Read the Bible
KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Acts 12:4–6

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
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.
5Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
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.
Share
Email linkOpen a new message in your email app
Read chapterReport
More

PASSAGE SELECTION

Build from either side

3 selected · 22 available

Add or remove verses within this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

All 43 ranked passages are available for comparison.

Acts 12:4Cross-references · 18 ranked passages

  1. Open

    21There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.

  2. Open

    33And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.

  3. Open

    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
    Open

    28For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.

  5. 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.

  6. Acts 4:3Rank 6
    Open

    3And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.

  7. Open

    13And the letters were sent by posts into all the king’s provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey.

  8. Open

    6And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.

    7¶ In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar.

  9. Open

    18Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.

  10. Open

    9Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.

  11. Open

    5But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.

  12. Open

    64Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.

    65Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.

    66So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.

  13. Open

    1BOAST not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

  14. Open

    23And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:

    24Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.

  15. Acts 5:18Rank 15
    Open

    18And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.

  16. Acts 8:3Rank 16
    Open

    3As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

  17. John 19:23Rank 17
    Open

    23¶ Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.

  18. Open

    37¶ Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?

Acts 12:5Cross-references · 10 ranked passages

  1. Open

    26And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

  2. Open

    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. Open

    17Pray without ceasing.

  4. Open

    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. Open

    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.

  6. Open

    19Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

  7. Open

    12And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.

  8. Luke 18:1Rank 8
    Open

    1AND he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

  9. Open

    3Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

  10. Open

    6I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence,

    7And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.

Acts 12:6Cross-references · 15 ranked passages

  1. Open

    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. Open

    6So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

  3. Open

    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. Open

    16The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:

  5. Open

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

  6. Open

    6Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

    7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

  7. Open

    20For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.

  8. Acts 5:23Rank 8
    Open

    23Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.

  9. Open

    14And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen.

  10. Open

    4And now, behold, I loose thee this day from the chains which were upon thine hand. If it seem good unto thee to come with me into Babylon, come; and I will look well unto thee: but if it seem ill unto thee to come with me into Babylon, forbear: behold, all the land is before thee: whither it seemeth good and convenient for thee to go, thither go.

  11. Open

    4And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

  12. Open

    5I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me.

    6I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.

  13. Psalms 4:8Rank 13
    Open

    8I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.

  14. Open

    3Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

    4Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:

  15. Open

    26I said, I would scatter them into corners, I would make the remembrance of them to cease from among men:

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

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

READ THE PASSAGE

View in context

Suggested context · Acts 12:1–12

The selected passage is highlighted. Context is a study aid.

12:1NOW about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.

12:2And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.

12:3And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)

12:4And 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

12:5Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

Selected passage

12:6And 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

12:7And, 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.

12:8And 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.

12:9And 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.

12:10When 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.

12:11And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.

12:12And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.

LOCAL PASTOR DIRECTORY

Ask a Pastor Near You

Enter a postal code or city and region to find nearby pastors committed to holding fast the faithful word.

Search runs in your browser using downloaded location data. It does not contact churches or a geocoding service. Approximate city and postal-area locations from GeoNames, licensed under CC BY 4.0.