When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.

ACTS 12:10KJV
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Acts 12:10 (KJV)

What does Acts 12:10 mean?

Acts 12:10 describes how Peter and the angel passed two guard posts and came to an iron gate leading into the city, which miraculously opened by itself. After they walked through one street, the angel immediately left Peter alone.

In this scene, Peter has just been freed from prison by an angel, and they are making their way out without being stopped. The verse highlights the supernatural nature of Peter’s escape, especially with the iron gate opening “of his own accord,” showing that no human effort was involved. The story is told from the perspective of the narrator, describing what happened to Peter as he was rescued.

The Greek behind Acts 12:10

  • ἰδίᾳ αὐτομάτη (idia automatē, “of his own accord”): The Greek word αὐτομάτη (automatē) means “by itself” or “automatically.” This emphasizes that the gate opened without anyone touching it, underlining the miraculous aspect of Peter’s escape.
  • φρουρά (phroura, “ward”): This word refers to a guard post or station. The mention of both the “first” and “second” guard posts shows that Peter’s escape involved passing multiple layers of security, making the event even more remarkable.

Why Acts 12:10 matters

  • Acts 12:10 clarifies that Peter’s escape was not due to clever planning or human help, but was entirely the result of divine intervention.
  • The verse sets up the surprise and confusion that follows, both for Peter and for those who later discover he is missing from prison.
  • This moment connects to the larger theme in Acts of God’s power overcoming human obstacles, especially when the early church faces persecution.