And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there abode.

ACTS 12:19KJV
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Acts 12:19 (KJV)

What does Acts 12:19 mean?

Acts 12:19 describes how, after King Herod could not find Peter (who had escaped from prison), he questioned the prison guards and ordered them to be executed. Then Herod left Judea and stayed in Caesarea for a time.

In this verse, the focus is on Herod’s reaction after Peter’s miraculous escape from prison. Herod, frustrated and wanting to assert control, holds the guards responsible for Peter’s disappearance and punishes them severely. The verse also notes Herod’s movement from Judea to Caesarea, which sets the stage for the next events in the story.

The Greek behind Acts 12:19

  • ἐξέτασας (exetásas, "examined"): This word means to question or interrogate closely. Herod did not just ask the guards casually; he conducted a thorough investigation, showing how seriously he took Peter’s escape.
  • θανατωθῆναι (thanatōthēnai, "be put to death"): This word is a strong legal term for execution. The punishment was not just dismissal or imprisonment, but death, highlighting the harshness of Herod’s rule and the gravity of the situation for the guards.
  • κατέμεινεν (katemeinen, "abode"): This word carries the sense of staying or remaining for a period, not just passing through. Herod’s move to Caesarea was a deliberate change of location, possibly to distance himself from the failed imprisonment of Peter.

Why Acts 12:19 matters

  • Acts 12:19 shows the severe consequences faced by Roman guards when prisoners escaped, helping readers understand the seriousness of Peter’s escape and the risks involved for those guarding him.
  • The verse highlights Herod’s character as a ruler who responds to failure with harsh punishment, adding to the tension and drama of the surrounding narrative.
  • By mentioning Herod’s move to Caesarea, the verse connects this story to the broader flow of Acts, preparing the reader for what happens next in Herod’s life and reign.

Where else these words appear

“keepers” Greek G5441 · used in 3 verses

  • Acts 5:23 Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.
  • Acts 12:6 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.

“abode” Greek G1304 · used in 10 verses

  • John 3:22 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.
  • Acts 14:28 And there they abode long time with the disciples.
  • Acts 20:6 And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.

“when” Greek G1934 · used in 13 verses

  • Matthew 6:32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
  • Luke 11:29 And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet.
  • Romans 11:7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded

“down” Greek G2718 · used in 13 verses

  • Luke 4:31 And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days.
  • Acts 11:27 And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.
  • Acts 18:22 And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch.