James Killed, Peter Imprisoned

1At that time Herod the king undertook to afflict some of the church. 2And he slew with the sword James the brother of John. 3And when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he apprehended Peter also. Those were the days of unleavened bread. 4And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four tetrads of soldiers to guard him, intending to bring him out to the people after the passover.

The Rescue of Peter

5Therefore, Peter was kept in prison; but fervent prayer to God was made for him by the church.

6When Herod was about to bring him out, on that night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains; and the keepers before the doors were guarding the prison. 7And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison. And he gently struck Peter on the side, and awoke him, saying: Arise quickly; and his chains fell from his hands. 8And the angel said to him: Gird your self, and bind on your sandals; and he did so. And he said to him: Throw your mantle around you, and follow me. 9And he went out, and followed him; and he knew not that what was done by the angel was real, but thought that he saw a vision. 10And when they had passed through the first and the second guard, 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 the angel immediately departed from him. 11And when Peter came to himself, he said: Now I know, in truth, that the Lord has sent his angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod, and from all that was expected by the Jewish people. 12And being aware of his condition, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, who is surnamed Mark, where many had met together, and were praying. 13And when he knocked at the door of the entrance, a maidservant, named Rhoda, came to listen. 14And recognizing Peter's voice, she did not open the entrance for joy, but ran in and told that Peter was standing before the entrance. 15And they said to her: You are mad. But she confidently affirmed that it was even so. Then said they: It is his angel. 16But Peter continued to knock; and when they had opened the door, they saw him, and were astonished. 17But, having made a sign to them with his hand, that they should keep silence, he made known to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison, and he said: Tell this to James, and to the brethren. And he went out, and departed to another place.

18And when it was day, there was no little confusion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter. 19But Herod, when he had sought for him, and found him not, examined the keepers, and commanded them to be put to death. And he went down from Judea to Cesarean, and there he remained.

The Death of Herod

20And he was intending to make war upon the Tyrians and Sidonians; but they came with one consent to him; and having made Blastus, who had charge of the king's bed-chamber, their friend, they asked for peace, because their country was supported by that of the king. 21And on an appointed day, Herod, having arrayed himself in royal apparel, and seated himself on his throne, delivered an oration to them. 22And the people shouted: It is the voice of God, and not of man. 23And immediately an angel of the Lord smote him, because he did not give God the glory. And having been eaten by worms, he expired.

24But the word of the Lord increased and multiplied.

25And Barnabas and Saul, after they had fulfilled their ministry, returned from Jerusalem, taking with them John, whose surname was Mark.