Acts 12

1. Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.

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

3. And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (This was during the Days of Unleavened Bread.)

4. And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to guard him, intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.

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

6. And when Herod would have brought him forth, that same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains; and the keepers were guarding the door of the prison.

7. And 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.

8. And the angel said unto him, “Gird thyself and bind on thy sandals.” And so he did. And the angel said unto him, “Cast thy garment about thee and follow me.”

9. And he went out and followed him, and knew not whether what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he saw a vision.

10. When they had passed the first and the second guard, 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.

11. And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know in truth that the Lord hath sent His angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod and from all the expectations of the people of the Jews.”

12. And when he had considered this thing, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying.

13. And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel named Rhoda came to ask who was there.

14. And when she recognized Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in and told how Peter stood before the gate.

15. And they said unto her, “Thou art mad.” But she continued to affirm that it was even so. Then they said, “It is his angel.”

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

17. But he, beckoning unto them with his hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Go and tell these things unto James and to the brethren.” And he departed and went into another place.

18. Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers over what had become of Peter.

19. And when Herod had sought him and found him not, he examined the guards and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judea to Caesarea and there stayed.

20. And Herod was highly displeased with those from Tyre and Sidon. But they came with one accord to him and, having made Blastus the king’s chamberlain their friend, they asked for peace, because their country was nourished by the king’s country.

21. And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne and delivered an oration unto them.

22. And the people gave a shout, saying, “It is the voice of a god, and not of a man!”

23. And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory; and he was eaten by 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.