Acts 12:18

At daybreak ¹  there was great consternation ²  among the soldiers over what had become of Peter.

In the morning, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter.

Now when day came, there was no small disturbance among the soldiers as to what could have become of Peter.

At dawn, there was a great commotion among the soldiers about what had happened to Peter.

At daybreak the jail was in an uproar. "Where is Peter? What's happened to Peter?"

Now when it was day, the armed men were greatly troubled about what had become of Peter.

When morning came, there was no small commotion among the soldiers over what had become of Peter.

Then, as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers about what had become of Peter.

At daybreak ¹  there was great consternation ²  among the soldiers over what had become of Peter.

¹ tn BDAG 436 s.v. ἡμέρα 1.a has “day is breaking” for ἡμέρα γίνεται (Jhmera ginetai) in this verse.

² tn Grk “no little consternation.” The translation given for τάραχος (taraco") in this verse by BDAG 991 s.v. τάραχος 1 is “mental agitation.” The situation indicated by the Greek word is described in L&N 25.243 as “a state of acute distress and great anxiety, with the additional possible implications of dismay and confusion – ‘great distress, extreme anxiety.’” The English word “consternation” is preferred here because it conveys precisely such a situation of anxiety mixed with fear. The reason for this anxiety is explained in the following verse.