1 About that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to afflict a certain of the church.
2 And he slew James, the brother of John, with the sword.
3 And perceiving it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to take Peter also.
4 (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) Whom having apprehended, he put in prison, delivering him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him forth to the people after the passover.
5 So Peter was kept in the prison; but continual prayer was made to God by the church for him.
6 And when Herod was about to bring him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and the guards before the door were keeping the prison.
7 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood over him, and light shined in the house: and smiting Peter on the side he waked him, saying, Rise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.
8 And the angel said to him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals; and he did so. And he saith to him, Throw thy garment about thee, and follow me.
9 And going out, he followed him. And he knew not, that it was real which was done by the angel, but thought he saw a vision.
10 When they had passed the first and the second ward, they came to the iron gate that leadeth to the city, which opened to them of its own accord: and going out, they went on through one street; and immediately the angel departed from him.
11 And Peter coming to himself, said, Now I know of a truth, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.
12 And having considered, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John surnamed Mark, where many were gathered together praying.
13 And as he knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.
14 And knowing Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for joy, but running in, told them, that Peter stood before the gate.
15 And they said to her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed, it was so. Then they said, It is his angel.
16 But Peter continued knocking. And opening the door, they saw him and were astonished.
17 But he beckoning to them with his hand, to be silent, declared to them, How the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Shew these things to James and to the brethren.
18 And going out, he went to another place. Now when it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, What was become of Peter?
19 And Herod having sought for him, and not found him, examined the guard, and commanded them to be put to death. And going down from Judea to Cesarea, he abode there.
20 And he was highly incensed against them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and having gained Blastus, the king's chamberlain, sued for peace; because their country was nourished by the king's country.
21 And on a set day, Herod arrayed in royal apparel, and sitting on his throne, made an oration to them.
22 And the people shouted, It is the voice of God, and not of a man.
23 And immediately an angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory; and being eaten by worms, he expired.
24 But the word of God grew and multiplied.
25 And Barnabas and Saul, having fulfilled their service, returned from Jerusalem, taking with them John, surnamed Mark.