Acts 12:4 (KJV)

What does Acts 12:4 mean?

Acts 12:4 describes how, after arresting Peter, Herod put him in prison and assigned four squads of soldiers to guard him, planning to bring Peter out to the public after "Easter" (more accurately, Passover). The verse highlights the seriousness with which Herod wanted to prevent Peter’s escape and his intention to make a public display of him after the Jewish festival.

In the story, King Herod is persecuting members of the early church, and Peter is a key leader among the believers. Herod’s use of four squads (a total of sixteen soldiers) shows the high level of security, likely because Peter had previously escaped prison. The mention of "Easter" in the King James Version is based on the Greek word for Passover, so the timing is during the Jewish festival, not the Christian holiday.

The Greek behind Acts 12:4

• Πάσχα (Pascha): This word, transliterated as "Pascha," means "Passover." The King James Version translates it as "Easter" here, but the Greek refers to the Jewish Passover festival, not the later Christian celebration.
• τετράδιων (tetradion): Translating as "quaternion," this word means a group of four soldiers. Herod assigned four such groups, totaling sixteen soldiers, to guard Peter, showing the extraordinary precautions taken.
• παραδοὺς (paradous): This word means "delivered" or "handed over." It emphasizes that Peter was formally placed under the soldiers’ authority, not just casually guarded.

Why Acts 12:4 matters

• Acts 12:4 clears up a common misunderstanding about the word "Easter" in the King James Version; the original Greek refers to Passover, which is important for understanding the timing and context.
• The verse shows how seriously Herod took the threat posed by Peter and the early church, highlighting the tension between the authorities and the followers of Jesus.
• This verse sets up the dramatic rescue of Peter that follows, emphasizing both the danger he faced and the miraculous nature of his eventual escape.