Acts 12:9

9 Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision.

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Acts 12:9 in Other Translations

KJV

9 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.

ESV

9 And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.

NLT

9 So Peter left the cell, following the angel. But all the time he thought it was a vision. He didn’t realize it was actually happening.

MSG

9 Peter followed him, but didn't believe it was really an angel - he thought he was dreaming.

CSB

9 So he went out and followed, and he did not know that what took place through the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.

Acts 12:9 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 12:9

And he went out and followed him
He came out from between the two soldiers, and out of that apartment in the prison, in which he was, and followed the angel where he led him:

and wist not that it was true that was done by the angel;
not that he thought the angel was a mere apparition, and all this that was done was a delusion; but he did not know whether this was matter of fact, or whether it was, not represented to him in a visionary way, as what could be, or would be done:

but thought he saw a vision;
imagined he was in a dream or a trance, and only saw these things in a vision, and that they were not really done, the whole was so amazing and astonishing.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Acts 12:9 In-Context

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.

8 Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him.

9 Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision.

10 They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.

11 Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen.”