Acts 12:9
New International Version
Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision.

New Living Translation
So Peter left the cell, following the angel. But all the time he thought it was a vision. He didn’t realize it was actually happening.

English Standard Version
And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.

Berean Standard Bible
So Peter followed him out, but he was unaware that what the angel was doing was real. He thought he was only seeing a vision.

Berean Literal Bible
And having gone forth, he was following, and he did not know that what is happening by means of the angel is real, but he was thinking he saw a vision.

King James Bible
And 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.

New King James Version
So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.

New American Standard Bible
And he went out and continued to follow, and yet he did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.

NASB 1995
And he went out and continued to follow, and he did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.

NASB 1977
And he went out and continued to follow, and he did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.

Legacy Standard Bible
And he went out and continued to follow, and he did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but was thinking he was seeing a vision.

Amplified Bible
And Peter went out following the angel. He did not realize that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.

Christian Standard Bible
So he went out and followed, and he did not know that what the angel did was really happening, but he thought he was seeing a vision.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So he went out and followed, and he did not know that what took place through the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.

American Standard Version
And 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.

Contemporary English Version
Peter left with the angel, but he thought everything was only a dream.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Peter followed the angel out of the cell. He didn't realize that what the angel was doing was actually happening. He thought he was seeing a vision.

Good News Translation
Peter followed him out of the prison, not knowing, however, if what the angel was doing was real; he thought he was seeing a vision.

International Standard Version
So Peter went out and began to follow him, not realizing that what was being done by the angel was real; he thought he was seeing a vision.

Majority Standard Bible
So Peter followed him out, but he was unaware that what the angel was doing was real. He thought he was only seeing a vision.

NET Bible
Peter went out and followed him; he did not realize that what was happening through the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.

New Heart English Bible
And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he saw a vision.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

Weymouth New Testament
So Peter went out, following him, yet could not believe that what the angel was doing was real, but supposed that he saw a vision.

World English Bible
And he went out and followed him. He didn’t know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he saw a vision.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and having gone forth, he was following him, and he did not know that it is true that which is done through the messenger, and was thinking he saw a vision,

Berean Literal Bible
And having gone forth, he was following, and he did not know that what is happening by means of the angel is real, but he was thinking he saw a vision.

Young's Literal Translation
and having gone forth, he was following him, and he knew not that it is true that which is done through the messenger, and was thinking he saw a vision,

Smith's Literal Translation
And having come out, he followed him; and knew not that it is true that being done by the messenger; and seemed to see a vision.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And going out, he followed him, and he knew not that it was true which was done by the angel: but thought he saw a vision.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And going out, he followed him. And he did not know this truth: that this was being done by an Angel. For he thought that he was seeing a vision.

New American Bible
So he followed him out, not realizing that what was happening through the angel was real; he thought he was seeing a vision.

New Revised Standard Version
Peter went out and followed him; he did not realize that what was happening with the angel’s help was real; he thought he was seeing a vision.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he went out, and followed the angel, not knowing that what was done by the angel was true, but thought he saw a vision.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And he went out and followed him while he did not know that this was real which was happening by the hand of The Angel, for he thought that he was seeing a vision.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And he went out, and followed him; and he knew not that what was done by the angel was real, but thought that he saw a vision.

Godbey New Testament
And having come out, he was following; and did not know that it is true which was done by the angel; but he was thinking that he saw a vision.

Haweis New Testament
And going out, he followed him; and knew not that it was a reality which was done by the angel; but he supposed he saw a vision.

Mace New Testament
so he went out after the angel without knowing that what the angel had done, was real; but thinking it was all a vision.

Weymouth New Testament
So Peter went out, following him, yet could not believe that what the angel was doing was real, but supposed that he saw a vision.

Worrell New Testament
And, going forth, he was following him; and he knew not that it was true, which was being done by the angel, but was thinking that he saw a vision.

Worsley New Testament
So he went out and followed him; and he did not know, that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he saw a vision.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Rescue of Peter
8“Get dressed and put on your sandals,” said the angel. Peter did so, and the angel told him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” 9So Peter followed him out, but he was unaware that what the angel was doing was real. He thought he was only seeing a vision. 10They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city, which opened for them by itself. When they had gone outside and walked the length of one block, the angel suddenly left him.…

Cross References
Acts 5:19
But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out, saying,

Acts 16:26
Suddenly a strong earthquake shook the foundations of the prison. At once all the doors flew open and everyone’s chains came loose.

Genesis 19:16
But when Lot hesitated, the men grabbed his hand and the hands of his wife and his two daughters. And they led them safely out of the city, because of the LORD’s compassion for them.

Daniel 3:28
Nebuchadnezzar declared, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent His angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him. They violated the king’s command and risked their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.

Daniel 6:22
My God sent His angel and shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, for I was found innocent in His sight, and I have done no wrong against you, O king.”

Psalm 34:7
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and he delivers them.

Psalm 91:11
For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.

Matthew 18:10
See that you do not look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of My Father in heaven.

Luke 24:11
But their words seemed like nonsense to them, and they did not believe the women.

Luke 24:23
but they did not find His body. They came and told us they had seen a vision of angels, who said that Jesus was alive.

John 20:14
When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there. But she did not recognize that it was Jesus.

John 21:4
Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not recognize that it was Jesus.

2 Kings 6:17
Then Elisha prayed, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw that the hills were full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

Exodus 14:19
And the angel of God, who had gone before the camp of Israel, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from before them and stood behind them,

Exodus 23:20
Behold, I am sending an angel before you to protect you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

he went.

Acts 26:19
Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:

Genesis 6:22
Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.

John 2:5
His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

wist not.

Acts 10:3,17
He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius…

Acts 11:5
I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me:

Genesis 45:26
And told him, saying, Joseph is yet alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt. And Jacob's heart fainted, for he believed them not.

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Angel Believe Continued Fact Follow Followed Following Forth Idea Messenger Peter Prison Real Really Seemed Supposed Thinking Thought True. Vision Wist
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Angel Believe Continued Fact Follow Followed Following Forth Idea Messenger Peter Prison Real Really Seemed Supposed Thinking Thought True. Vision Wist
Acts 12
1. King Herod persecutes the Christians, kills James, and imprisons Peter;
6. whom an angel delivers upon the prayers of the church.
20. Herod in his pride taking to himself the honor due to God,
23. is stricken by an angel, and dies miserably.
24. After his death, the word of God prospers.
25. Saul and Barnabas return to Antioch.














So Peter followed him out
Peter's obedience to the angel's guidance reflects his faith and trust in God's deliverance. This moment occurs after Peter's miraculous release from prison, highlighting the divine intervention that often accompanies the early church's mission. The act of following the angel signifies Peter's willingness to be led by God's messenger, reminiscent of the Israelites following the pillar of cloud and fire in Exodus 13:21-22. It also parallels Jesus' call to His disciples to follow Him, as seen in Matthew 4:19.

but he was unaware that what the angel was doing was real
Peter's initial lack of awareness underscores the supernatural nature of the event. This mirrors other biblical instances where God's actions are beyond human comprehension, such as when the disciples did not recognize the resurrected Jesus on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:16). The phrase highlights the theme of divine mystery and the often unseen hand of God at work in believers' lives. It also reflects the human tendency to doubt or misunderstand God's miraculous interventions.

He thought he was only seeing a vision
Peter's assumption that he was experiencing a vision rather than reality indicates the common occurrence of visions in the early church, as seen in Acts 10 with Peter's vision of the clean and unclean animals. Visions were a means through which God communicated His will, as with the prophets in the Old Testament, such as Daniel and Ezekiel. This moment emphasizes the blurred line between spiritual experiences and physical reality in the biblical narrative, reminding believers of the spiritual realm's influence on earthly events.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Peter
One of Jesus' closest disciples and a leading figure in the early Christian church. At this point, Peter is imprisoned by Herod Agrippa I.

2. Angel
A divine messenger sent by God to rescue Peter from prison. Angels often appear in the Bible as agents of God's will.

3. Herod Agrippa I
The king who had Peter arrested, intending to persecute him as he had done with James, the brother of John.

4. Prison
The place where Peter was held, heavily guarded to prevent his escape, highlighting the miraculous nature of his release.

5. Jerusalem
The city where these events take place, a central location for the early church and significant in biblical history.
Teaching Points
Divine Intervention
God is actively involved in the lives of His people, often in ways that surpass human understanding or expectation.

Faith in Uncertainty
Like Peter, believers may not always recognize God's work in their lives immediately. Trusting in God's plan is crucial, even when circumstances seem unclear.

The Role of Angels
Angels are God's messengers and protectors, serving His purposes. Believers can take comfort in knowing that God uses His angels to watch over them.

Perseverance in Prayer
The church was fervently praying for Peter's release (Acts 12:5). This highlights the power and importance of persistent prayer in the life of a believer.

God's Sovereignty Over Authorities
Despite Herod's intentions, God's will prevails. This reassures believers that no earthly power can thwart God's plans.(9) And wist not that it was true . . .--The kind of introspective analysis of the Apostle's consciousness suggests the thought that he was himself, possibly through some intermediate channel, St. Luke's informant. As in the activity of somnambulism, the will directed the actions of the body, and yet was only half-conscious of what it did. It may be noted that his experience of the trance and vision narrated in Acts 10 would tend to suggest the impression that he was passing through phenomena of a like kind.

Verse 9. - Followed for followed him, A.V. and T.R.; he wist for wist, A.V.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
[So]
Καὶ (Kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

[Peter] followed him
ἠκολούθει (ēkolouthei)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 190: To accompany, attend, follow. Properly, to be in the same way with, i.e. To accompany.

out,
ἐξελθὼν (exelthōn)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1831: To go out, come out. From ek and erchomai; to issue.

[but]
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

he was unaware
ᾔδει (ēdei)
Verb - Pluperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1492: To know, remember, appreciate.

that
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

what
τὸ (to)
Article - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

the
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

angel
ἀγγέλου (angelou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 32: From aggello; a messenger; especially an 'angel'; by implication, a pastor.

was doing
γινόμενον (ginomenon)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 1096: A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.

was
ἐστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

real.
ἀληθές (alēthes)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 227: Unconcealed, true, true in fact, worthy of credit, truthful. TRUE.

He only thought
ἐδόκει (edokei)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1380: A prolonged form of a primary verb, doko dok'-o of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to seem.

he was seeing
βλέπειν (blepein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 991: (primarily physical), I look, see, perceive, discern. A primary verb; to look at.

a vision.
ὅραμα (horama)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3705: A spectacle, vision, that which is seen. From horao; something gazed at, i.e. A spectacle.


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