Acts 12:9
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.
Acts 12:9 in other translations
| BSB | 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. |
|---|---|
| WEB | 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. |
| ASV | 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. |
| YLT | 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, |
| DARBY | And going forth he followed him and did not know that what was happening by means of the angel was real, but supposed he saw a vision. |
| BBE | And he went out after him; and he was not certain if what was done by the angel was a fact, for it seemed to him that he was seeing a vision. |
| Webster | 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. |
What does Acts 12:9 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Acts 12:7-11
7-11. the angel of the Lord--rather, "an angel." came upon him--so in Lu 2:9, expressive of the unexpected nature of the visit. smote Peter on the side ... Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off ... Gird thyself ... And so he did ... Cast thy garment--tunic, which he had thrown off for the night.
Barnes' Notes
Saw a vision. That is, was a representation made to his mind, similar to that which he had seen before. Comp. Acts 10:11,12. It was so astonishing, so unexpected, so wonderful, that he could not realize that it was true.
() "wist" "knew" (c) "that it was" Ps 126:1 (*) "true" "real" (d) "vision" Acts 10:3,17
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Acts 12:6-11
A peaceful conscience, a lively hope, and the consolations of the Holy Spirit, can keep men calm in the full prospect of death; even those very persons who have been most distracted with terrors on that account. God's time to help, is when things are brought to the last extremity. Peter was assured that the Lord would cause this trial to end in the way that should be most for his glory. Those who are delivered out…
Acts 12:9 in the original Greek
Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for Acts 12:9
- Psalms 126:1
A Song of degrees. When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.
- Hebrews 11:8
By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
- 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.
- Acts 26:19
Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:
- Acts 10:3
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:
- Acts 9:10
And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
- John 2:5
His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
- 2 Corinthians 12:1-3
It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
- Acts 10:17
Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate,
Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
26:19; Ge 6:22; Joh 2:5; Heb 11:8
wist not.That is, he knew not; wist being the past tense of the obsolete verb to wis, from the Saxon wissan, in German {wissen,} and Dutch {wysen,} to think, imagine, know.
10:3,17; 11:5; Ge 45:26; Ps 126:1; 2Co 12:1-3
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain
Context
- Acts 12:8
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.
- Acts 12:9
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.
- Acts 12:10
When 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.
Acts 12:9 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Y saliendo, le seguía; y no sabía que era verdad lo que hacía el ángel, mas pensaba que veía visión. |
|---|---|
| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Et sortant, il le suivit; et il ne savait pas que ce qui se faisait par l’ange était réel, mais il croyait voir une vision. |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Und er ging hinaus und folgte ihm und wußte nicht, daß es Wirklichkeit war, was durch den Engel geschah; er meinte aber, ein Gesicht zu sehen. |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Et exiens sequebatur eum, et nesciebat quia verum est, quod fiebat per angelum: existimabat autem se visum videre. |