Acts 12:8-9

12:8 The angel said to him, “Fasten your belt ¹  and put on your sandals.” Peter ²  did so. Then the angel ³  said to him, “Put on your cloak ⁴  and follow me.” 12:9 Peter ⁵  went out ⁶  and followed him; ⁷  he did not realize that what was happening through the angel was real, ⁸  but thought he was seeing a vision.

[12:8]  ¹ tn While ζώννυμι (zwnnumi) 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.

[12:8]  ² tn Grk “He”; the referent (Peter) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[12:8]  ³ tn Grk “he”; the referent (the angel) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[12:8]  ⁴ tn Or “outer garment.”

[12:9]  ⁵ tn Grk “And going out he followed.”

[12:9]  ⁶ tn Grk “Peter going out followed him.” The participle ἐξελθών (exelqwn) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[12:9]  ⁷ 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.

[12:9]  ⁸ tn Grk “what was done through the angel was a reality” (see BDAG 43 s.v. ἀληθής 3).