Acts 12:8

8 And the angel said to him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals; and so he did. And he saith to 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, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains; and the keepers before the door kept 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 quickly. And his chains fell off from [his] hands.

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

9 And he went out, and followed him, and knew not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.

10 When they were past the first and the second ward, they came to the iron gate that leadeth to the city; which opened to them of its own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.