Acts 12:9 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Peter follows the angel out of the prison, not believing it is real; he supposes he is seeing a vision.
What Does Acts 12:9 Mean?
'Wist not' is old English for 'knew not.' Peter had received heavenly visions before — the rooftop at Joppa was recent memory (Acts 10) — so as doors open and guards sleep on, he assumes this is another one. He walks through his own rescue in a daze, obeying anyway.
Luke lets us smile at the apostle padding through the dark, sure he is dreaming. Sometimes God's answers outrun our capacity to take them in, and we move through them before we can believe them. Peter's confusion did not disqualify him; he kept following. Obedience can run ahead of understanding — and often it must, with comprehension catching up in the morning air (verse 11).
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 12:9
What does Acts 12:9 mean?
Peter follows the angel out of the prison, not believing it is real; he supposes he is seeing a vision.