Acts 12:10
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.
Original Language Analysis
φυλακὴν
ward
G5438
φυλακὴν
ward
Strong's:
G5438
Word #:
4 of 33
a guarding or (concretely, guard), the act, the person; figuratively, the place, the condition, or (specially), the time (as a division of day or nigh
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
5 of 33
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
δευτέραν
the second
G1208
δευτέραν
the second
Strong's:
G1208
Word #:
6 of 33
(ordinal) second (in time, place, or rank; also adverb)
ἦλθον
they came
G2064
ἦλθον
they came
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
7 of 33
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
ἐπὶ
unto
G1909
ἐπὶ
unto
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
8 of 33
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πύλην
gate
G4439
πύλην
gate
Strong's:
G4439
Word #:
10 of 33
a gate, i.e., the leaf or wing of a folding entrance (literally or figuratively)
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
φέρουσαν
that leadeth
G5342
φέρουσαν
that leadeth
Strong's:
G5342
Word #:
14 of 33
to "bear" or carry (in a very wide application, literally and figuratively, as follows)
εἰς
unto
G1519
εἰς
unto
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
15 of 33
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πόλιν
the city
G4172
πόλιν
the city
Strong's:
G4172
Word #:
17 of 33
a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size)
αὐτομάτη
of his own accord
G844
αὐτομάτη
of his own accord
Strong's:
G844
Word #:
19 of 33
self-moved ("automatic"), i.e., spontaneous
ἠνοίχθη
opened
G455
ἠνοίχθη
opened
Strong's:
G455
Word #:
20 of 33
to open up (literally or figuratively, in various applications)
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
21 of 33
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
22 of 33
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
προῆλθον
and passed on through
G4281
προῆλθον
and passed on through
Strong's:
G4281
Word #:
24 of 33
to go onward, precede (in place or time)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
27 of 33
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀπέστη
departed
G868
ἀπέστη
departed
Strong's:
G868
Word #:
29 of 33
to remove, i.e., (actively) instigate to revolt; usually (reflexively) to desist, desert, etc
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
30 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἄγγελος
the angel
G32
ἄγγελος
the angel
Strong's:
G32
Word #:
31 of 33
compare g0034) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor
Cross References
Historical Context
First and second ward were prison security checkpoints. Iron gate provided final barrier to city street. Each opening 'of its own accord' showed divine, not human, agency—no lockpicking, no bribery, pure miracle. One street distance ensured Peter's safety before angel departed. This deliverance around 44 CE paralleled Israel's Exodus—divine power liberating enslaved people from powerful oppressor.
Questions for Reflection
- How does progressive obstacle removal demonstrate divine power's completeness?
- What does 'of its own accord' reveal about miracle's supernatural nature?
- In what ways does God ensure complete deliverance rather than partial?
- Why does angel depart once Peter reaches safety?
- What parallels exist between this deliverance and Israel's Exodus?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
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. The progressive obstacles—two wards, iron gate—each supernaturally overcome, demonstrate complete divine control while gate opening 'of its own accord' emphasizes miracle's nature.