Acts 12:1-11 ▼

1 Now about that time Herod the king put forth his bands to harm some of the assembly.

2 And he slew James, the brother of John, with the sword;

3 and, seeing that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. And then were the days of unleavened bread.

4 And, having seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him to four quaternions of soldiers to guard him; intending, after the passover, to bring him up to the people.

5 Peter, therefore, was kept in the prison; but prayer was being earnestly made by the assembly to God in his behalf.

6 And, when Herod was about to bring him forth, in that night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains; and guards before the door were keeping the prison.

7 And, behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him , and a light shined in the cell; and, smiting the side of Peter, he 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 he did so. And he says to him, "Cast your garment around you, and follow me."

9 And, going forth, he was following him ; and he knew not that it was true, which was being done by the angel, but was thinking that he saw a vision.

10 And, having passed the first and second watch; they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and, going out, they passed on through one street, and straightway the angel departed from him.

11 And Peter, having come to himself, said, "Now I know truly that the Lord sent forth His angel, and delivered me out of Herod's hand, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.