Herod Persecutes the Congregation
NOW about that time, Herod the king stretched forth his hands to harm certain of the congregation.
2 And he executed James the brother of John with the sword.
3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews: he proceeded further to arrest Peter also (these were the days of unleavened bread).
4 And when he had apprehended him: he put him into prison, and handed him over to four squads of four soldiers to guard him; intending after Passover to bring him forth to the people.
5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made constantly by the congregation to God for him.
An Angel Frees Peter
6 ¶ Now when Herod would have brought him forth; that same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains; and the guards before the door kept the prison.
7 And behold: an angel of the Lord stood near him, and a light shined in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying: “Rise up quickly.” And his chains fell off from his hands.
8 And the Angel said to him: “Gird yourself, and bind on your sandals.” And so he did. And he said to him: “Cast your garment about you, and follow me.”
9 And he went out, and followed him; and knew not that it was real which was done by the Angel: but thought he saw a vision.
10 When they were past the first and the second guard post: they came to the iron gate that leads to the city; which opened to them of its own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the Angel departed from him.
11 ¶ And when Peter had come to himself, he said: “Now I know for sure, that the Lord has sent his angel, and has delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.
12 And when he realised this, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose is called Mark; where many were gathered together praying.
13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a servant girl came to answer, named Rhoda.
14 And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for joy, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.
15 And they said to her: “You are mad!” But she insisted that it was so. Then they said: “It is his angel.”
16 But Peter continued knocking; and when they had opened the door, and saw him: they were astonished.
17 But he, motioning to them with his hand to be silent: declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said: “Go report these things to James, and to the brothers.” And he departed, and went into another place.
18 ¶ Now as soon as it was day, there was no small commotion among the soldiers: as to what had become of Peter.
19 And when Herod had sought him, and found him not: he questioned the guards, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judea to Caesarea, and there remained.
Herod’s Death
20 ¶ Now Herod was very angry with those of Tyre and Sidon; but they came with one accord to him; and, having made Blastus, the king’s chamberlain, their friend: desired peace, because their country was nourished by the king’s country.
21 And upon a set day, Herod arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made a public speech to them.
22 And the assembled people shouted out, saying: “It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.”
23 And immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he gave not the glory to God: and he was eaten of worms, and breathed his last.
24 ¶ And the word of God grew and multiplied.
25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry; and took with them John, who was called Mark.