Acts 12:9
◄  Acts 12:9  ►
New International Version (©2011)
Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision.

New Living Translation (©2007)
So Peter left the cell, following the angel. But all the time he thought it was a vision. He didn't realize it was actually happening.

English Standard Version (©2001)
And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
And he went out and continued to follow, and he did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
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.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
So he went out and followed, and he did not know that what took place through the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.

International Standard Version (©2012)
So Peter went out and began to follow him, not realizing that what was being done by the angel was real; he thought he was seeing a vision.

NET Bible (©2006)
Peter went out and followed him; he did not realize that what was happening through the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English (©2010)
And he went out and followed him while he did not know that this was real which was happening by the hand of The Angel, for he thought that he was seeing a vision.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Peter followed the angel out of the cell. He didn't realize that what the angel was doing was actually happening. He thought he was seeing a vision.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
And he went out, and followed him; and knew not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.

American King James Version
And he went out, and followed him; and knew not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.

American Standard Version
And he went out, and followed; and he knew not that it was true which was done by the angel, but thought he saw a vision.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And going out, he followed him, and he knew not that it was true which was done by the angel: but thought he saw a vision.

Darby Bible Translation
And going forth he followed him and did not know that what was happening by means of the angel was real, but supposed he saw a vision.

English Revised Version
And he went out, and followed; and he wist not that it was true which was done by the angel, but thought he saw a vision.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he went out, and followed him, and knew not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.

Weymouth New Testament
So Peter went out, following him, yet could not believe that what the angel was doing was real, but supposed that he saw a vision.

World English Bible
And he went out and followed him. He didn't know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he saw a vision.

Young's Literal Translation
and having gone forth, he was following him, and he knew not that it is true that which is done through the messenger, and was thinking he saw a vision,

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

12:6-11 A peaceful conscience, a lively hope, and the consolations of the Holy Spirit, can keep men calm in the full prospect of death; even those very persons who have been most distracted with terrors on that account. God's time to help, is when things are brought to the last extremity. Peter was assured that the Lord would cause this trial to end in the way that should be most for his glory. Those who are delivered out of spiritual imprisonment must follow their Deliverer, like the Israelites when they went out of the house of bondage. They knew not whither they went, but knew whom they followed. When God will work salvation for his people, all difficulties in their way will be overcome, even gates of iron are made to open of their own accord. This deliverance of Peter represents our redemption by Christ, which not only proclaims liberty to the captives, but brings them out of the prison-house. Peter, when he recollected himself, perceived what great things God had done for him. Thus souls delivered out of spiritual bondage, are not at first aware what God has wrought in them; many have the truth of grace, that want evidence of it. But when the Comforter comes, whom the Father will send, sooner or later, he will let them know what a blessed change is wrought.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 9. - Followed for followed him, A.V. and T.R.; he wist for wist, A.V.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And he went out and followed him,.... He came out from between the two soldiers, and out of that apartment in the prison, in which he was, and followed the angel where he led him:

and wist not that it was true that was done by the angel; not that he thought the angel was a mere apparition, and all this that was done was a delusion; but he did not know whether this was matter of fact, or whether it was, not represented to him in a visionary way, as what could be, or would be done:

but thought he saw a vision; imagined he was in a dream or a trance, and only saw these things in a vision, and that they were not really done, the whole was so amazing and astonishing.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

9. wist not that it was true; but thought he saw a vision—So little did the apostle look for deliverance!

Acts 12:9 Parallel Commentaries

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Peter Rescued
…8And the angel said to him, Gird yourself, and bind on your sandals. And so he did. And he said to him, Cast your garment about you, and follow me. 9And he went out, and followed him; and knew not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. 10When they were past the first and the second ward, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and immediately the angel departed from him. …

Psalm 126:1 A song of ascents. When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed.
Acts 9:10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, "Ananias!" "Yes, Lord," he answered.
Acts 12:8 Then the angel said to him, "Put on your clothes and sandals." And Peter did so. "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me," the angel told him.