Acts 12:1-12

James Killed and Peter Imprisoned

1About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. 2He killed aJames the brother of John bwith the sword, 3and when he saw cthat it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during dthe days of Unleavened Bread. 4And when he had seized him, he put him ein prison, delivering him over to four fsquads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. 5So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest gprayer for him was made to God by the church.

Peter Is Rescued

6Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, hbound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. 7And behold, ian angel of the Lord jstood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. kHe struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And lthe chains fell off his hands. 8And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and mput on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” 9And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but nthought he was seeing a vision. 10When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. oIt opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. 11When Peter pcame to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that qthe Lord has sent his angel and rrescued me from 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 sJohn whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and twere praying.
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