NOW at that time Herod the king stretched forth his hand to treat
cruelly certain persons belonging to the church. (2)And he slew James
the brother of John with a sword. (3)And seeing how agreeable this was
to the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. (Then were the days of
unleavened bread.) (4)Whom having apprehended, he put him in prison,
delivering him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep guard over him;
intending after the Passover to bring him forth to the people _for
execution_. (5)So then Peter was kept in prison: but fervent prayer was
offered up by the church to God for him. (6)Now when Herod was going to
bring him forth, the same night was Peter fast asleep between the two
soldiers, fastened to them with two chains: and the guards before the
door kept the prison. (7)And, lo! an angel of the Lord stood there, and
light glared through the apartment: then with a stroke on Peter's side,
he roused him up, and said, Arise quickly. And his chains fell from his
hands. (8)And the angel said to him, Gird thyself up, and bind on thy
sandals. And he did so. And he said unto him, Wrap thyself in thy
mantle, and follow me. (9)And going out, he followed him; and knew not
that it was a reality which was done by the angel; but he supposed he
saw a vision. (10)So passing through the first ward and the second,
they came to the iron door which leads into the city, which opened to
them spontaneously: and being come out, they walked forward through one
street; and immediately the angel departed from him. (11)And Peter
coming to himself, said, Now I know assuredly, that the Lord hath sent
his angel, and hath delivered me from the hand of Herod, and all the
eager expectation of the people of the Jews. (12)And after considering
with himself, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, who is
surnamed Mark; where many were thronged together, and praying.
(13)Peter then knocking at the door of the gateway, there came a
damsel to ask who was there, named Rhoda. (14)And well knowing Peter's
voice, she opened not the door for joy; but running in, told that Peter
was standing before the door. (15)But they said, Thou art raving. But
she confidently persisted that it was so. Then they said, It is his
angel. (16)But Peter continued knocking: and they opened the door and
saw him, and were astonished. (17)Then beckoning with the hand that
they should be silent, he informed them in what manner the Lord had
brought him out of the prison. And he said, Tell James and the brethren
these things. And departing thence he went into another place.
(18)Now when the day broke, there was no small stir among the soldiers,
what could possibly become of Peter. (19)And Herod sought him out
earnestly, but not being able to find him, after having examined the
guards strictly, he commanded them to be executed. And going down from
Jerusalem to Caesarea, took up his abode there.
(20)Now Herod was fiercely bent on war against the Tyrians and
Sidonians: but they presented themselves unanimously before him, and
ingratiating themselves with Blastus who was over the king's
bedchamber, they begged for peace; because their country received all
their supply of provisions from the king's territories. (21)Then on a
day appointed, Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, and seated on his
throne, made an harangue unto them. (22)And the populace shouted, It is
the voice of a god, and not a man. (23)But instantly the angel of the
Lord smote him, because he gave not the glory to God: and being
devoured with worms, he expired.
(24)But the word of the Lord increased, and was widely diffused.
(25)Then Barnabas and Saul departed from Jerusalem, having completed
the distribution _of the sum entrusted with them_; and they took with
them John, whose surname was Mark.