KJV: 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.
YLT: and having gone forth, he was following him, and he knew not that it is true that which is done through the messenger, and was thinking he saw a vision,
Darby: And going forth he followed him and did not know that what was happening by means of the angel was real, but supposed he saw a vision.
ASV: And he went out, and followed; and he knew not that it was true which was done by the angel, but thought he saw a vision.
| ἐξελθὼν | having gone forth |
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Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Singular Root: ἐξέρχομαι Sense: to go or come forth of. |
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| ἠκολούθει | he was following |
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Parse: Verb, Imperfect Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular Root: ἀκολουθέω Sense: to follow one who precedes, join him as his attendant, accompany him. |
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| ᾔδει | did know |
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Parse: Verb, Pluperfect Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular Root: οἶδα Sense: to see. |
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| ὅτι | that |
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Parse: Conjunction Root: ὅτι Sense: that, because, since. |
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| ἀληθές | real |
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Parse: Adjective, Nominative Neuter Singular Root: ἀληθής Sense: true. |
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| γινόμενον | is happening |
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Parse: Verb, Present Participle Middle or Passive, Nominative Neuter Singular Root: γίνομαι Sense: to become, i. |
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| διὰ | by means of |
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Parse: Preposition Root: διά Sense: through. |
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| ἀγγέλου | angel |
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Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular Root: ἄγγελος Sense: a messenger, envoy, one who is sent, an angel, a messenger from God. |
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| ἐδόκει | he was thinking |
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Parse: Verb, Imperfect Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular Root: δοκέω Sense: to be of opinion, think, suppose. |
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| δὲ | however |
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Parse: Conjunction Root: δέ Sense: but, moreover, and, etc. |
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| ὅραμα | a vision |
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Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Singular Root: ὅραμα Sense: that which is seen, spectacle. |
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| βλέπειν | he saw |
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Parse: Verb, Present Infinitive Active Root: βλέπω Sense: to see, discern, of the bodily eye. |
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Greek Commentary for Acts 12:9
Past perfect of οιδα oida used as imperfect, did not know. [source]
Imperfect active, kept on following as the angel had directed (Acts 12:8). That it was true Indirect assertion and so present tense retained. Note “true” Present middle participle, that which was happening. Thought he saw a vision Imperfect active, kept on thinking, puzzled as he was. λεπειν Blepein is the infinitive in indirect assertion without the pronoun (he) expressed which could be either nominative in apposition with the subject as in Romans 1:22 or accusative of general reference as in Acts 5:36; Acts 8:9 (Robertson, Grammar, pp. 1036-40). Peter had had a vision in Joppa (Acts 10:10) which Luke describes as an “ecstasy,” but here is objective fact, at least Luke thought so and makes that distinction. Peter will soon know whether he is still in the cell or not as we find out that a dream is only a dream when we wake up. [source]
Present middle participle, that which was happening. [source]
Imperfect active, kept on thinking, puzzled as he was. λεπειν Blepein is the infinitive in indirect assertion without the pronoun (he) expressed which could be either nominative in apposition with the subject as in Romans 1:22 or accusative of general reference as in Acts 5:36; Acts 8:9 (Robertson, Grammar, pp. 1036-40). Peter had had a vision in Joppa (Acts 10:10) which Luke describes as an “ecstasy,” but here is objective fact, at least Luke thought so and makes that distinction. Peter will soon know whether he is still in the cell or not as we find out that a dream is only a dream when we wake up. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 12:9
The verb strictly means to see together, or at the same time. Hence, to see in one view, to take in at a glance. Peter's mental condition is described by two expressions: First, he came to himself (Acts 12:12), or, lit., when he had become present in himself; denoting his awaking from the dazed condition produced by his being suddenly roused from sleep and confronted with a supernatural appearance (see Acts 12:9). Secondly, when he had become aware ( συνιδών ); denoting his taking in the situation, according to the popular phrase. I do not think that any of the commentators have sufficiently emphasized the force of σύν , together, as indicating his comprehensive perception of all the elements of the case. They all refer the word to his recognition of his deliverance from prison, which, however, has already been noted in Acts 12:11. While it may include this, it refers also to all the circumstances of the case present at that moment. He had been freed; he was there in the street alone; he must go somewhere; there was the house of Mary, where he was sure to find friends. Having taken in all this, perceived it all, he went to the house of Mary. [source]