Acts 12:6
And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.
Original Language Analysis
ἔμελλεν
would
G3195
ἔμελλεν
would
Strong's:
G3195
Word #:
3 of 28
to intend, i.e., be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probabili
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 28
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
προάγειν
forth
G4254
προάγειν
forth
Strong's:
G4254
Word #:
5 of 28
to lead forward (magisterially); intransitively, to precede (in place or time (participle, previous))
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐκείνῃ
the same
G1565
ἐκείνῃ
the same
Strong's:
G1565
Word #:
10 of 28
that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Πέτρος
Peter
G4074
Πέτρος
Peter
Strong's:
G4074
Word #:
13 of 28
a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle
κοιμώμενος
sleeping
G2837
κοιμώμενος
sleeping
Strong's:
G2837
Word #:
14 of 28
to put to sleep, i.e., (passively or reflexively) to slumber; figuratively, to decease
μεταξὺ
between
G3342
μεταξὺ
between
Strong's:
G3342
Word #:
15 of 28
betwixt (of place or person); (of time) as adjective, intervening, or (by implication) adjoining
στρατιωτῶν
soldiers
G4757
στρατιωτῶν
soldiers
Strong's:
G4757
Word #:
17 of 28
a camper-out, i.e., a (common) warrior (literally or figuratively)
δεδεμένος
bound
G1210
δεδεμένος
bound
Strong's:
G1210
Word #:
18 of 28
to bind (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
πρὸ
before
G4253
πρὸ
before
Strong's:
G4253
Word #:
23 of 28
"fore", i.e., in front of, prior (figuratively, superior) to
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
24 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θύρας
the door
G2374
θύρας
the door
Strong's:
G2374
Word #:
25 of 28
a portal or entrance (the opening or the closure, literally or figuratively)
ἐτήρουν
kept
G5083
ἐτήρουν
kept
Strong's:
G5083
Word #:
26 of 28
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
Cross References
Acts 21:33Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done.Hebrews 13:6So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.2 Timothy 1:16The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:Ephesians 6:20For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Historical Context
Paphos was Cyprus's capital and provincial proconsul's residence. Barjesus (son of Jesus/Joshua) represents Jewish syncretism—claiming biblical heritage while practicing sorcery forbidden by Torah (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). False prophets plagued Israel throughout history. Around 47-48 CE, this encounter established pattern—gospel advance provokes spiritual opposition. Barjesus represents entrenched religious deception resisting truth.
Questions for Reflection
- How can religious heritage coexist with spiritual deception?
- What dangers exist when biblical identity masks false teaching?
- In what ways does gospel advancement inevitably confront spiritual opposition?
- Why does God record conflicts with false teachers?
- What does Jewish sorcerer reveal about covenant community's spiritual vulnerability?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus: The encounter with Jewish false prophet demonstrates spiritual opposition even within covenant community and foreshadows recurring conflict between gospel and false religion.