Acts 12:16

French (BDS) 2015 (La Bible du Semeur 2015)

Pendant ce temps, Pierre continuait à frapper. Ils ouvrirent, le virent et en restèrent tout étonnés.

What Does This Mean?

In this verse, Peter is knocking on a door and when the people inside open it, they are very surprised to see him. This shows that something unexpected happened, as Peter's presence was not anticipated.

Explained for Children

Imagine if you were playing hide-and-seek with your friends and after you knocked on the door where everyone was hiding, instead of finding just your friends, you found a surprise visitor like your favorite superhero! That's how surprised they were to see Peter!

Historical Background

The book of Acts was written by Luke around 60-80 AD. This part is about Peter, an apostle, and the reactions of people after he escaped from prison. It reflects the early Christian community’s astonishment at divine intervention.

Living It Out Today

Imagine working late in your office when a colleague unexpectedly opens the door to find you there long past closing time. Their reaction might be similar to the surprise expressed here; it's about seeing something or someone unexpected and being astonished by it.

Topics

• surprise
• unexpected events
• faith
• deliverance
• astonishment
• prison escape

Related Verses

• Exodus 4:28
• Matthew 17:6
• Luke 5:9
• John 20:19
• Acts 3:10

Frequently Asked Questions

Why were they astonished at Peter's presence?

They likely expected Peter to still be in prison and his appearance was a sign of divine intervention or miracle, which naturally caused astonishment.

Is this story about Peter typical for the book of Acts?

Yes, it is common in Acts to see stories of miraculous deliverance and unexpected encounters that show God's power working through his followers.

What does it mean if we are astonished by something today?

Being astonished can signify a moment where we recognize the presence or work of God, much like Peter’s appearance was a sign to those who saw him.

How did this event affect early Christians' faith?

Seeing such an unexpected deliverance would have strengthened their belief in divine intervention and the power of prayer, reinforcing their faith.