have acquainted with these things, which he knew would be matter of joy unto them, and a means of strengthening them in the ways of the Lord: and he departed, and went into another place ; to Rome, say the Papists, but without any foundation; if he went out of the city, and to any distant place for more safety, very likely he went to Antioch; but the words do not necessarily oblige us to conclude, that he went out of the city at that time, only that he went from Marys house; and went, as the Ethiopic version reads, to another house: where another company of saints might be assembled, and where he might be more private and secure.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 12-19 - God's providence leaves room for the use of our prudence, though he ha undertaken to perform and perfect what he has begun. These Christian continued in prayer for Peter, for they were truly in earnest. Thus me ought always to pray, and not to faint. As long as we are kept waitin for a mercy, we must continue praying for it. But sometimes that whic we most earnestly wish for, we are most backward to believe. The Christian law of self-denial and of suffering for Christ, has not don away the natural law of caring for our own safety by lawful means. I times of public danger, all believers have God for their hiding-place which is so secret, that the world cannot find them. Also, the instruments of persecution are themselves exposed to danger; the wrat of God hangs over all that engage in this hateful work. And the rang of persecutors often vents itself on all in its way.
Greek Textus Receptus
κατασεισας 2678 5660 V-AAP-NSM δε 1161 CONJ αυτοις 846 P-DPM τη 3588 T-DSF χειρι 5495 N-DSF σιγαν 4601 5721 V-PAN διηγησατο 1334 5662 V-ADI-3S αυτοις 846 P-DPM πως 4459 ADV ο 3588 T-NSM κυριος 2962 N-NSM αυτον 846 P-ASM εξηγαγεν 1806 5627 V-2AAI-3S εκ 1537 PREP της 3588 T-GSF φυλακης 5438 N-GSF ειπεν 2036 5627 V-2AAI-3S δε 1161 CONJ απαγγειλατε 518 5657 V-AAM-2P ιακωβω 2385 N-DSM και 2532 CONJ τοις 3588 T-DPM αδελφοις 80 N-DPM ταυτα 5023 D-APN και 2532 CONJ εξελθων 1831 5631 V-2AAP-NSM επορευθη 4198 5675 V-AOI-3S εις 1519 PREP ετερον 2087 A-ASM τοπον 5117 N-ASM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
17. Beckoning (kataseisav). Lit., having shaken downward with his hand, in order to bespeak silence and attention. It was a familiar gesture of Paul. See ch. xxi. 40; xxvi. 1.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
12:17 There were probably loud exclamations of astonishment and joy. {Beckoning with the hand} (kataseisas tei ceiri). First aorist active participle of kataseiw, old verb to signal or shake down with the hand (instrumental case ceiri). In the N.T. only in #Ac 12:17; 13:16; 19:33; 21:40. The speaker indicates by a downward movement of the hand his desire for silence (to hold their peace, sigain, present active infinitive, to keep silent). Peter was anxious for every precaution and he wanted their instant attention. {Declared} (diegesato). First aorist middle of diegeomai, old verb to carry through a narrative, give a full story. See also #Ac 9:27 of Barnabas in his defence of Saul. Peter told them the wonderful story. {Unto James and the brethren} (iakwbwi kai tois adelfois). Dative case after apaggeilate (first aorist active imperative). Evidently "James and the brethren" were not at this meeting, probably meeting elsewhere. There was no place where all the thousands of disciples in Jerusalem could meet. this gathering in the house of Mary may have been of women only or a meeting of the Hellenists. It is plain that this James the Lord's brother, is now the leading presbyter or elder in Jerusalem though there were a number (#11:30; 21:18). Paul even terms him apostle (#Gal 1:19), though certainly not one of the twelve. The twelve apostles probably were engaged elsewhere in mission work save James now dead (#Ac 12:2) and Peter. The leadership of James is here recognized by Peter and is due, partly to the absence of the twelve, but mainly to his own force of character. He will preside over the Jerusalem Conference (#Ac 15:13). {To another place} (eis heteron topon). Probably Luke did not know the place and certainly it was prudent for Peter to conceal it from Herod Agrippa. Probably Peter left the city. He is back in Jerusalem at the Conference a few years later (#Ac 15:7) and after the death of Herod Agrippa. Whether Peter went to Rome during these years we do not know. He was recognized later as the apostle to the circumcision (#Gal 2:7; 1Pe 1:1) and apparently was in Rome with John Mark when he wrote the First epistle (#1Pe 5:13), unless it is the real Babylon. But, even if Peter went to Rome during this early period, there is no evidence that he founded the church there. If he had done so, in the light of #2Co 10:16 it would be strange that Paul had not mentioned it in writing to Rome, for he was anxious not to build on another man's foundation (#Ro 15:20). Paul felt sure that he himself had a work to do in Rome. Unfortunately Luke has not followed the ministry of Peter after this period as he does Paul (appearing again only in chapter #Ac 15). If Peter really left Jerusalem at this time instead of hiding in the city, he probably did some mission work as Paul says that he did (#1Co 9:5).
