1Now about that time Herod the king put forth his hands to afflict certain of the church . 2And he killed James the brother of John with the sword . 3And when he saw that it pleased the Jews , he proceeded to seize Peter also . And those were the days of unleavened bread. 4And when he had taken him , he put him in prison , and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to guard him ; intending after the Passover to bring him forth to the people . 5Peter therefore was kept in the prison : but prayer was made earnestly of the church unto God for him . 6And when Herod was about to bring him forth , the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers , bound with two chains : and guards before the door kept the prison . 7And behold , an angel of the Lord stood by him , and a light shined in the cell : and he smote Peter on the side , and awoke him , saying , Rise up quickly . And his chains fell off from his hands . 8And the angel said unto him , Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals . And he did so . And he saith unto him , Cast thy garment about thee , and follow me . 9And he went out , and followed ; and he knew not that it was true which was done by the angel, but thought he saw a vision . 10And when they were past the first and the second guard , they came unto the iron gate that leadeth into the city ; which opened to them of its own accord: and they went out , and passed on through one street ; and straightway the angel departed from him . 11And when Peter was come to himself , he said , Now I know of a truth, that the Lord hath sent forth his angel and delivered me out of the hand of Herod , and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews .
Herod's Death
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 and were praying . 13And when he knocked at the door of the gate , a maid came to answer , named Rhoda . 14And when she knew Peter ’s voice , she opened not the gate for joy , but ran in , and told that Peter stood before the gate . 15And they said unto her , Thou art mad . But she confidently affirmed that it was even so . And they said , It is his angel. 16But Peter continued knocking : and when they had opened, they saw him , and were amazed . 17But he , beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace , declared unto them how the Lord had brought him forth out of the prison . And he said , Tell these things unto James , and to the brethren . And he departed , and went to 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 guards , and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judæa to Cæsarea , and tarried there . 20Now he was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon : and they came with one accord to him , and , having made Blastus the king ’s chamberlain their friend , they asked for peace , because their country was fed from the king ’s country . 21And upon a set day Herod arrayed himself in royal apparel , and sat on the throne, and made an oration unto them . 22And the people shouted , saying , The voice of a god , and not of a man . 23And immediately an angel of the Lord smote him , because he gave not God the glory : and he was eaten of worms , and gave up the ghost .
The Growth of the Church
24But the word of God grew and multiplied . 25And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem , when they had fulfilled their ministration , taking with them John whose surname was Mark .