1Now about that time Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church, to do them harm.[#12:1 I.e., Herod Agrippa I]
2And he had James the brother of John executed with a sword.
3When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter as well. (Now these were the days of Unleavened Bread.)[#12:3 I.e., Passover week]
4When he had arrested him, he put him in prison, turning him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending only after the Passover to bring him before the people.[#12:4 Lit quaternions; a quaternion was composed of four soldiers]
5So Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer for him was being made to God intensely by the church.[#12:5 Or constantly]
6On the very night when Herod was about to bring him forward, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and guards in front of the door were watching over the prison.[#12:6 Lit that night]
7And behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly stood near Peter, and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter’s side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And his chains fell off his hands.
8And the angel said to him, “Put on your belt and strap on your sandals.” And he did so. And he *said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.”[#12:8 Lit bind]
9And he went out and continued to follow, and yet he did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.
10Now when they had passed the first and second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened for them by itself; and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.
11When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I know for sure that the Lord has sent forth His angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”[#12:11 Lit in himself; #12:11 Lit the expectation of the people of the Jews]
12And when he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John, who was also called Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.
13When he knocked at the door of the gate, a slave woman named Rhoda came to answer.
14When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her joy she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter was standing in front of the gate.
15They said to her, “You are out of your mind!” But she kept insisting that it was so. They said, “It is his angel.”
16But Peter continued knocking; and when they had opened the door, they saw him and were amazed.
17But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had led him out of the prison. And he said, “Report these things to James and the brothers.” Then he left and went to another place.[#12:17 Or Jacob]
18Now when day came, there was no small disturbance among the soldiers as to what could have become of Peter.[#12:18 Lit what therefore had become]
19When Herod had searched for him and had not found him, he examined the guards and ordered that they be led away to execution. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and was spending time there.
20Now he was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon; and with one mind they came to him, and having won over Blastus the king’s chamberlain, they were asking for peace, because their country was supported with grain from the king’s country.
21On an appointed day, after putting on his royal apparel, Herod took his seat on the rostrum and began delivering an address to them.[#12:21 Or judgment seat]
22The people repeatedly cried out, “The voice of a god and not of a man!”
23And immediately an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and died.[#12:23 Lit expired]
24But the word of the Lord continued to grow and to be multiplied.
25And Barnabas and Saul returned when they had fulfilled their mission to Jerusalem, taking along with them John, who was also called Mark.[#12:25 Lit ministry]