1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to
vex certain of the church. 2And he killed James the brother of John
with the sword. 3And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded
further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)
4And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered
him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter
to bring him forth to the people. 5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without
ceasing of the church unto God for him.
6And 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.
7And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a
light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised
him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his
hands. 8And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy
sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about
thee, and follow me.
9And 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.
10When they were past the first and the second ward, they came
unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of
his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and
forthwith the angel departed from him.
11And when Peter was come to
himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his
angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the
expectation of the people of the Jews.
12And 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. 13And as Peter knocked at the door of the
gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. 14And when she knew
Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and
told how Peter stood before the gate. 15And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.
16But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door,
and saw him, they were astonished. 17But he, beckoning unto them with
the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had
brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto
James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another
place.
18Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the
soldiers, what was become of Peter. 19And 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.
20And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but
they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king’s
chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was
nourished by the king’s country.
21And upon a set day Herod, arrayed
in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.
22And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not
of a man. 23And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he
gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the
ghost.
24But the word of God grew and multiplied. 25And Barnabas and Saul
returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and
took with them John, whose surname was Mark.