The Book of the Acts of the
Apostles
Acts Chapter 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 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.
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