📖 Acts — Chapter 12 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Red lettering identifies words spoken by Jesus; it is an editorial reading aid. Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Acts 12:1 Now about that time Herod the king Rstretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.
Acts 12:2 And he killed RJames the brother of John with the sword.
Acts 12:3 And because Rhe saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)
Acts 12:4 And when he had apprehended him, Rhe 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.
Acts 12:5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
Acts 12:6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, Rthe same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.
Acts 12:7 And, behold, Rthe 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.
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 Rhe 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 Rthe 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 12:11 And when Peter Rwas 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.
Acts 12:12 And when he had considered the thing, Rhe came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.
Acts 12:13 And as Peter Rknocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.
Acts 12:14 And when she knew Peter’s voice, Rshe opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.
Acts 12:15 And they said unto her, RThou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.
Acts 12:16 But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.
Acts 12:17 But he, Rbeckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.
Acts 12:18 Now as soon as it was day, Rthere was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.
Acts 12:19 And when Herod had Rsought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there abode.
Acts 12:20 And Herod was highly displeased with them of RTyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king’s chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king’s country.
Acts 12:21 And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.
Acts 12:22 And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.
Acts 12:23 And immediately Rthe angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.
Acts 12:24 RBut the word of God grew and multiplied.
Acts 12:25 And RBarnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Acts 12:1–11 — Peter is delivered while the church prays
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Herod kills James and imprisons Peter under guard. The church prays, and an angel leads Peter out past the guards and gate; he then recognizes the Lord’s deliverance.
Key Truth: Pray faithfully without denying the seriousness of suffering.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “Now about that ____ Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain …” (Acts 12:1)
Find it in Acts 12:1 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “And when ____ would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was …” (Acts 12:6)
Find it in Acts 12:6 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “____ therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without …” (Acts 12:5)
Find it in Acts 12:5 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Acts 12:12–19 — The praying company is surprised by Peter’s return
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Peter reaches Mary’s house, where Rhoda recognizes his voice but is not believed at first. He reports the Lord’s deliverance, while Herod investigates the escape and acts against the guards.
Key Truth: Remain open to an answer that surprises your expectations.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “… the thing, he came to the house of Mary the ____ of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered …” (Acts 12:12)
Find it in Acts 12:12 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “And as ____ knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came …” (Acts 12:13)
Find it in Acts 12:13 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “… the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to ____ . And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and …” (Acts 12:19)
Find it in Acts 12:19 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Acts 12:20–25 — Herod’s accepted glory is confronted while the word grows
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Herod receives the crowd’s acclaim as if he were a god and fails to give glory to God. His death contrasts with the growth of God’s word, and Barnabas and Saul complete their service and return.
Key Truth: Give God glory rather than accepting worship of human power.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “… to him, and, having made Blastus the king’s chamberlain their ____ , desired peace; because their country was nourished by the …” (Acts 12:20)
Find it in Acts 12:20 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “And ____ the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave …” (Acts 12:23)
Find it in Acts 12:23 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “And ____ and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their …” (Acts 12:25)
Find it in Acts 12:25 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Psalms 115:1 — The psalm directs glory to the Lord rather than to people.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
How can prayer and humility guide your response to a difficult circumstance?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. Which account best distinguishes Acts 12:1–11 (Peter is delivered while the church prays) from the other movements of this chapter?
2. Which account best distinguishes Acts 12:12–19 (The praying company is surprised by Peter’s return) from the other movements of this chapter?
3. Which account best distinguishes Acts 12:20–25 (Herod’s accepted glory is confronted while the word grows) from the other movements of this chapter?
4. What contrast accompanies Peter's imprisonment?
5. What outcome contrasts with the chapter's persecution and Herod's end?
Notes
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