King James Version
Acts 12:5 in the King James Version says “Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. prayer: or, inst...” — study this verse from Acts chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.
“Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. prayer: or, instant and earnest prayer was made”
Acts 12:5 · KJV
And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)
And 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. Easter: Gr. Passover quaternions: a file of four soldiers
Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. prayer: or, instant and earnest prayer was made
And 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.
And, 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.
KJV Study — Public Domain
properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)
“was kept”
G5083to guard (from loss or injury, properly, by keeping the eye upon; and thus differing from g5442, which is properly to prevent escaping; and from g2892
“prison”
G5438a guarding or (concretely, guard), the act, the person; figuratively, the place, the condition, or (specially), the time (as a division of day or nigh
“made”
G1096to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
“of”
G5259under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (
“the church”
G1577a calling out, i.e., (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (jewish synagogue, or christian community of members on earth
“unto”
G4314a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
“God”
G2316a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
“for”
G5228"over", i.e., (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case super
“him”
G846the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Acts 12:5 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
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