1 [12:1]AND at that time Herod the king put forth his hands to injure some of the church. [12:2]And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. [12:3]And seeing that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to apprehend Peter also,--and it was during the days of unleavened bread,-- [12:4]and having seized he put him in prison, committing him to four companies of four soldiers each to guard him, wishing after the passover to bring him before the people. [12:5]Peter therefore was kept by the guard; but prayer was made incessantly by the church to God for him. [12:6]And when Herod was about to bring him forward, on that night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and guards kept watch before the door. [12:7]And behold, an angel of the Lord came, and a light shone in the building; and striking Peter on the side he awoke him saying, Arise quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. [12:8]And the angel said to him, Gird yourself, and tie on your sandals. And he did so. And he said to him, Put your cloak about you, and follow me. [12:9]And going out he followed him, and knew not that it was real which was done by the angel, but thought he saw a vision. [12:10]And passing through the first guard, and the second, they came to the iron gate leading into the city, which opened to them of itself, and going out they went forward one street, and immediately the angel left him. [12:11]And Peter coming to himself said, Now I know that the Lord has really sent his angel and delivered me from the hand of Herod and all the expectation of the Jews. 2 [12:12]And considering within himself he came to the house of Mary the mother of John called Mark, where a great number were assembled together and praying. [12:13]And knocking at the door of the gate, a female servant, called Rhoda, came to listen, [12:14]and knowing the voice of Peter she did not open the gate from joy, but ran in and told that Peter stood before the gate. [12:15]But they said to her, You are mad. But she asserted strongly that it was so. And they said, It is his angel. [12:16]But Peter continued knocking; and having opened they saw him, and were astonished. [12:17]And making signs to them with his hand to be silent, he related how the Lord had conducted him out of the prison, and said, Tell these things to James and the brothers. And going out he departed to another place. 3 [12:18]And when it was day there was no small stir among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter. [12:19]And Herod seeking and not finding him, examined the guards, and commanded them to be put to death, and going down from Judea to Caesarea remained [there].