Acts 12:9
And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἠκολούθει
and followed
G190
ἠκολούθει
and followed
Strong's:
G190
Word #:
3 of 19
properly, to be in the same way with, i.e., to accompany (specially, as a disciple)
αὐτῷ·
him
G846
αὐτῷ·
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 19
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 #:
5 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ᾔδει
wist
G1492
ᾔδει
wist
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
7 of 19
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
8 of 19
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
τοῦ
which
G3588
τοῦ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γινόμενον
was done
G1096
γινόμενον
was done
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
12 of 19
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
διὰ
by
G1223
διὰ
by
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
13 of 19
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τοῦ
which
G3588
τοῦ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀγγέλου·
the angel
G32
ἀγγέλου·
the angel
Strong's:
G32
Word #:
15 of 19
compare g0034) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor
ἐδόκει
thought
G1380
ἐδόκει
thought
Strong's:
G1380
Word #:
16 of 19
compare the base of g1166) of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to seem (truthfully or uncertainly)
Historical Context
Wist not means didn't know or understand. Peter's confusion between vision and reality shows genuine supernatural experience transcending normal perception. Having received rooftop vision previously (Acts 10:9-16), Peter initially categorized this similarly. The uncertainty adds authenticity—fabricated accounts wouldn't include protagonist's confusion. Around 44 CE, this deliverance demonstrated God's sovereign protection of apostolic leadership.
Questions for Reflection
- Why do supernatural experiences sometimes blur distinction between vision and reality?
- How does honest confusion strengthen rather than weaken testimony's credibility?
- In what ways do extraordinary divine acts transcend normal perception?
- What role does gradual understanding play in processing supernatural events?
- How should believers discern between spiritual vision and physical reality?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. Peter's uncertainty about reality—thinking it was vision—demonstrates the experience's supernatural character while showing human processing of extraordinary events.