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Acts 12:9 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.

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Acts 12:9 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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/acts/12-9.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/44_Act_12_09.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Acts 12:9 - The Rescue of Peter" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So Peter followed him out, but he was unaware that what the angel was doing was real. 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But all the time he thought it was a vision. He didn&#8217;t realize it was actually happening.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/acts/12.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/acts/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/acts/12.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/acts/12.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/acts/12.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/acts/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And he went out and continued to follow, and <i>yet</i> he did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/acts/12.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/acts/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/acts/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/acts/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And Peter went out following <i>the angel.</i> He did not realize that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/acts/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/acts/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/acts/12.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/acts/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Peter left with the angel, but he thought everything was only a dream. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/acts/12.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/acts/12.htm">GOD'S WORD&reg; Translation</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/acts/12.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />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. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/acts/12.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />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. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/acts/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/acts/12.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/acts/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/acts/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/acts/12.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/acts/12.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />And he went out and followed him. He didn&#8217;t know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he saw a vision. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/acts/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />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,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/acts/12.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/acts/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 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,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/acts/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />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.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/acts/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />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. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/acts/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/acts/12.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />So he followed him out, not realizing that what was happening through the angel was real; he thought he was seeing a vision.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/acts/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Peter went out and followed him; he did not realize that what was happening with the angel&#8217;s help was real; he thought he was seeing a vision.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/acts/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/acts/12.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />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.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/acts/12.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />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.<CM><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/acts/12.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/acts/12.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/acts/12.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />so he went out after the angel without knowing that what the angel had done, was real; but thinking it was all a vision.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/acts/12.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/acts/12.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />And, going forth, he was following <i>him</i>; and he knew not that it was true, which was being done by the angel, but was thinking that he saw a vision.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/acts/12.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/acts/12-9.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/in5WTRQ9BSQ?start=3868" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/acts/12.htm">The Rescue of Peter</a></span><br>&#8230;<span class="reftext">8</span>&#8220;Get dressed and put on your sandals,&#8221; said the angel. Peter did so, and the angel told him, &#8220;Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.&#8221; <span class="reftext">9</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: Kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">So</a> <a href="/greek/190.htm" title="190: &#275;kolouthei (V-IIA-3S) -- To accompany, attend, follow. Properly, to be in the same way with, i.e. To accompany.">Peter followed him</a> <a href="/greek/1831.htm" title="1831: exelth&#333;n (V-APA-NMS) -- To go out, come out. From ek and erchomai; to issue.">out,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">but</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ouk (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/1492.htm" title="1492: &#275;dei (V-LIA-3S) -- To know, remember, appreciate. ">he was unaware</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">that</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-NNS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">what</a> <a href="/greek/1223.htm" title="1223: dia (Prep) -- A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/32.htm" title="32: angelou (N-GMS) -- From aggello; a messenger; especially an angel; by implication, a pastor.">angel</a> <a href="/greek/1096.htm" title="1096: ginomenon (V-PPM/P-NNS) -- A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.">was doing</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">was</a> <a href="/greek/227.htm" title="227: al&#275;thes (Adj-NNS) -- Unconcealed, true, true in fact, worthy of credit, truthful. TRUE.">real.</a> <a href="/greek/1380.htm" title="1380: edokei (V-IIA-3S) -- A prolonged form of a primary verb, doko dok'-o of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to seem.">He thought</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/991.htm" title="991: blepein (V-PNA) -- (primarily physical), I look, see, perceive, discern. A primary verb; to look at.">he was only seeing</a> <a href="/greek/3705.htm" title="3705: horama (N-ANS) -- A spectacle, vision, that which is seen. From horao; something gazed at, i.e. A spectacle.">a vision.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">10</span>They 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.&#8230;<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> &middot; <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/5-19.htm">Acts 5:19</a></span><br />But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/16-26.htm">Acts 16:26</a></span><br />Suddenly a strong earthquake shook the foundations of the prison. At once all the doors flew open and everyone&#8217;s chains came loose.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/19-16.htm">Genesis 19:16</a></span><br />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&#8217;s compassion for them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/3-28.htm">Daniel 3:28</a></span><br />Nebuchadnezzar declared, &#8220;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&#8217;s command and risked their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/6-22.htm">Daniel 6:22</a></span><br />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.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/34-7.htm">Psalm 34:7</a></span><br />The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and he delivers them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/91-11.htm">Psalm 91:11</a></span><br />For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/18-10.htm">Matthew 18:10</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/24-11.htm">Luke 24:11</a></span><br />But their words seemed like nonsense to them, and they did not believe the women.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/24-23.htm">Luke 24:23</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/20-14.htm">John 20:14</a></span><br />When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there. But she did not recognize that it was Jesus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/21-4.htm">John 21:4</a></span><br />Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not recognize that it was Jesus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/6-17.htm">2 Kings 6:17</a></span><br />Then Elisha prayed, &#8220;O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.&#8221; 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/14-19.htm">Exodus 14:19</a></span><br />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,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/23-20.htm">Exodus 23:20</a></span><br />Behold, I am sending an angel before you to protect you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">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.</p><p class="hdg">he went.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/26-19.htm">Acts 26:19</a></b></br> Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/6-22.htm">Genesis 6:22</a></b></br> Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/2-5.htm">John 2:5</a></b></br> His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do <i>it</i>.</p><p class="hdg">wist not.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/10-3.htm">Acts 10:3,17</a></b></br> 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&#8230; </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/11-5.htm">Acts 11:5</a></b></br> 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:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/45-26.htm">Genesis 45:26</a></b></br> And told him, saying, Joseph <i>is</i> yet alive, and he <i>is</i> governor over all the land of Egypt. And Jacob's heart fainted, for he believed them not.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/acts/12-8.htm">Angel</a> <a href="/acts/10-43.htm">Believe</a> <a href="/acts/9-31.htm">Continued</a> <a href="/acts/4-34.htm">Fact</a> <a href="/acts/12-8.htm">Follow</a> <a href="/acts/8-13.htm">Followed</a> <a href="/acts/12-8.htm">Following</a> <a href="/acts/12-6.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/acts/8-20.htm">Idea</a> <a href="/acts/12-8.htm">Messenger</a> <a href="/acts/12-8.htm">Peter</a> <a href="/acts/12-7.htm">Prison</a> <a href="/john/8-54.htm">Real</a> <a href="/acts/9-26.htm">Really</a> <a href="/acts/11-5.htm">Seemed</a> <a href="/acts/7-25.htm">Supposed</a> <a href="/acts/10-19.htm">Thinking</a> <a href="/acts/10-19.htm">Thought</a> <a href="/acts/11-23.htm">True.</a> <a href="/acts/11-5.htm">Vision</a> <a href="/john/5-13.htm">Wist</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/acts/12-10.htm">Angel</a> <a href="/acts/13-39.htm">Believe</a> <a href="/acts/12-16.htm">Continued</a> <a href="/acts/13-34.htm">Fact</a> <a href="/acts/13-43.htm">Follow</a> <a href="/acts/13-43.htm">Followed</a> <a href="/acts/13-42.htm">Following</a> <a href="/acts/12-11.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/acts/15-38.htm">Idea</a> <a href="/acts/12-15.htm">Messenger</a> <a href="/acts/12-11.htm">Peter</a> <a href="/acts/12-17.htm">Prison</a> <a href="/acts/19-40.htm">Real</a> <a href="/acts/12-16.htm">Really</a> <a href="/acts/14-16.htm">Seemed</a> <a href="/acts/16-13.htm">Supposed</a> <a href="/acts/12-12.htm">Thinking</a> <a href="/acts/15-6.htm">Thought</a> <a href="/acts/12-15.htm">True.</a> <a href="/acts/16-9.htm">Vision</a> <a href="/acts/23-5.htm">Wist</a><div class="vheading2">Acts 12</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/12-1.htm">King Herod persecutes the Christians, kills James, and imprisons Peter; </a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/12-6.htm">whom an angel delivers upon the prayers of the church.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/12-20.htm">Herod in his pride taking to himself the honor due to God, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/12-23.htm">is stricken by an angel, and dies miserably.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/12-24.htm">After his death, the word of God prospers.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/12-25.htm">Saul and Barnabas return to Antioch.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/12.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book&nbsp;&#9702;</a>&nbsp;<a href="/study/chapters/acts/12.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter&nbsp;</a></tr></table></div><b>So Peter followed him out</b><br>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 <a href="/exodus/13-21.htm">Exodus 13:21-22</a>. It also parallels Jesus' call to His disciples to follow Him, as seen in <a href="/matthew/4-19.htm">Matthew 4:19</a>.<p><b>but he was unaware that what the angel was doing was real</b><br>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 (<a href="/luke/24-16.htm">Luke 24:16</a>). 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.<p><b>He thought he was only seeing a vision</b><br>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 <a href="/acts/10.htm">Acts 10</a> 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.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/peter.htm">Peter</a></b><br>One of Jesus' closest disciples and a leading figure in the early Christian church. At this point, Peter is imprisoned by Herod Agrippa I.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/angel.htm">Angel</a></b><br>A divine messenger sent by God to rescue Peter from prison. Angels often appear in the Bible as agents of God's will.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/h/herod_agrippa_i.htm">Herod Agrippa I</a></b><br>The king who had Peter arrested, intending to persecute him as he had done with James, the brother of John.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/p/prison.htm">Prison</a></b><br>The place where Peter was held, heavily guarded to prevent his escape, highlighting the miraculous nature of his release.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The city where these events take place, a central location for the early church and significant in biblical history.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_intervention.htm">Divine Intervention</a></b><br>God is actively involved in the lives of His people, often in ways that surpass human understanding or expectation.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_uncertainty.htm">Faith in Uncertainty</a></b><br>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.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_angels.htm">The Role of Angels</a></b><br>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.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/perseverance_in_prayer.htm">Perseverance in Prayer</a></b><br>The church was fervently praying for Peter's release (<a href="/acts/12-5.htm">Acts 12:5</a>). This highlights the power and importance of persistent prayer in the life of a believer.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_over_authorities.htm">God's Sovereignty Over Authorities</a></b><br>Despite Herod's intentions, God's will prevails. This reassures believers that no earthly power can thwart God's plans.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_acts_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Acts 12</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_angels_appear.htm">How do angels appear?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_the_bible_endorse_praying_to_angels.htm">What does the Bible say about praying to angels?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_outside_bible_for_peter's_escape.htm">Is there any historical or archaeological evidence outside the Bible to confirm Peter's miraculous prison escape in Acts 12?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/do_angels_sin_more_than_humans.htm">Do angels commit more sins than humans?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/acts/12.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(9) <span class= "bld">And wist not that it was true . . .</span>--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.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/acts/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 9.</span> <span class="accented">- Followed</span> for <span class="accented">followed him</span>, A.V. and T.R.; <span class="accented">he wist</span> for <span class="accented">wist</span>, A.V. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/acts/12-9.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">[So]</span><br /><span class="grk">&#922;&#945;&#8054;</span> <span class="translit">(Kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">[Peter] followed him</span><br /><span class="grk">&#7968;&#954;&#959;&#955;&#959;&#973;&#952;&#949;&#953;</span> <span class="translit">(&#275;kolouthei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_190.htm">Strong's 190: </a> </span><span class="str2">To accompany, attend, follow. Properly, to be in the same way with, i.e. To accompany.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">out,</span><br /><span class="grk">&#7952;&#958;&#949;&#955;&#952;&#8060;&#957;</span> <span class="translit">(exelth&#333;n)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1831.htm">Strong's 1831: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go out, come out. From ek and erchomai; to issue.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[but]</span><br /><span class="grk">&#954;&#945;&#8054;</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">he was unaware</span><br /><span class="grk">&#8084;&#948;&#949;&#953;</span> <span class="translit">(&#275;dei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Pluperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1492.htm">Strong's 1492: </a> </span><span class="str2">To know, remember, appreciate. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="grk">&#8005;&#964;&#953;</span> <span class="translit">(hoti)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> </span><span class="str2">Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">what</span><br /><span class="grk">&#964;&#8056;</span> <span class="translit">(to)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Nominative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the</span><br /><span class="grk">&#964;&#959;&#8166;</span> <span class="translit">(tou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Genitive Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">angel</span><br /><span class="grk">&#7936;&#947;&#947;&#941;&#955;&#959;&#965;</span> <span class="translit">(angelou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_32.htm">Strong's 32: </a> </span><span class="str2">From aggello; a messenger; especially an 'angel'; by implication, a pastor.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was doing</span><br /><span class="grk">&#947;&#953;&#957;&#972;&#956;&#949;&#957;&#959;&#957;</span> <span class="translit">(ginomenon)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1096.htm">Strong's 1096: </a> </span><span class="str2">A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was</span><br /><span class="grk">&#7952;&#963;&#964;&#953;&#957;</span> <span class="translit">(estin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> </span><span class="str2">I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">real.</span><br /><span class="grk">&#7936;&#955;&#951;&#952;&#941;&#962;</span> <span class="translit">(al&#275;thes)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_227.htm">Strong's 227: </a> </span><span class="str2">Unconcealed, true, true in fact, worthy of credit, truthful. TRUE.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">He only thought</span><br /><span class="grk">&#7952;&#948;&#972;&#954;&#949;&#953;</span> <span class="translit">(edokei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1380.htm">Strong's 1380: </a> </span><span class="str2">A prolonged form of a primary verb, doko dok'-o of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to seem.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he was seeing</span><br /><span class="grk">&#946;&#955;&#941;&#960;&#949;&#953;&#957;</span> <span class="translit">(blepein)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Infinitive Active<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_991.htm">Strong's 991: </a> </span><span class="str2">(primarily physical), I look, see, perceive, discern. A primary verb; to look at.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a vision.</span><br /><span class="grk">&#8005;&#961;&#945;&#956;&#945;</span> <span class="translit">(horama)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3705.htm">Strong's 3705: </a> </span><span class="str2">A spectacle, vision, that which is seen. From horao; something gazed at, i.e. A spectacle.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/acts/12-9.htm">Acts 12:9 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/acts/12-9.htm">Acts 12:9 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/acts/12-9.htm">Acts 12:9 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/acts/12-9.htm">Acts 12:9 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/acts/12-9.htm">Acts 12:9 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/acts/12-9.htm">Acts 12:9 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/acts/12-9.htm">Acts 12:9 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/acts/12-9.htm">Acts 12:9 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/acts/12-9.htm">Acts 12:9 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/acts/12-9.htm">Acts 12:9 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/acts/12-9.htm">NT Apostles: Acts 12:9 And he went out and followed him (Acts of the Apostles Ac) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/acts/12-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Acts 12:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Acts 12:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/acts/12-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Acts 12:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Acts 12:10" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>

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