1About this time Herod, the king, began to arrest and persecute members of the church.
2And he had James, the brother of John, killed with the sword.
3And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This occurred during the days of unleavened bread.
4And when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and handed him to four quaternions (four squads of four soldiers) to guard him; intending after the Passover (Easter) to bring him out to the people.
5So Peter, was kept in prison; but prayer was made by the church to God without ceasing for him.
6And the night before Herod would have brought him out, that same night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains; with other guards at the prison door.
7And suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, and a light shone in his cell; and he struck Peter on the side to awaken him up, saying, “Get up quickly”. And his chains fell off of his wrists.
8And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself, and put on your sandals”. And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak about you, and follow me”.
9And Peter followed him; but did not know whether what was done by the angel was really happening; or perhaps he was in a dream or vision.
10When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city; which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out, and passed on through one street; and suddenly the angel departed from him.
11And when Peter had collected his senses, he said, “Now I know of a surety, that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the clutches of Herod, and from all that the Jews were expecting to happen”.
12And after these things dawned upon him, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John, surnamed Mark; where many were gathered together praying.
13And when Peter knocked at the outer door, a servant girl named Rhoda came to the door.
14But when she recognized Peter's voice, out of joy, she neglected to unlock the gate, but ran in, and told them that Peter stood outside the gate.
15And they said to her, “You must be mad”. But she kept insisting that it was so. Then they said, “It must be his angel.”
16But Peter continued knocking; and when they had finally opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.
17But Peter motioned with his hand to be quiet, and told them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. Then he said, “Go, tell these things to James, and to the other brothers and sisters”. And he left for another place.
18When day dawned, there was no small stir among the soldiers, as to what had become of Peter.
19And when Herod had done a thorough search for him, and not found him, he cross-examined the guards, and ordered that they be put to death. And then Herod left Judaea for Caesarea, and stayed there.
20And Herod had been quarreling with the people Tyre and Sidon; but, after gaining the support of Blastus, the king's chamberlain, they sent a delegation to make peace with Herod because their towns were dependent upon the king's country for food supply.
21And on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and delivered a public address to the people.
22And the people shouted, “It is the voice of a god, and not of a man”.
23And, because he failed to give the glory God; an angel of the Lord immediately struck him, so that Herod was eaten by worms, and died.
24Meanwhile, the word of God continued to spread and flourish.
25And when Barnabas and Saul had fulfilled their ministry there, they returned to Antioch from Jerusalem, taking John, surnamed Mark, with them. Easy Reader Bible: Purple Letter Edition © 2023 by Jim Musser. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved. Bible Hub |
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