1 A t that time Herod the king laid his hands on some of those of the assembly to do them hurt,

2 a nd slew James, the brother of John, with the sword.

3 A nd seeing that it was pleasing to the Jews, he went on to take Peter also: (and they were the days of unleavened bread:)

4 w hom having seized he put in prison, having delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep, purposing after the passover to bring him out to the people.

5 P eter therefore was kept in the prison; but unceasing prayer was made by the assembly to God concerning him.

6 A nd when Herod was going to bring him forth, that night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and guards before the door kept the prison.

7 A nd lo, an angel of Lord came there, and a light shone in the prison: and having smitten the side of Peter, he roused him up, saying, Rise up quickly. And his chains fell off his hands.

8 A nd the angel said to him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And he did so. And he says to him, Cast thine upper garment about thee and follow me.

9 A nd going forth he followed and did not know that what was happening by means of the angel was real, but supposed he saw a vision.

10 A nd having passed through a first and second guard, they came to the iron gate which leads into the city, which opened to them of itself; and going forth they went down one street, and immediately the angel left him.

11 A nd Peter, being come to himself, said, Now I know certainly that Lord has sent forth his angel and has taken me out of the hand of Herod and all the expectation of the people of the Jews.

12 A nd having become clearly conscious, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was surnamed Mark, where were many gathered together and praying.

13 A nd when he had knocked at the door of the entry, a maid came to listen, by name Rhoda;

14 a nd having recognised the voice of Peter, through joy did not open the entry, but running in, reported that Peter was standing before the entry.

15 A nd they said to her, Thou art mad. But she maintained that it was so. And they said, It is his angel.

16 B ut Peter continued knocking: and having opened, they saw him and were astonished.

17 A nd having made a sign to them with his hand to be silent, he related how the Lord had brought him out of prison; and he said, Report these things to James and to the brethren. And he went out and went to another place.

18 A nd when it was day there was no small disturbance among the soldiers, what then was become of Peter.

19 A nd Herod having sought him and not found him, having examined the guards, commanded to be executed. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea and stayed.

20 A nd he was in bitter hostility with Tyrians and Sidonians; but they came to him with one accord, and, having gained Blastus the king's chamberlain, sought peace, because their country was nourished by the king's.

21 A nd on a set day, clothed in royal apparel and sitting on the elevated seat, Herod made a public oration to them.

22 A nd the people cried out, A god's voice and not a man's.

23 A nd immediately an angel of Lord smote him, because he did not give the glory to God, and he expired, eaten of worms.

24 B ut the word of God grew and spread itself.

25 A nd Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, having fulfilled the service, taking also with them John, surnamed Mark.