Devine Scripture

Acts 12:18

What does Acts 12:18 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 12:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 12:18 means

At daybreak, the soldiers face confusion and alarm—Peter has vanished despite tight security. The phrase “no small stir” conveys a serious crisis: honor, duty, and lives are at stake. The inexplicable disappearance underlines the miracle; no natural explanation fits the facts. The guards’ agitation also foreshadows judgment within the system that opposed God’s work. Human structures, confident the night before, awaken powerless and exposed. This turmoil contrasts with Peter’s quiet exit and the church’s joy, showing how God’s deliverance disrupts the plans and peace of those who sought to suppress His servants.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Now when it was day, the armed men were greatly troubled about what had become of Peter.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And day having come, there was not a little stir among the soldiers what then was become of Peter,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Now when day was come, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And when it was day there was no small disturbance among the soldiers, what then was become of Peter.

Context

With Peter safely away and the believers informed, the narrative turns to the fallout inside the prison. This verse sets up Herod’s response in verse 19, where his search, interrogation, and punishment of the guards display the ruthlessness of his rule. The transition prepares the reader for a geographical shift to Cæsarea and the next episode, where Herod’s pride will meet divine judgment, mirroring the angelic intervention that saved Peter.

v.17But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him forth out of the prison. And he said, Tell these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went to another place.

v.18This passage

v.19And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the guards, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judæa to Cæsarea, and tarried there.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 5:22

    But the officers that came found them not in the prison; and they returned, and told,

  • Acts 16:27

    And the jailor, being roused out of sleep and seeing the prison doors open, drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped.

  • Acts 19:23

    And about that time there arose no small stir concerning the Way.

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