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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Acts 12:2–7

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
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.
Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
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.
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

30 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 2

  1. Hebrews 11:37Rank 1 from verse 2
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    37They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

  2. Matthew 20:23Rank 2 from verse 2
    Open

    23And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.

  3. Matthew 4:21–22Rank 3 from verse 2
    Open

    21And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.

    22And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.

  4. Mark 10:35Rank 4 from verse 2
    Open

    35¶ And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.

  5. Mark 10:38Rank 5 from verse 2
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    38But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?

From verse 3

  1. Exodus 23:15Rank 1 from verse 3
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    15Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:)

  2. Acts 24:27Rank 2 from verse 3
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    27But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix’ room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.

  3. John 12:43Rank 3 from verse 3
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    43For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

  4. Leviticus 23:6–14Rank 4 from verse 3
    Open

    6And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the Lord: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread.

    7In the first day ye shall have an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.

    8But ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord seven days: in the seventh day is an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.

    9¶ And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

    10Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest:

    11And he shall wave the sheaf before the Lord, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it.

    12And ye shall offer that day when ye wave the sheaf an he lamb without blemish of the first year for a burnt offering unto the Lord.

    13And the meat offering thereof shall be two tenth deals of fine flour mingled with oil, an offering made by fire unto the Lord for a sweet savour: and the drink offering thereof shall be of wine, the fourth part of an hin.

    14And ye shall eat neither bread, nor parched corn, nor green ears, until the selfsame day that ye have brought an offering unto your God: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.

  5. Acts 25:9Rank 5 from verse 3
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    9But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?

From verse 4

  1. Proverbs 19:21Rank 1 from verse 4
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    21There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.

  2. Luke 22:33Rank 2 from verse 4
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    33And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.

  3. Luke 21:12Rank 3 from verse 4
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    12But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake.

  4. Acts 4:28Rank 4 from verse 4
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    28For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.

  5. John 13:36–38Rank 5 from verse 4
    Open

    36¶ Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.

    37Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.

    38Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.

From verse 5

  1. 1 Corinthians 12:26Rank 1 from verse 5
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    26And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

  2. James 5:16Rank 2 from verse 5
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    16Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

  3. 1 Thessalonians 5:17Rank 3 from verse 5
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    17Pray without ceasing.

  4. Ephesians 6:18–20Rank 4 from verse 5
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    18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

    19And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

    20For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

  5. 2 Corinthians 1:11Rank 5 from verse 5
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    11Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.

From verse 6

  1. Acts 21:33Rank 1 from verse 6
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    33Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done.

  2. Hebrews 13:6Rank 2 from verse 6
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    6So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

  3. 1 Samuel 23:26–27Rank 3 from verse 6
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    26And Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain: and David made haste to get away for fear of Saul; for Saul and his men compassed David and his men round about to take them.

    27¶ But there came a messenger unto Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land.

  4. 2 Timothy 1:16Rank 4 from verse 6
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    16The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:

  5. Ephesians 6:20Rank 5 from verse 6
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    20For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

From verse 7

  1. Acts 16:26Rank 1 from verse 7
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    26And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.

  2. Acts 5:19Rank 2 from verse 7
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    19But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,

  3. Psalms 146:7Rank 3 from verse 7
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    7Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The Lord looseth the prisoners:

  4. Psalms 105:18–20Rank 4 from verse 7
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    18Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron:

    19Until the time that his word came: the word of the Lord tried him.

    20The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free.

  5. Psalms 142:6–7Rank 5 from verse 7
    Open

    6Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.

    7Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Acts 12:2

COMBINED MEANING

killed

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of kill, meaning to cause death, slay, put to death, or destroy life.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

brother

↗

Sense 1: A male sibling; a near kinsman. Sense 2: A fellow member of a people or faith.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Acts 12:3

COMBINED MEANING

pleased

↗

Past-tense, past-participial, or adjectival form of please. Sense 1: Gave pleasure or satisfaction to, was agreeable or acceptable to, or was gratified. Sense 2: Chose, desired, willed, or saw fit.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

proceeded

↗

Past-tense or past-participial form of proceed (to go forth, come out, or continue onward).

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

further

↗

Sense 1: Farther in distance; more, additional, advanced, or to a greater degree. Sense 2: To advance, promote, help forward, or carry to greater progress.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

take

↗

To receive, seize, carry, accept, choose, or lay hold of.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893

DEFINED WORDS

Acts 12:4

COMBINED MEANING

put

↗

To place, set, lay, appoint, bring into a condition, or cause to be.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

delivered

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of deliver. Sense 1: To rescue, save, free, or bring safely out of danger or bondage. Sense 2: To hand over, give up, or place into another's power or possession. Sense 3: To bring forth, convey, declare, or commit something to another. Sense 4: To give birth or be delivered of a child.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

keep

↗

To guard, watch, protect, preserve, secure, retain, possess, hold, maintain, support, tend, manage, observe, obey, fulfil, celebrate, continue in, refrain from, or remain faithful to a person, place, trust, command, promise, way, time, or thing.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

after

↗

1. Later than or following in time or order. 2. Behind. 3. In pursuit of.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

Easter

↗

A named feast occurring in the Passover and days-of-unleavened-bread season.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

forth

↗

1. Outward, away, or forward from a place, person, possession, or former position. 2. In constructions of bearing or producing, into birth, growth, fruit, or another stated result. 3. With verbs such as put, stretch, spread, or reach, outward by extension or exertion. 4. In constructions of showing, speaking, issuing, or displaying, into view, expression, publication, or effect. 5. Onward from a stated time or point, as in from that time forth.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

people

↗

Persons collectively; a nation, community, or group considered as a body.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Acts 12:5

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

made

↗

Formed, caused, prepared, appointed, or brought into a stated condition.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

without

↗

Outside or on the exterior; beyond a boundary; lacking, absent, free from, not accompanied by, or apart from the person, thing, condition, means, or relation named.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

church

↗

Sense 1: An assembly or congregation belonging to God or Christ. Sense 2: In passages identifying the church with Christ's body, the body of which Christ is the head.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Acts 12:6

COMBINED MEANING

forth

↗

1. Outward, away, or forward from a place, person, possession, or former position. 2. In constructions of bearing or producing, into birth, growth, fruit, or another stated result. 3. With verbs such as put, stretch, spread, or reach, outward by extension or exertion. 4. In constructions of showing, speaking, issuing, or displaying, into view, expression, publication, or effect. 5. Onward from a stated time or point, as in from that time forth.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

night

↗

1. The dark part of the daily cycle distinguished from day, from evening until morning, or any portion of it. 2. A time or condition compared with night or darkness.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

sleeping

↗

Sense 1: Present-participial or verbal-noun form of sleep, meaning to rest in sleep. Sense 2: Figuratively, to lie in death.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

bound

↗

1. Tied, fastened, wrapped, bandaged, joined, confined, or restrained, literally or figuratively. 2. Placed under a vow, law, duty, obligation, or determined course. 3. Directed or travelling toward a stated place. 4. A limit or boundary.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

chains

↗

Sense 1: Series of connected links used as ornaments, restraints, or bonds. Sense 2: Figuratively, confinement, affliction, or surrounding force.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

keepers

↗

Persons who guard, watch, protect, tend, manage, maintain, or preserve a place, person, charge, home, gate, vineyard, or prisoner.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

before

↗

Earlier than in time; in front of; in the presence of; or prior in order or rank.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Acts 12:7

COMBINED MEANING

behold

↗

1. Used as an attention word or command directing someone to look at or take notice of the person, thing, statement, or event presented: look; see; take notice. 2. As a verb, to look upon, see, observe, or witness.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

angel

↗

Sense 1: A messenger. Sense 2: A heavenly or spiritual messenger, whether holy or fallen as stated.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

Lord

↗

1. A title of God or Jesus Christ acknowledging authority and rule. 2. A respectful title or address for one in authority.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

upon

↗

1. Marks the person, place, thing, or basis to which something is related: on or onto; above or over; toward or against as the target of action, speech, thought, attention, or force; resting on, assigned to, or affecting as a state, gift, burden, duty, guilt, or judgment; supported by or based on; or one placed, added, or repeated on or after another. 2. With a stated time or occasion, or a preceding event, at that time or point, or at or after that event: on, at, when, then, or following it.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

light

↗

Sense 1: Brightness or illumination. Sense 2: A source or opening that gives light. Sense 3: Figuratively, truth, knowledge, revelation, life, or favour contrasted with darkness. Sense 4: To illuminate or kindle. Sense 5: To alight or come upon. Sense 6: Slight, easy, swift, or not heavy.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

shined

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of shine, meaning to emit rays of light; to give light; to beam with steady radiance; to exhibit brightness or splendor. To give light, real or figurative.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

smote

↗

1. Struck or dealt a blow to a person or thing with a hand, weapon, instrument, object, or force. 2. Attacked, defeated, slew, destroyed, or devastated a person, army, city, people, or land. 3. Afflicted, injured, or visited with disease, plague, blindness, calamity, or judgment. 4. Of the heart, convicted, troubled, or reproved inwardly.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

on

↗

1. At, upon, or in contact with the named place, object, side, or time. 2. Toward, against, concerning, depending upon, or directed to the named person or thing. 3. Forward or continuing; in joined expressions such as go on, put on, and lay hold on, the other words supply the particular action.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

side

↗

Sense 1: A lateral part, edge, or surface. Sense 2: A party or position in a dispute.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

raised

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of raise. Sense 1: To rouse; to stir up. Sense 2: To lift or set upright. Sense 3: To exalt. Sense 4: To build or produce. Sense 5: To call forth. Sense 6: To restore to life.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

arise

↗

1. To rise, stand, get up, or move upward from a lower, lying, seated, fallen, or inactive position. 2. To begin, emerge, appear, come into being, or come forward. 3. To take action, intervene, or undertake the stated work. 4. To rise from death; to return to life.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

chains

↗

Sense 1: Series of connected links used as ornaments, restraints, or bonds. Sense 2: Figuratively, confinement, affliction, or surrounding force.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

fell

↗

1. Came or went down; dropped, bowed, lay flat, collapsed, or lost an upright or raised place. 2. Was slain, died, was overthrown, or came under another's hand or power. 3. Came upon, seized, or affected someone or something, or entered a stated condition such as sickness, sleep, fear, lusting, or a trance. 4. Attacked or set upon. 5. Happened or came to pass. 6. Joined, yielded, went over, or departed from a person, side, office, or former standing. 7. Was assigned or determined by lot or portion. 8. As the present verb fell, to cut or bring down a tree or other standing thing.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

hands

↗

Sense 1: The end parts of the arms used for holding and working. Sense 2: Figures of power, possession, agency, or aid.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

FOLLOW THE THEME

Related Concepts

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READ BEFORE AND AFTER

Surrounding Verses

Nearby Scripture remains separate from the selected passage until you add it.

1NOW about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.

2And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.

Selected passage

3And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)

Selected passage

4And 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.

Selected passage

5Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

Selected passage

6And 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.

Selected passage

7And, 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.

Selected passage

8And 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.

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