1Now 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.
5Peter 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.