1Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to mistreat some who belonged to the church. 2And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. 3And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. (This was during the days of unleavened bread.) 4And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of four soldiers to keep him; intending after passover to bring him forth to the people. 5Therefore Peter was kept in prison: but prayer to God was made for him without ceasing by the church. 6And the night before Herod would have brought him forth, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door were guarding the prison. 7And, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared, and a light shone in the prison: and he struck Peter on the side, and woke him, saying, Arise quickly. And the chains fell off his hands. 8And the angel said to him, Gird yourself, and put on your sandals. And he did so. And he said to him, Wrap your garment about you, and follow me. 9And he went out, and followed him; but he did not know that what was being done by the angel was real; but thought he was seeing a vision. 10When they were past the first and second guards, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city; which opened for them of its own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him. 11And 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 that the Jewish people were expecting. 12When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John, who was also called Mark; where many were gathered together praying. 13And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a maid named Rhoda came to answer. 14And when she recognized Peter's voice, in her joy she did not open the gate, but ran in, and told that Peter stood before the gate. 15And they said to her, You are mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was so. Then they said, It is his angel. 16But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished. 17But he, beckoning to them with his hand to hold their peace, declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Tell these things to James, and to the brethren. Then he departed, and went to another place. 18Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. 19And when Herod sought for him, and did not find him, he examined the guards, and commanded that they should be put to death. Then he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and remained there. 20And Herod was highly displeased with the people of Tyre and Sidon: but 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 by the king's country. 21And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal robes, sat upon his throne, and made an oration to them. 22And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. 23Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give God the glory: and he was eaten by worms, and died. 24But the word of God grew and spread. 25And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their ministry, bringing with them John, who was also called Mark.