Acts 12:5

5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.

Acts 12:5 in Other Translations

KJV
5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
ESV
5 So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.
NLT
5 But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him.
MSG
5 All the time that Peter was under heavy guard in the jailhouse, the church prayed for him most strenuously.
CSB
5 So Peter was kept in prison, but prayer was being made earnestly to God for him by the church.

Acts 12:5 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 12:5

Peter therefore was kept in prison
Till the feast of the passover was at an end:

but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him;
this was not done by them as a body together, but either by them in several bands at different places, or by some of the principal of the church at some one certain place, and where they might frequently change companies, and keep on a continual incessant prayer for days together; and whereas it is very likely it might be at the beginning of the passover, when Peter was taken up, and it was now at the close of it, when he was delivered, the church might be engaged by companies alternately, a whole week together, in prayer, on this occasion.

Acts 12:5 In-Context

3 When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread.
4 After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.
5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.
6 The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance.
7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.

Cross References 1

  • 1. S Acts 1:14; Romans 15:30,31; Ephesians 6:18
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