Acts 12:19
What does Acts 12:19 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 12:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 12:19 means
Herod searches, finds Peter gone, interrogates the guards, and orders their execution—standard practice in such cases, but still an act of harshness. Unable to touch Peter, he punishes those under him and then leaves from Judæa to Cæsarea, remaining there. The move signals both a retreat from the failed spectacle he intended and a pivot to a different public stage. Herod’s power appears firm—he commands life and death—but his authority will soon be weighed by God. This verse bridges the prison scene to the political theater where Herod will seek glory and receive judgment.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judea to Cesarea, and there abode.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And Herod, when he sent for him, and he was not there, after questioning the watchmen, gave orders that they were to be put to death. Then he went down from Judaea to Caesarea for a time.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and Herod having sought for him, and not having found, having examined the guards, did command <FI>them<Fi> to be led away to punishment, and having gone down from Judea to Caesarea, he was abiding <FI>there<Fi> .
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And when Herod had sought for him and found him not, having examined the keepers, he commanded they should be put to death. And going down from Judea to Caesarea, he abode there.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Herod having sought him and not found him, having examined the guards, commanded [them] to be executed. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea and stayed [there].
Context
Following the soldiers’ panic, Herod takes decisive but brutal action. The executions highlight the cost of opposing God’s purposes and the fragility of human schemes. The geographical shift to Cæsarea prepares for the confrontation with the cities of Tyre and Sidon and for Herod’s formal oration in verses 20–23. The narrative is moving from failed suppression of the church to the exposure of Herod’s pride, setting up the climactic reversal that will end his career.
v.18Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.
v.19This passage
v.20Now he was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: and they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king’s chamberlain their friend, they asked for peace, because their country was fed from the king’s country.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Esther 6:12
And Mordecai came again to the king’s gate. But Haman hasted to his house, mourning and having his head covered.
- Acts 12:6
And when Herod was about to bring him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and guards before the door kept the prison.
- Jeremiah 36:26
And the king commanded Jerahmeel the king’s son, and Seraiah the son of Azriel, and Shelemiah the son of Abdeel, to take Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet; but Jehovah hid them.
- Matthew 2:13
Now when they were departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I tell thee: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
- Acts 25:13
Now when certain days were passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Cæsarea, and saluted Festus.
- Acts 21:8
And on the morrow we departed, and came unto Cæsarea: and entering into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we abode with him.
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