“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 it pleased the Jews, he proceeded
further to take Peter also. (Then were 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 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. 6 And 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. 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 he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about
thee, and follow me. 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. 10 When 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. 11 And 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. 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. 13 And as
Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named
Rhoda. 14 And when she knew 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 constantly affirmed that it
was even so. Then said they, It is his angel. 16 But Peter continued
knocking: and when they had opened [the door], and saw him, they were
astonished. 17 But 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. 18 Now as soon
as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was
become of Peter. 19 And 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.”
“20 And 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]. 21 And upon a set day Herod, arrayed
in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made 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 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.” (Acts 12:1-25 AV)
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