Acts 12:4
What does Acts 12:4 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 12:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 12:4 means
Peter is imprisoned under maximum security—four squads of soldiers, rotating through watches, ensure no escape. Herod intends a public spectacle “after the Passover,” aiming to satisfy the crowd and cement his power. Everything about the scene magnifies human control: chains, guards, and scheduled display. Yet the narrative implicitly contrasts this elaborate confinement with God’s freedom to act. No barrier—legal, physical, or political—limits the Lord. The timing also matters: Herod defers action for religious optics, but God is not bound by men’s calendars. The verse invites us to watch for divine intervention precisely when earthly power seems most organized and confident.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And when he had taken him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to guard him; intending after the Passover to bring him forth to the people.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And when he had taken him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to guard him; intending after the Passover to bring him forth to the people.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And having taken him, he put him in prison, with four bands of armed men to keep watch over him; his purpose being to take him out to the people after the Passover.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862whom also having seized, he did put in prison, having delivered <FI>him<Fi> to four quaternions of soldiers to guard him, intending after the passover to bring him forth to the people.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And when he had apprehended him, he cast him into prison, delivering him to four files of soldiers, to be kept, intending, after the pasch, to bring him forth to the people.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890whom having seized he put in prison, having delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep, purposing after the passover to bring him out to the people.
Context
This verse heightens the tension created in verses 1–3. The church has suffered a major loss, and now its prominent leader is confined under heavy guard with a firm plan for his public fate. The staging of soldiers and timing after the Passover sets up the crisis that drives the rest of the first half of the chapter. Verse 5 will introduce the church’s response—earnest prayer—placing side by side human means of control and the community’s appeal to God. The coming rescue will then be a clear answer to prayer and a demonstration that the Lord overrules human designs.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 4:3
And they laid hands on them, and put them in ward unto the morrow: for it was now eventide.
- Esther 3:6
But he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had made known to 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.
- John 19:23
The soldiers therefore, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also the coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.
- Luke 22:33
And he said unto him, Lord, with thee I am ready to go both to prison and to death.
- Lamentations 3:37
Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?
- Acts 16:23
And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Acts 12
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Acts 12.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Baptism
Baptism is a significant act symbolizing new life in Christ, repentance, and identification with his death, burial, and resurrection.
Topic
Bible Verses About Bible Reading
The Bible encourages us to read, study, and meditate on God’s Word to grow in faith and wisdom.
Topic
Bible Verses About Bitterness
Bitterness is a deep-seated resentment that can poison the heart, but God offers healing and freedom through forgiveness.
What the Bible says about…