Acts 12:5
ὁ μὲν οὖν Πέτρος ἐτηρεῖτο ἐν τῇ φυλακῇ· προσευχὴ δὲ ἦν ἐκτενῶς γινομένη ὑπὸ τῆς ἐκκλησίας πρὸς τὸν Θεὸν ὑπὲρ αὐτοῦ.
Focus Topic: Correlative Contrast (μὲν… δὲ) and Periphrastic Imperfect
This verse contrasts Peter’s physical imprisonment with the Church’s spiritual intercession using the μὲν… δὲ construction. The grammar involves a periphrastic imperfect, a present middle participle, and a series of prepositional phrases showing direction and purpose in prayer.
Contrast Structure: ὁ μὲν οὖν… προσευχὴ δὲ
The phrase μὲν… δὲ creates a correlative contrast — “on the one hand… but on the other.”
- ὁ μὲν οὖν Πέτρος ἐτηρεῖτο ἐν τῇ φυλακῇ — “Peter, then, was being kept in prison”
- προσευχὴ δὲ ἦν… γινομένη — “but prayer was being made…”
The contrast heightens the tension between external confinement and internal spiritual response.
Passive Imperfect Verb: ἐτηρεῖτο
ἐτηρεῖτο is imperfect passive indicative, 3rd singular, from τηρέω (“to guard, keep”). It expresses ongoing action in the past — “was being kept.” The passive form stresses Peter as the recipient of the action.
Location Phrase: ἐν τῇ φυλακῇ
ἐν + dative shows location — “in the prison.” The phrase is literal but symbolic of the Church’s vulnerability and dependence on divine intervention.
Periphrastic Imperfect: ἦν… γινομένη
ἦν (imperfect of εἰμί) + γινομένη (present middle participle of γίνομαι) forms a periphrastic imperfect construction: “was being made.” It emphasizes the continuous nature of the prayer.
Adverb of Manner: ἐκτενῶς
ἐκτενῶς is an adverb meaning “earnestly, fervently.” It modifies γινομένη, showing the intensity of the prayer offered by the Church.
Agency and Direction: ὑπὸ τῆς ἐκκλησίας / πρὸς τὸν Θεόν
- ὑπὸ τῆς ἐκκλησίας — agent of the passive participle: “by the Church”
- πρὸς τὸν Θεόν — direction of the prayer: “to God”
- ὑπὲρ αὐτοῦ — for Peter’s benefit: “on his behalf”
Key Observations
- μὲν… δὲ emphasizes the narrative and theological tension between earthly opposition and heavenly petition.
- ἐτηρεῖτο and ἦν…γινομένη show parallel imperfect forms that contrast imprisonment with prayer.
- The adverb ἐκτενῶς amplifies the emotional and spiritual intensity of the Church’s response.
Syntactical Theology of Resistance
The grammar of this verse reveals more than narrative detail — it conveys the Church’s posture under persecution. The imperfects mark continuous action: Peter remains imprisoned, but the Church does not relent in prayer. Through a periphrastic construction and deliberate participial phrasing, Luke emphasizes that even as political powers guard God’s servants, the community’s prayer is the real weapon — fervent, directed, and unceasing.
