Acts 12:10-25 ▼

10 when they had pass'd the first and second guard, they came to the iron-gate that leads to the city, which open'd to them of itself: so they went out and pass'd together thro' one street: when all of a sudden the angel quitted Peter. Then coming to himself; now,

11 said he, I know for certain, that the Lord has sent his angel, and has deliver'd me from the hands of Herod, and from what the Jews were in expectation of.

12 then recollecting where he was, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, surnam'd Mark, where many were assembled at prayers.

13 when he had knock'd at the door of the gate, a servant named Rhoda came to ask who was there.

14 upon hearing Peter tell his name, instead of opening the gate, she ran, out of joy, to tell them, that Peter was there.

15 are you mad? said they, but she persisting that it was even so, they reply'd, it is then his angel.

16 as Peter still continued knocking, they let him in, and seeing it was he, they were extremely surpriz'd:

17 but he made a sign to them with his hand, to be silent: and related to them, how the Lord had brought him out of the prison, go, said he, and acquaint James and the other brethren with this affair, after which he departed and went to another place.

18 As soon as it was day, the soldiers were in a world of confusion to know what was become of Peter.

19 Herod having caus'd diligent search to be made, without being able to find him, after examining the guards, he order'd them to execution, after which he departed from Judea, and went to Cesarea, where he resided.

20 Herod was then making warlike preparations against the Tyrians, and Sidonians: but they unanimously sent a deputation to court: where having gain'd Blastus the king's chamberlain, they brought matters to an accommodation: for their country was subsisted by the king's territorys.

21 one court-day, Herod array'd in his robes of state, and seated upon the throne, made a publick oration:

22 at which the people gave a shout, saying, it is the voice of a God, and not of a man.

23 but at the instant an angel of the Lord smote him, because he did not glorify God: so that he became a prey to worms and died. In the mean time, the

24 word of God made continual progress, and after Barnabas

25 and Saul had executed their commission, they return'd to Jerusalem, and took with them John who was surnam'd Mark.