King James Version

What Does Acts 12:6 Mean?

Acts 12:6 in the King James Version says “And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chai... — study this verse from Acts chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

Acts 12:6 · KJV


Context

4

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

5

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

6

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.

7

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.

8

And 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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus: The encounter with Jewish false prophet demonstrates spiritual opposition even within covenant community and foreshadows recurring conflict between gospel and false religion.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Paphos was Cyprus's capital and provincial proconsul's residence. Barjesus (son of Jesus/Joshua) represents Jewish syncretism—claiming biblical heritage while practicing sorcery forbidden by Torah (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). False prophets plagued Israel throughout history. Around 47-48 CE, this encounter established pattern—gospel advance provokes spiritual opposition. Barjesus represents entrenched religious deception resisting truth.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can religious heritage coexist with spiritual deception?
  2. What dangers exist when biblical identity masks false teaching?
  3. In what ways does gospel advancement inevitably confront spiritual opposition?
  4. Why does God record conflicts with false teachers?
  5. What does Jewish sorcerer reveal about covenant community's spiritual vulnerability?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 28 words
Ὅτε1 of 28

when

G3753

at which (thing) too, i.e., when

δὲ2 of 28

And

G1161

but, and, etc

ἔμελλεν3 of 28

would

G3195

to intend, i.e., be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probabili

αὐτὸν4 of 28

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

προάγειν5 of 28

forth

G4254

to lead forward (magisterially); intransitively, to precede (in place or time (participle, previous))

6 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἡρῴδης7 of 28

Herod

G2264

heroic; herod, the name of four jewish kings

τῇ8 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

νυκτὶ9 of 28

night

G3571

"night" (literally or figuratively)

ἐκείνῃ10 of 28

the same

G1565

that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed

ἦν11 of 28

was

G2258

i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)

12 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Πέτρος13 of 28

Peter

G4074

a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle

κοιμώμενος14 of 28

sleeping

G2837

to put to sleep, i.e., (passively or reflexively) to slumber; figuratively, to decease

μεταξὺ15 of 28

between

G3342

betwixt (of place or person); (of time) as adjective, intervening, or (by implication) adjoining

δυσίν16 of 28

two

G1417

"two"

στρατιωτῶν17 of 28

soldiers

G4757

a camper-out, i.e., a (common) warrior (literally or figuratively)

δεδεμένος18 of 28

bound

G1210

to bind (in various applications, literally or figuratively)

ἁλύσεσιν19 of 28

chains

G254

a fetter or manacle

δυσίν20 of 28

two

G1417

"two"

φύλακές21 of 28

the keepers

G5441

a watcher or sentry

τε22 of 28

and

G5037

both or also (properly, as correlation of g2532)

πρὸ23 of 28

before

G4253

"fore", i.e., in front of, prior (figuratively, superior) to

τῆς24 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θύρας25 of 28

the door

G2374

a portal or entrance (the opening or the closure, literally or figuratively)

ἐτήρουν26 of 28

kept

G5083

to 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

τὴν27 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

φυλακήν28 of 28

the prison

G5438

a guarding or (concretely, guard), the act, the person; figuratively, the place, the condition, or (specially), the time (as a division of day or nigh


Study Guide

Historical Context

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.

Theological Significance

Acts 12:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 12:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study