Acts 12:4
And 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.
Original Language Analysis
ὃν
G3739
ὃν
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
1 of 20
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
2 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πιάσας
when he had apprehended
G4084
πιάσας
when he had apprehended
Strong's:
G4084
Word #:
3 of 20
to squeeze, i.e., seize (gently by the hand (press), or officially (arrest), or in hunting (capture))
ἔθετο
him he put
G5087
ἔθετο
him he put
Strong's:
G5087
Word #:
4 of 20
to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a passive or horizontal posture, and thus different from g2476, which pr
εἰς
him in
G1519
εἰς
him in
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
5 of 20
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
φυλακήν
prison
G5438
φυλακήν
prison
Strong's:
G5438
Word #:
6 of 20
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
παραδοὺς
and delivered
G3860
παραδοὺς
and delivered
Strong's:
G3860
Word #:
7 of 20
to surrender, i.e yield up, entrust, transmit
τετραδίοις
quaternions
G5069
τετραδίοις
quaternions
Strong's:
G5069
Word #:
9 of 20
a quaternion or squad (picket) of four roman soldiers
στρατιωτῶν
of soldiers
G4757
στρατιωτῶν
of soldiers
Strong's:
G4757
Word #:
10 of 20
a camper-out, i.e., a (common) warrior (literally or figuratively)
φυλάσσειν
to keep
G5442
φυλάσσειν
to keep
Strong's:
G5442
Word #:
11 of 20
to watch, i.e., be on guard (literally of figuratively); by implication, to preserve, obey, avoid
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
12 of 20
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
μετὰ
after
G3326
μετὰ
after
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
14 of 20
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πάσχα
Easter
G3957
πάσχα
Easter
Strong's:
G3957
Word #:
16 of 20
the passover (the meal, the day, the festival or the special sacrifices connected with it)
ἀναγαγεῖν
forth
G321
ἀναγαγεῖν
forth
Strong's:
G321
Word #:
17 of 20
to lead up; by extension to bring out; specially, to sail away
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
18 of 20
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
Cross References
Proverbs 19:21There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.Luke 22:33And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.Luke 21:12But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.Acts 4:28For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.
Historical Context
Four quaternions equals sixteen soldiers (four squads of four), rotating guard duty. After Easter (Greek: Passover) indicates Herod waited until festival concluded, avoiding public disruption. This imprisonment around 44 CE represented intensified persecution after Stephen's martyrdom and James's execution (Acts 12:2). Herod Agrippa I sought Jewish approval through persecuting Christian leaders, but God would dramatically deliver Peter.
Questions for Reflection
- How does elaborate human security highlight divine deliverance's miraculous nature?
- What role does persecution play in demonstrating gospel's supernatural power?
- In what ways do political leaders' religious manipulation reveal spiritual warfare?
- How should believers respond when facing overwhelming odds?
- What does God's deliverance teach about sovereignty over human authorities?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And 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. Herod's elaborate security—sixteen soldiers guarding Peter—demonstrates both Peter's perceived danger and sets stage for miraculous deliverance.