Acts 12:6

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} when {G3753} Herod {G2264} would {G3195} have brought {G4254} him {G846} forth {G4254}, the same {G1565} night {G3571} Peter {G4074} was {G2258} sleeping {G2837} between {G3342} two {G1417} soldiers {G4757}, bound {G1210} with two {G1417} chains {G254}: and {G5037} the keepers {G5441} before {G4253} the door {G2374} kept {G5083} the prison {G5438}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The night before Herod was going to bring him to trial, Kefa was sleeping between two soldiers. He was bound with two chains; and guards were at the door, keeping watch over the prison.

Berean Standard Bible

On the night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, with sentries standing guard at the entrance to the prison.

American Standard Version

And 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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 12:6 vividly portrays the extreme security measures taken by King Herod Agrippa I to ensure the execution of the Apostle Peter, setting the stage for a dramatic confrontation between human power and divine sovereignty. On the very eve of his scheduled public trial, Peter is found peacefully sleeping, bound by two chains between two soldiers, while additional guards secure the prison door, highlighting the seemingly insurmountable odds Peter faced and underscoring the profound peace available to those who trust in God amidst dire circumstances.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a critical narrative segment (Acts 12:1-19) detailing Herod Agrippa I's persecution of the early church. The preceding verses establish Herod's malevolent intent, beginning with his execution of James, the brother of John ([Acts 12:2](/acts/12-2 "Acts 12:2 - Execution of James")), and his subsequent arrest of Peter, intending to present him to the people after the Passover festival ([Acts 12:3-4](/acts/12-3-4 "Acts 12:3-4 - Peter's Arrest and Imprisonment")). Verse 5 then highlights the fervent prayer of the church for Peter, creating a stark contrast between human despair and divine intervention. Acts 12:6 thus builds the tension, detailing the seemingly impenetrable security around Peter, making the subsequent miraculous escape (Acts 12:7-11) all the more astounding and clearly attributable to God's direct action.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Herod Agrippa I, a grandson of Herod the Great, ruled Judea from AD 41-44. Unlike his predecessors, he was popular among the Jewish populace due to his adherence to Jewish customs and his efforts to appease the religious authorities. His persecution of Christians, including the execution of James and the arrest of Peter, was a calculated political move to gain further favor with the Jewish leadership, who largely viewed the burgeoning Christian movement as a heretical sect. Roman prison practices for high-value prisoners like Peter were indeed rigorous. It was common for a prisoner to be chained to two guards, one on each side, even while sleeping, to prevent any possibility of escape. Additionally, multiple layers of security, including guards at the cell door and outer gates, were standard procedure, emphasizing the gravity of Peter's situation and the thoroughness of Herod's precautions.
* **Key Themes:** Acts 12:6 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Acts. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Sovereignty and Providence** over human plans, no matter how meticulously executed. Herod's intent to kill Peter is thwarted by God's intervention, demonstrating that God's purposes for His church and His apostles cannot be ultimately frustrated by human opposition. Secondly, Peter's peaceful slumber in such dire circumstances underscores the theme of **Faith and Inner Peace Amidst Persecution**. His tranquility is a testament to profound trust in God, mirroring the confidence often displayed by early believers facing adversity. Thirdly, the verse implicitly highlights the **Power of Corporate Prayer**, as it immediately follows the mention of the church's earnest prayers for Peter ([Acts 12:5](/acts/12-5 "Acts 12:5 - The Church Prays for Peter")). The detailed description of Peter's imprisonment serves to magnify the miraculous nature of his deliverance, reinforcing the theme of **God's Deliverance and Miraculous Intervention** as a hallmark of the early church's experience.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sleeping (Greek, _koimáō'_):** This word, often used in the Septuagint and New Testament, literally means "to put to sleep" or "to slumber." Figuratively, it can also mean "to decease" or "to be dead," especially in the context of believers "falling asleep" in Christ. In this verse, it denotes a deep, peaceful slumber, emphasizing Peter's profound tranquility despite the imminent threat of execution. It suggests a complete absence of anxiety or fear, a state of rest that defies his perilous circumstances.
* **bound (Greek, _déō'_):** This primary verb signifies "to bind" in various applications, whether literally or figuratively. Here, it describes Peter's physical restraint by chains. The passive voice indicates that he was subjected to this binding. The use of "bound with two chains" highlights the severity of his imprisonment, as he was not merely confined but physically shackled, likely to the two soldiers guarding him. This detail underscores the human effort to secure him beyond any possibility of escape.
* **keepers (Greek, _phýlax'_):** Derived from a word meaning "to watch" or "to guard," a _phýlax_ is a watcher or sentry. These were the guards specifically tasked with keeping watch over Peter and the prison. Their presence "before the door" indicates an additional layer of security beyond the immediate soldiers guarding Peter, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the precautions taken to prevent any escape or outside interference. Their role was to "keep" (Greek, _tēréō'_) the prison, meaning to guard it from loss or injury, ensuring no one could enter or exit without authorization.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when Herod would have brought him forth":** This clause sets the immediate temporal context, indicating that Peter's public trial and probable execution were scheduled for the very next day. Herod's intention ("would have brought him forth") signifies his firm resolve to present Peter to the people, likely for condemnation and execution, as he had done with James.
* **"the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains":** This is the central image of the verse, portraying Peter's remarkable composure. "The same night" emphasizes the immediacy of the threat. Peter's "sleeping" highlights his profound peace, a stark contrast to what one might expect from someone facing imminent death. The detail of being "between two soldiers, bound with two chains" describes the rigorous Roman security measure, where a prisoner was shackled to a guard on each side, making escape virtually impossible without waking them or breaking the chains.
* **"and the keepers before the door kept the prison":** This final clause adds another layer of security, emphasizing the thoroughness of Peter's imprisonment. "The keepers" (sentries or guards) were positioned "before the door," indicating that the cell itself was secured. Their duty was to "keep the prison," meaning to maintain its security and prevent any unauthorized entry or exit, ensuring Peter's confinement was absolute.

#### Literary Devices
Acts 12:6 employs several powerful literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as Peter, facing certain death, is found "sleeping" peacefully, while his captors, ostensibly in control, are wide awake and vigilant. This contrasts human anxiety and divine peace. The detailed description of the security measures—"between two soldiers, bound with two chains," and "keepers before the door kept the prison"—serves as **Hyperbole** or **Exaggeration** to emphasize the human impossibility of escape, thereby magnifying the miraculous nature of God's subsequent intervention. This also creates a strong **Contrast** between the overwhelming human power and the seemingly helpless state of Peter, setting the stage for God's omnipotence to be revealed. Furthermore, the "chains" and "prison" serve as **Symbolism** for the forces of darkness and human opposition attempting to suppress the spread of the Gospel, which ultimately prove futile against divine will.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 12:6 stands as a powerful testament to God's sovereign control over human affairs and His unwavering faithfulness to His people, even in the face of overwhelming opposition. Peter's peaceful slumber, surrounded by the instruments of his impending death, profoundly illustrates the peace that surpasses understanding, a peace rooted in complete trust in God's ultimate plan. This scene underscores the theological truth that God's purposes for His church cannot be thwarted by human malice or power. The detailed description of the prison's security serves not to highlight Herod's strength, but to magnify the divine power that would soon shatter those human barriers, demonstrating that God's deliverance is not limited by any earthly constraint. This narrative encourages believers to cultivate a similar trust and peace, knowing that their lives are ultimately in God's hands.

* [Psalm 4:8](/psalms/4-8 "Psalm 4:8 - Sleep in Peace")
* [Philippians 4:6-7](/philippians/4-6-7 "Philippians 4:6-7 - The Peace of God")
* [2 Timothy 4:18](/2_timothy/4-18 "2 Timothy 4:18 - The Lord's Deliverance")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The scene of Peter sleeping soundly on the eve of his execution offers a profound challenge and comfort to believers today. In a world often filled with anxiety, fear, and uncertainty, Peter's example calls us to a deeper level of trust in God's sovereign care. His peace was not born of ignorance of his circumstances, but of a settled conviction in God's faithfulness, regardless of the outcome. This invites us to examine our own responses to trials: do we succumb to worry, or do we find rest in the assurance that God is actively working, even when His hand is not immediately visible? The meticulous details of Peter's imprisonment also remind us that no human barrier, no matter how formidable, can ultimately obstruct God's divine will or His purposes for His people. This should inspire us to pray with greater faith, knowing that the God who freed Peter from chains can also break the chains of fear, doubt, or circumstance in our own lives, and in the lives of those for whom we intercede.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does Peter's ability to sleep peacefully in such dire circumstances reveal about his faith and trust in God?**
* **How does the detailed description of Peter's imprisonment magnify the subsequent miracle, and what does this teach us about God's power?**
* **In what areas of your life are you currently experiencing "chains" or "prisons" of anxiety, fear, or seemingly insurmountable obstacles? How can Peter's example encourage you to find peace in God?**
* **Considering the church's fervent prayer mentioned in Acts 12:5, how does this narrative underscore the importance and power of collective intercession in the face of adversity?**

### FAQ
**Why was Peter sleeping so soundly despite facing execution the next day?**

Answer: Peter's profound peace, even on the eve of his scheduled execution, is often interpreted as a testament to his deep faith and trust in God's sovereign control. Having previously experienced miraculous deliverance from prison ([Acts 5:17-20](/acts/5-17-20 "Acts 5:17-20 - Apostolic Deliverance")), Peter likely had an unwavering confidence that God was ultimately in charge of his life, whether for deliverance or martyrdom. His ability to sleep peacefully suggests a spiritual tranquility that transcended his dire physical circumstances, a peace that comes from surrendering fully to God's will and resting in His faithfulness.

**What was the significance of Peter being "bound with two chains" and guarded by "two soldiers"?**

Answer: This detailed description highlights the extreme security measures taken by Herod Agrippa I to prevent Peter's escape. Roman prison practice for high-value or dangerous prisoners often involved chaining them to guards, one on each side, even during sleep, to ensure constant vigilance and make escape virtually impossible. The "two chains" and "two soldiers," along with "keepers before the door," emphasize the formidable human efforts to secure Peter. This meticulous detail serves a crucial literary and theological purpose: it magnifies the subsequent miracle of Peter's escape ([Acts 12:7-11](/acts/12-7-11 "Acts 12:7-11 - Peter's Miraculous Escape")), demonstrating that no human barrier, however strong, can thwart God's divine plan or His power to deliver His servants.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 12:6, while focusing on Peter's miraculous deliverance, ultimately points to the greater deliverance accomplished by Jesus Christ. Peter's peaceful slumber in the face of death foreshadows the ultimate peace found in Christ, who conquered death itself. Just as Peter was bound by chains, humanity was bound by the chains of sin and death, a captivity from which no human power could free us. Christ, however, entered the ultimate "prison" of death on our behalf, not to be held, but to shatter its bonds. His resurrection ([Matthew 28:1-10](/matthew/28-1-10 "Matthew 28:1-10 - The Resurrection of Jesus")) demonstrates His triumph over the grave, echoing Peter's liberation as a testament to God's power over all earthly and spiritual forces. Peter's freedom from Herod's prison is a tangible, earthly illustration of the spiritual freedom Christ offers to all who believe, liberating us from the power of sin ([Romans 6:6-7](/romans/6-6-7 "Romans 6:6-7 - Freedom from Sin")) and the fear of death ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ's Victory Over Death")). Thus, Peter's experience of divine intervention serves as a powerful type and shadow of the ultimate, saving intervention of God in Christ, who delivers us from a far greater captivity.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 21:33

Then 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 13:6

So that we may boldly say, The Lord [is] my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Philippians 4:6

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Philippians 4:7

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 1:16

The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:

1 Samuel 23:26

And Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain: and David made haste to get away for fear of Saul; for Saul and his men compassed David and his men round about to take them.

1 Samuel 23:27

But there came a messenger unto Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land.