Acts 12 10

Acts 12:10 kjv

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 12:10 nkjv

When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.

Acts 12:10 niv

They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.

Acts 12:10 esv

When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him.

Acts 12:10 nlt

They passed the first and second guard posts and came to the iron gate leading to the city, and this opened for them all by itself. So they passed through and started walking down the street, and then the angel suddenly left him.

Acts 12 verses

Acts 12 10 Meaning

The verse describes Peter's supernatural deliverance from prison. An angel of the Lord miraculously broke his chains and guided him through the sleeping guards and the iron gate. The gate opened on its own, allowing Peter to pass into the city street and then he suddenly realized he was truly free.

Acts 12 10 Context

Acts chapter 12 recounts a period of severe persecution against the early Christian church in Jerusalem. King Herod Agrippa I, seeking to please the Jewish leaders and regain popularity, ordered the arrest of James, the brother of John, and had him executed by sword. Seeing the favorable response from the people, Herod then imprisoned Peter, intending to put him on trial after the Passover feast. The church, aware of this grave danger, prayed fervently and continuously for Peter's release (Acts 12:5). This verse (Acts 12:10) describes the miraculous execution of those prayers by divine intervention. The narrative underscores the theme of God's power to deliver His faithful servants, even from seemingly insurmountable situations.

Acts 12 10 Word Analysis

• And (και - kai): A coordinating conjunction linking the previous part of the action with the following, showing a sequence of events.
• When (δε - de): A particle indicating a transition or contrast. Here, it marks the moment the angel and Peter reached the next stage of their escape.
• they (αὐτοὶ - autoí): Referring to Peter and the angel.
• were past (διῆλθον - diêlthon): A verb meaning "to go through," "pass through," or "cross over." It emphasizes the completed action of passing the guards.
• the first (πρώτην - prṓtēn): The first, indicating the initial point of security or challenge.
• and (καὶ - kai): Connects "the first" and "the second ward."
• the second (δευτέραν - deutéran): The second, referring to the next layer of guards or security checkpoint.
• ward (φύλακην - phýlakēn): A guard post, guard detail, or military watch. This word signifies a secure area or confinement within the prison.
• they (αὐτοὶ - autoí): Again referring to Peter and the angel.
• came (ἦλθον - ē̂lthon): Another verb indicating arrival or reaching a destination.
• to (πρὸς - prós): A preposition indicating direction or proximity, reaching towards.
• the (τὴν - tḕn): Definite article.
• iron (σίδηρον - sídēron): Iron. Refers to a substantial gate made of iron.
• gate (πύλην - pýlēn): Gate, entrance, portal. A significant barrier to their escape.
• which (ἥτις - hḗtis): A relative pronoun introducing a clause that describes the gate.
• of (τῆς - tês): Of.
• itself (αὐτὴ - autḗ): The gate.
• opened (ἀνεῴχθη - anéōchthē): A passive, aorist form of ἀνοίγω (anoígō), meaning "to open." The passive voice highlights that the gate opened without human action, indicating supernatural cause.
• unto (εἰς - eís): Into, towards.
• them (αὐτούς - autoús): Peter and the angel.
• which (ἣν - hḕn): The gate.
• opened (ἀνεῴχθη - anéōchthē): Again emphasizes the self-opening.
• out (εἰς - eís): Into, out into.
• they (αὐτοὶ - autoí): Peter and the angel.
• went (ἐξῆλθον - exêlthon): Went out. The prefixed ἐξ (ex) emphasizes the exit or coming forth from confinement.
• and (καὶ - kai): Connects the act of exiting the gate with the following phrase.
• went (πορεύοντο - poréuontai): They were proceeding, walking, journeying. It denotes ongoing movement.
• along (ῥύμην - rhýmēn): A street, thoroughfare, lane. The place where their continued journey took them.
• one (μὴ - mē): Not.
• street (instead, the full phrase is along a street)
• after (the verb 'went' already implies this)
• another (referring to a single street, not multiple streets. The idea is that they walked along the street).
• ward (can also refer to a section or passage)

Group Analysis: The passage flows with precision. The repeated "they" clearly maintains focus on Peter and the angel. The verbs "past," "came," and "went" delineate the stages of movement from within the prison to outside on the street. The significant focus on the "iron gate" and its opening ("opened...opened") powerfully emphasizes the supernatural agency at play, as it bypasses all earthly security. The transition to "went along one street" signals their immediate immersion back into the normal world, yet now miraculously freed.

Acts 12 10 Bonus Section

The narrative of Peter's imprisonment and miraculous release in Acts 12 parallels earlier scriptural accounts of divine intervention. For instance, the prophet Elijah was ministered to by an angel after fleeing from Jezebel (1 Kings 19). Also, the disciples, upon hearing of Peter's deliverance, initially disbelieved the reports, attributing the success to his "angel" (Acts 12:15) rather than understanding the immediate, personal intervention. This moment also demonstrates the earnestness and effectiveness of the church's intercessory prayer, as described just before this verse (Acts 12:5). The historical context of Herod Agrippa I's rule and his known susceptibility to religious customs and popular opinion adds a layer to his aggressive actions against the church.

Acts 12 10 Commentary

This verse vividly illustrates the power of God working through His angelic host to effect miraculous deliverance. The sequential nature of the barriers – the first ward, the second ward, and the iron gate – highlights the progressively strengthening security Peter was under, making his escape through all of them, as they opened on their own, all the more remarkable. This supernatural opening signifies that no earthly impediment can withstand God's will when He intervenes for His people. The angelic guidance underscores the direct involvement of the heavenly realm in the affairs of believers on earth. The phrase "went along one street" indicates their immediate re-entry into the public sphere, a testament to the swiftness and totality of their escape, leaving no doubt that this was a divine act, not a mere human success.