Skip to Content

Acts

Changes this passage only. Set your default for every passage.

Acts 12

1Now about that time Herod the king put forth his hands to afflict certain of the church.

2And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.

3And when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. And those were the days of unleavened bread.

1Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.

2And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.

3And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)

Commentary · verses 1-3

Herod killed James the Greater and when he saw that it pleased the Jews he also sought to kill Peter. Herod must have been feeling threatened by these men and the church.

4And when he had taken him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to guard him; intending after the Passover to bring him forth to the people.

5Peter therefore was kept in the prison: but prayer was made earnestly of the church unto God for him.

4And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.

5Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

Commentary · verses 4-5

Herod put Peter in prison, but prayer was made for Peter.

6And when Herod was about to bring him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and guards before the door kept the prison.

6And 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.

Commentary · verse 6

Peter slept between two soldiers. Peter was in prison, awaiting his execution, and he was fast asleep! Peter had completely surrendered his will to God.

7And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shined in the cell: and he smote Peter on the side, and awoke him, saying, Rise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.

7And, 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.

Commentary · verse 7

An angel came in and a light shined in the prison. The angel struck Peter's side, raised him up, and Peter's chains fell off: supernatural event.

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

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

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

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

Commentary · verses 8-9

Peter followed the angel out of the prison. Peter thought that this was only a vision.

Doctrine: Visions look as real as the physical world.

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

10When they were past the first and the second ward, 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.

Commentary · verse 10

Once Peter was in the city, the angel left him.

11And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a truth, that the Lord hath sent forth his angel and delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.

11And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.

Commentary · verse 11

Peter was convinced this was God once he realized this was reality, not a vision.

12And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together and were praying.

12And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.

Commentary · verse 12

Peter went to Mary, John-Mark's mother's house. These people were praying for Peter when he arrived.

13And when he knocked at the door of the gate, a maid came to answer, named Rhoda.

13And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.

Commentary · verse 13

Peter knocked on the door and Rhoda came to answer it.

14And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for joy, but ran in, and told that Peter stood before the gate.

14And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.

Commentary · verse 14

She was so excited to hear Peter's voice that she did not open the gate but ran back to tell how Peter stood there.

15And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she confidently affirmed that it was even so. And they said, It is his angel.

15And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.

Commentary · verse 15

A common belief that answers the question of their confusion was that a person's angel looks and sounds like the person. The people told Rhoda she was mad or that she must be seeing Peter's angel, even though these people were praying for Peter's release.

16But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened, they saw him, and were amazed.

16But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.

Commentary · verse 16

Peter continued to knock and when the gate was opened they were all astonished.

17But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him forth out of the prison. And he said, Tell these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went to another place.

17But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.

Commentary · verse 17

Peter told them of the escape and then told them to tell James the Lesser about the events.

18Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.

19And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the guards, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judæa to Cæsarea, and tarried there.

20Now he was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: and they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king’s chamberlain their friend, they asked for peace, because their country was fed from the king’s country.

21And upon a set day Herod arrayed himself in royal apparel, and sat on the throne, and made an oration unto them.

22And the people shouted, saying, The voice of a god, and not of a man.

23And immediately an angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.

18Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.

19And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judea to Cesarea, and there abode.

20And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king’s chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king’s country.

21And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.

22And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.

23And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.

Commentary · verses 18-23

Herod was given a supernatural sign when Peter was gone and he (and everyone else) could not explain how this happened. Instead of recognizing he was not all-knowing, he received worship in the place of God, and was struck by an angel of God because he did not give God the glory.

24But the word of God grew and multiplied.

24But the word of God grew and multiplied.

Commentary · verse 24

The word of God continued to be preached to more and more people, and the number of believers multiplied.

25And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministration, taking with them John whose surname was Mark.

25And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.

Commentary · verse 25

Even though Peter appeared to John-Mark, Saul and Barnabas took John-Mark (who was said to have been Barnabas' nephew) with them. John-Mark was the author of the Gospel of Mark.

Acts 10-12 covered Peter's vision concerning God making all food clean and the Disciples' resolution of this new Doctrine. Also, James the Greater was martyred by Herod and Peter was imprisoned. Angels released Peter.

Up and down arrows move between verses, Enter selects one, Shift with an arrow takes in a run. Tab then reaches Save, Add Note and Copy.