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Acts 12:9

New Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Acts 12:9 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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.
Acts 12:9 — American Standard Version

Context — Acts 12

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
6And when Herod was about to bring him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and guards before the door kept the prison.
7And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shined in the cell: and he smote Peter on the side, and awoke him, saying, Rise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.
8And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And he did so. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.
9And 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.
10And when they were past the first and the second guard, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth into the city; which opened to them of its own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and straightway the angel departed from him.
11And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a truth, that the Lord hath sent forth his angel and delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.
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 and were praying.
← Acts 12:8Acts 12:10 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And he went out and followed him, etc.] 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.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“wist not that it was true; but thought he saw a vision--So little did the apostle look for deliverance!”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And wist not - Knew not. That it was true - That it was real. But thought he saw a vision - He supposed that it was a representation made to his mind similar to what he had seen before. Compare Acts 10:11-12. It was so astonishing, so unexpected, so wonderful, that he could not realize that it was true. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“he went: Act 26:19; Gen 6:22; Joh 2:5; Heb 11:8 wist not: That is, he knew not; wist being the past tense of the obsolete verb to wis, from the Saxon wissan, in German wissen and Dutch wysen to think, imagine, know. Act 10:3, Act 10:17, Act 11:5; Gen 45:26; Psa 126:1; Co2 12:1-3 Acts 12:10”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification