Acts 12:4

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And when he had apprehended him, he put [him] in prison, and delivered [him] to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.

Complete Jewish Bible:

so when Herod seized him, he threw him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each, with the intention of bringing him to public trial after Pesach.

Berean Standard Bible:

He arrested him and put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out to the people after the Passover.

American Standard Version:

And when he had taken him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to guard him; intending after the Passover to bring him forth to the people.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And^{{G3739}{G2532}} when he had apprehended^{G4084} him, he put^{G5087} him in^{G1519} prison^{G5438}, and delivered^{G3860} him to four^{G5064} quaternions^{G5069} of soldiers^{G4757} to keep^{G5442} him^{G846}; intending^{G1014} after^{G3326} Easter^{G3957} to bring^{G321} him^{G846} forth^{G321} to the people^{G2992}.

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Commentary for Acts 12:4

Acts 12:4 recounts a pivotal moment in the early Christian church, specifically the imprisonment of the Apostle Peter by King Herod Agrippa I. The verse is set during a period of intense persecution of the church, which Herod initiated to curry favor with the Jewish leaders who were antagonistic towards the burgeoning Christian movement.

In this verse, we see Herod's intent to ensure Peter's secure detainment by assigning him to the custody of sixteen soldiers—four squads, each called a "quaternion," which typically consisted of four soldiers. This detail underscores the high level of security placed around Peter, emphasizing the perceived threat he posed to the authorities and the importance of his role in the early church.

The mention of "Easter" in the King James Version is a subject of some debate among scholars. The Greek word used here is "πάσχα" (pascha), which generally refers to Passover. The choice of the term "Easter" likely reflects the influence of the early church's liturgical calendar, where the term came to be associated with the resurrection of Jesus, which occurred during the Passover festival. Herod's intention to bring Peter forth to the people after Easter suggests a strategic timing, possibly to avoid unrest during the significant Jewish festival or to make a public spectacle of Peter once the religious observances had concluded.

The historical context of Acts 12:4 is rooted in the political and religious tensions of first-century Judea. Herod Agrippa I, a grandson of Herod the Great, sought to solidify his rule and placate the Jewish leadership by taking action against influential Christians like Peter and, earlier, James the brother of John, who was executed as recounted in Acts 12:2.

This verse sets the stage for the miraculous deliverance of Peter by an angel of the Lord, as described in the subsequent verses, which not only highlights the divine protection extended to the apostles but also serves as a narrative of hope and the triumph of faith amidst persecution. The themes of divine intervention, the resilience of the early church, and the fulfillment of God's purposes despite human opposition are central to the account in Acts 12.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G3739
   There are 1215 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὅς
   Transliteration: hós
   Pronunciation: ho
   Description: probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article ὁ); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc. See also οὗ.
   
2. Strong's Number: G2532
   There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καί
   Transliteration: kaí
   Pronunciation: kahee
   Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
   
3. Strong's Number: G4084
   There are 12 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πιάζω
   Transliteration: piázō
   Pronunciation: pee-ad'-zo
   Description: probably another form of βιάζω; to squeeze, i.e. seize (gently by the hand (press), or officially (arrest), or in hunting (capture)):--apprehend, catch, lay hand on, take. Compare πιέζω.
   
4. Strong's Number: G5087
   There are 94 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: τίθημι
   Transliteration: títhēmi
   Pronunciation: theh'-o
   Description: a prolonged form of a primary (which is used only as alternate in certain tenses); to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a passive or horizontal posture, and thus different from ἵστημι, which properly denotes an upright and active position, while κεῖμαι is properly reflexive and utterly prostrate):--+ advise, appoint, bow, commit, conceive, give, X kneel down, lay (aside, down, up), make, ordain, purpose, put, set (forth), settle, sink down.
   
5. Strong's Number: G1519
   There are 1513 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: εἰς
   Transliteration: eis
   Pronunciation: ice
   Description: a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).
   
6. Strong's Number: G5438
   There are 45 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: φυλακή
   Transliteration: phylakḗ
   Pronunciation: foo-lak-ay'
   Description: from φυλάσσω; a guarding or (concretely, guard), the act, the person; figuratively, the place, the condition, or (specially), the time (as a division of day or night), literally or figuratively:--cage, hold, (im-)prison(-ment), ward, watch.
   
7. Strong's Number: G3860
   There are 118 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: παραδίδωμι
   Transliteration: paradídōmi
   Pronunciation: par-ad-id'-o-mee
   Description: from παρά and δίδωμι; to surrender, i.e yield up, intrust, transmit:--betray, bring forth, cast, commit, deliver (up), give (over, up), hazard, put in prison, recommend.
   
8. Strong's Number: G5064
   There are 35 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: τέσσαρες
   Transliteration: téssares
   Pronunciation: tes'-sar-ah
   Description: a plural number; four:--four.
   
9. Strong's Number: G5069
   There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: τετράδιον
   Transliteration: tetrádion
   Pronunciation: tet-rad'-ee-on
   Description: neuter of a presumed derivative of (a tetrad; from τέσσαρες); a quaternion or squad (picket) of four Roman soldiers:--quaternion.
   
10. Strong's Number: G4757
    There are 24 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: στρατιώτης
    Transliteration: stratiṓtēs
    Pronunciation: strat-ee-o'-tace
    Description: from a presumed derivative of the same as στρατιά; a camper-out, i.e. a (common) warrior (literally or figuratively):--soldier.
    
11. Strong's Number: G5442
    There are 30 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: φυλάσσω
    Transliteration: phylássō
    Pronunciation: foo-las'-so
    Description: probably from φυλή through the idea of isolation; to watch, i.e. be on guard (literally of figuratively); by implication, to preserve, obey, avoid:--beward, keep (self), observe, save. Compare τηρέω.
    
12. Strong's Number: G846
    There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: αὐτός
    Transliteration: autós
    Pronunciation: ow-tos'
    Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
    
13. Strong's Number: G1014
    There are 34 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: βούλομαι
    Transliteration: boúlomai
    Pronunciation: boo'-lom-ahee
    Description: middle voice of a primary verb; to "will," i.e. (reflexively) be willing:--be disposed, minded, intend, list, (be, of own) will (-ing). Compare θέλω.
    
14. Strong's Number: G3326
    There are 445 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: μετά
    Transliteration: metá
    Pronunciation: met-ah'
    Description: a primary preposition (often used adverbially); properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession) with which it is joined; occupying an intermediate position between ἀπό or ἐκ and εἰς or πρός; less intimate than ἐν and less close than σύν):--after(-ward), X that he again, against, among, X and, + follow, hence, hereafter, in, of, (up-)on, + our, X and setting, since, (un-)to, + together, when, with (+ -out). Often used in composition, in substantially the same relations of participation or proximity, and transfer or sequence.
    
15. Strong's Number: G3957
    There are 27 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: πάσχα
    Transliteration: páscha
    Pronunciation: pas'-khah
    Description: of Chaldee origin (compare פֶּסַח); the Passover (the meal, the day, the festival or the special sacrifices connected with it):--Easter, Passover.
    
16. Strong's Number: G321
    There are 24 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀνάγω
    Transliteration: anágō
    Pronunciation: an-ag'-o
    Description: from ἀνά and ἄγω; to lead up; by extension to bring out; specially, to sail away:--bring (again, forth, up again), depart, launch (forth), lead (up), loose, offer, sail, set forth, take up.
    
17. Strong's Number: G2992
    There are 139 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: λαός
    Transliteration: laós
    Pronunciation: lah-os'
    Description: apparently a primary word; a people (in general; thus differing from δῆμος, which denotes one's own populace):--people.