Acts 12:8

8 And the angel said unto him, "Gird thyself and bind on thy sandals." And so he did. And the angel said unto him, "Cast thy garment about thee and follow me."

Acts 12:8 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 12:8

And the angel said unto him, gird thyself
He slept in his inner garment loose about him; wherefore the angel bids him gird it up with his girdle, and prepare to walk out after him:

and bind on thy sandals;
which were a sort of shoes that covered only the soles of the feet, and were fastened to the leg, with strings:

and so he did;
he did not ask any question, or the reason of these orders; he did not dispute the matter, but at once obeyed:

and he saith unto him, cast thy garment about thee;
meaning his upper garment, or cloak, which lay by him:

and follow me;
suggesting hereby, that he should take care of him, and show him his way, and bring him safe out of the prison.

Acts 12:8 In-Context

6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, that same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains; and the keepers were guarding the door of the prison.

7 And behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison; and he smote Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, "Arise up quickly." And his chains fell off from his hands.

8 And the angel said unto him, "Gird thyself and bind on thy sandals." And so he did. And the angel said unto him, "Cast thy garment about thee and follow me."

9 And he went out and followed him, and knew not whether what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he saw a vision.

10 When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city, which opened to them of his own accord. And they went out and passed on through one street, and forthwith the angel departed from him.