Acts 12

1 Now about that time, Herod the king put forth his hands to oppress certain in the church.

2 And he killed James, the brother of John, with the sword.

3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. {This was during the days of the Feast of the Unleavened Bread.}

4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to watch him; intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people.

5 Peter, therefore, was kept in prison, but prayer was made without ceasing by the church to God for him.

6 And when Herod was about to bring him out, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and two guards before the door who kept the prison.

7 And, behold, an angel of the Lord came on him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and woke him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.

8 And the angel said to him, tighten your belt and put on your sandals. And so, he did. And he said to him, wrap your garment around you, and follow me.

9 And he went to come out and followed him; and did not know if it was true, which was done by the angel; but thought it was a (dream or) vision.

 

10 When they were past the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them by itself: and they went out, and (when they) passed by one street; immediately the angel departed from him.

 

11 And when Peter had come to himself, he said, Now I know for certain it's true that the LORD has sent his angel and has delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews (to do me harm).

 

12 And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John, whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying (for him).

13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a young girl came to listen, named Rhoda.

14 And when she knew Peter's voice, she did not open the gate for gladness, but (instead) ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.

15 And they said to her, You are out of your mind. But she kept insisting that it was true. And they said, It is his angel.

16 But Peter continued knocking: and when they opened the door, and saw that it was him, they were astonished.

17 But he motioned to them with the hand to stay silent and told them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go report these things to James, and to the brethren. And he departed and went into another place.

18 Now, as soon as it was daytime, there was no small stir among the soldiers, (wondering) what had become of Peter.

19 And when Herod had looked for him, and did not find him, he questioned the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there stayed.

20 And Herod was furiously angry with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's (who was) chief over his bedchamber, their friend, desired peace; because their country was fed by the king's country.

 

21 And on a set day, Herod, arrayed (himself) in royal apparel, sat on his throne, and made a speech to them.

22 And the people shouted, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.

23 And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him (and fear came upon and overtook him), because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms and gave up the ghost.

24 But the word of God grew and multiplied.

25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.