Acts 12:5
Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μὲν
G3303
μὲν
Strong's:
G3303
Word #:
2 of 21
properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)
οὖν
therefore
G3767
οὖν
therefore
Strong's:
G3767
Word #:
3 of 21
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
Πέτρος
Peter
G4074
Πέτρος
Peter
Strong's:
G4074
Word #:
4 of 21
a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle
ἐτηρεῖτο
was kept
G5083
ἐτηρεῖτο
was kept
Strong's:
G5083
Word #:
5 of 21
to guard (from loss or injury, properly, by keeping the eye upon; and thus differing from g5442, which is properly to prevent escaping; and from g2892
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
φυλακῇ·
prison
G5438
φυλακῇ·
prison
Strong's:
G5438
Word #:
8 of 21
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
προσευχὴ
prayer
G4335
προσευχὴ
prayer
Strong's:
G4335
Word #:
9 of 21
prayer (worship); by implication, an oratory (chapel)
γινομένη
made
G1096
γινομένη
made
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
13 of 21
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
ὑπὸ
of
G5259
ὑπὸ
of
Strong's:
G5259
Word #:
14 of 21
under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐκκλησίας
the church
G1577
ἐκκλησίας
the church
Strong's:
G1577
Word #:
16 of 21
a calling out, i.e., (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (jewish synagogue, or christian community of members on earth
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
17 of 21
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸν
God
G2316
θεὸν
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
19 of 21
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
Cross References
1 Corinthians 12:26And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.James 5:16Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.2 Corinthians 1:11Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.1 Thessalonians 5:17Pray without ceasing.Matthew 18:19Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.Hebrews 13:3Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.Acts 12:12And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.Luke 18:1And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
Historical Context
During Passover (AD 44), Herod Agrippa I imprisoned Peter intending post-festival execution after beheading James (Acts 12:2). The church's prayer meeting at Mary's house (Acts 12:12) continued while Peter slept chained between soldiers.
Questions for Reflection
- How does corporate prayer access divine power in seemingly impossible situations?
- What role should sustained, united intercession play in facing opposition today?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The church's response to Peter's imprisonment—'prayer was made without ceasing'—demonstrates corporate intercession as primary spiritual warfare. The Greek 'ektenos' (earnestly/without ceasing) indicates intense, persistent prayer. This contrasts human helplessness with divine power accessed through united prayer.