Acts 12
Wycliffe Bible
12 And in the same time Herod the king sent power, to torment some men of the church.[a]
2 And he slew by sword James, the brother of John.
3 And he saw that it pleased to the Jews, and cast to take also Peter; and the days of therf loaves were.
4 And when he had caught Peter, he sent him into prison; and betook him to four quaternions of knights, to keep him, and would after pask bring him forth to the people [willing after pask to bring him forth to the people].
5 And Peter was kept in prison; but prayer was made of the church without ceasing to God for him.
6 But when Herod should bring him forth, in that night Peter was sleeping betwixt two knights, and was bound with two chains [in that night, Peter was sleeping between two knights, bound with two chains]; and the keepers before the door kept the prison.
7 And lo! an angel of the Lord stood nigh, and light shone in the prison house. And when he had smitten the side of Peter, he raised him, and said, Rise thou swiftly [And the side of Peter smitten, he raised, or waked, him, saying, Rise swiftly]. And at once [And anon] the chains felled down from his hands.
8 And the angel said to him, Gird thee, and do on thine hoses [and do on thy hoses]. And he did so. And he said to him, Do about thee thy clothes [Do about to thee thy cloth], and follow me.
9 And he went out, and followed him; and he wist not that it was sooth, that was done by the angel; for he guessed himself to have seen a vision.
10 And they passed the first and the second ward, and came to the iron gate that leadeth to the city, which at once was opened to them[b]. And they went out, and came [forth] into one street, and at once [and anon] the angel passed away from him.
11 And Peter turned again to himself, and said [And Peter turning again to himself, said], Now I know verily, that the Lord sent his angel, and delivered me from the hand of Herod, and from all the abiding of the people of Jews.
12 And he beheld, and came to the house of Mary [And he beholding, came to the house of Mary], the mother of John, that is named Mark, where many were gathered together, and praying.
13 And when he knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel, Rhoda by name, came forth to see.
14 And when she knew the voice of Peter, for joy she opened not the gate, but ran in, and told, that Peter stood at the gate [that Peter stood before the gate].
15 And they said to her, Thou maddest [Thou maddest, or art mad]. But she affirmed, that it was so. And they said, It is his angel.
16 But Peter abode still, and knocked [Forsooth Peter lasted knocking]. And when they had opened the door, they saw him, and wondered.
17 And he beckoned to them with his hand to be still, and told how the Lord had led him out of the prison[c]. And he said, Tell ye to James and to the brethren these things. And he went out, and went into another place.
18 And when the day was come, there was not little troubling among the knights, what was done of Peter.
19 And when Herod had sought him, and found not, after that he had made inquiring of the keepers, he commanded them to be brought to him. And he came down from Judaea into Caesarea, and dwelled there.
20 And he was wroth to men of Tyre and of Sidon [of Tyre and Sidon]. And they of one accord came to him, when they had counseled with Blastus, that was the king's chamberlain, they asked peace, for as much as their countries were victualed of him [for that their countries were nourished by him].
21 And in a day that was ordained, Herod was clothed with king's clothing, and sat for doomsman, and spake to them. [Forsooth a day ordained, Herod clothed with king's clothing, sat for doomsman, and spake to them.]
22 And the people cried, The voice of God, and not of man.
23 And at once [Soothly anon] an angel of the Lord smote him, for he had not given honour to God; and he was wasted of worms, and died.
24 And the word of the Lord waxed, and was multiplied.
25 And Barnabas and Saul turned again from Jerusalem, when the ministry was filled [Forsooth Barnabas and Saul turned again from Jerusalem, the ministry fulfilled], and took John, that was named Mark.
Footnotes
- Acts 12:1 Forsooth in the same time, Herod the king sent hands, to torment some men of the church.
- Acts 12:10 the which willfully is opened to them/which at their own will was opened to them
- Acts 12:17 Soothly he beckoning to them with hand to be still, told them how the Lord had led him out of the prison
Acts 12
New Matthew Bible
Herod persecutes the Christians, kills James the brother of John, and puts Peter in prison, whom the Lord delivers by an angel. The shameful death of Herod.
12 In that time, Herod the king stretched forth his hand to persecute some of the congregation. 2 And he killed James, the brother of John, with the sword. 3 And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further and took Peter also. This was during the days of sweet bread. 4 And when he had caught Peter, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to be kept, intending after the Passover to bring him forth to the people.
5 Then Peter was kept in prison. But prayer for him was made to God without ceasing by the congregation. 6 And when Herod was about to bring him out to the people, that night Peter slept between two soldiers, bound with two chains; and the guards before the door kept the prison.
7 And behold, the angel of the Lord was there present, and a light shone in the jail. And he struck Peter on the side and awoke him, 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 so he did. And the angel said to him, Cast your mantle around you, and follow me.
9 And Peter came out and followed him, and did not know that it was really being done by the angel, but thought he had seen a vision. 10 When they were past the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them by its own accord. And they went out and passed down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.
11 And when Peter came to himself, he said, Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent his angel, and has delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the Jews were waiting for. 12 And as he considered the matter, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of one John who was also called Mark, where many were gathered together in prayer.
13 As Peter knocked at the entry door, a maidservant named Rhoda came forth to listen. 14 And when she recognized Peter’s voice, she did not open the entry door for gladness, but ran in and said that Peter was standing before the entry. 15 And they said to her, You are mad. But she insisted that it was really so. Then they said, It is his angel. 16 But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. 17 And he motioned to them with his hand to hold their peace, and told them by what means the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go, and tell these things to James and to the brethren.
And he departed, and went to another place.
18 As soon as it was day, there was no little ado among the soldiers about what had become of Peter. 19 When Herod had called for him, but not found him, he examined the guards, and commanded them to depart. And he descended from Judea to Caesarea, and stayed there.
20 Now Herod had been displeased with the people of Tyre and Sidon. And they came all at once and made intercession to Blastus, the king’s chamberlain, and requested peace, because their country was supplied with food by the king’s land. 21 And upon a day appointed, Herod arrayed himself in royal apparel, and sat in his seat and made a speech to them. 22 And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man!
23 And immediately the angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the honour. And he was eaten by worms and gave up the spirit.
24 And the word of God grew and multiplied. 25 As for Barnabas and Paul, they went again to Jerusalem and delivered the relief, and took with them John, who was also called Mark.
Acts 12
1599 Geneva Bible
12 Herod killeth James with the sword, 4 And imprisoneth Peter, 8 whom the Angel delivereth. 20 Herod being offended with them of Tyrus, 21 is pacified: 22 And taking the honor due to God, to himself, 23 he is eaten with worms , and so dieth.
1 Now [a]about that time, [b]Herod the king stretched forth his hand to vex certain of the Church,
2 And he [c]killed James the brother of John with the sword.
3 [d]And when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further, to take Peter also (then were the days of unleavened bread.)
4 [e]And when he had caught him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to be kept, intending after the Passover to bring him forth to the people.
5 [f]So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer was made of the Church unto God for him.
6 And when Herod would have brought him out unto the people, the same night slept Peter between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and the keepers before the door, kept the prison.
7 (A)And behold the Angel of the Lord came upon them, and a light shined in the [g]house, and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.
8 And the Angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. Then he said unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.
9 So Peter came out and followed him, and knew not that it was true, which was done by the Angel, but thought he had seen a vision.
10 Now when they were past the first and the second watch, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city, which opened to them by its own accord, and they went out, and passed through one street, and by and by the Angel departed from him.
11 ¶ And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know for a truth, that the Lord hath sent his Angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the waiting for of the people of the Jews.
12 [h]And as he considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John, whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together, and prayed.
13 [i]And when Peter knocked at the entry door, a maid [j]came forth to hearken, named Rhoda,
14 But when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the entry door for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the entry.
15 But they said unto her, Thou art mad. Yet she affirmed it constantly, that it was so. Then said they, It is his Angel.
16 But Peter continued knocking, and when they had opened it, and saw him, they were astonied.
17 [k]And he beckoned unto them with the hand, to hold their peace, and told them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go show these things unto James and to the brethren: and he departed and went into another place.
18 ¶ [l]Now as soon as it was day, there was no small trouble among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.
19 And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded them to be led to be punished. And he went down from Judea to Caesarea, and there abode.
20 [m]Then Herod was angry with them of Tyre and Sidon, but they came all with one accord unto him, and persuaded Blastus the King’s Chamberlain, and they desired peace, because their country was nourished by the King’s land.
21 And upon a day appointed, Herod arrayed himself in royal apparel, and sat on the judgment seat, and made an oration unto them.
22 [n]And the people gave a shout, saying, The voice of God, and not of man.
23 [o]But immediately the Angel of the Lord smote him, because he [p]gave not glory unto God, so that he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.
24 [q]And the [r]word of God grew, and multiplied.
25 So Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their office, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.
Footnotes
- Acts 12:1 God giveth his Church a truce, but for a little time.
- Acts 12:1 This name Herod was common to all them that came of the stock of Herod Ascalonites, whose surname was Magnus: but he that is spoken of here, was nephew to Herod the great son to Aristobulus, and father to that Agrippa who is spoken of afterward.
- Acts 12:2 Violently, his cause being not once heard.
- Acts 12:3 It is an old fashion of tyrants to procure the favor of the wicked, with the blood of the godly.
- Acts 12:4 The tyrants and wicked make a gallows for themselves, even then when they do most according to their own will and fantasy.
- Acts 12:5 The prayers of the godly overturn the counsel of tyrants, obtain Angels of God, break the prison, unloose chains, put Satan to flight and preserve the Church.
- Acts 12:7 In the prison.
- Acts 12:12 Holy meeting in the night as well of men as women (when they cannot be suffered in the day time) are allowable by the example of the Apostles.
- Acts 12:13 We obtain more of God, than we dare well hope for.
- Acts 12:13 Out of the place where they were assembled, but not out of the house.
- Acts 12:17 We may sometimes give place to the rage of the wicked, but yet so that our diligence which ought to be used in God’s business, be not a whit slackened.
- Acts 12:18 Evil counsel falleth out in the end to the hurt of the devisers of it.
- Acts 12:20 A miserable and shameful example of the end of the enemies of the Church.
- Acts 12:22 The flattery of the people, maketh fools fain.
- Acts 12:23 God resisteth the proud.
- Acts 12:23 Josephus recordeth, that this king did not repress those flatterers’ tongues, and therefore at his death he complained and cried out of their vanity.
- Acts 12:24 Tyrants build up the Church by plucking it down.
- Acts 12:24 They that heard the word of God.
Acts 12
Authorized (King James) Version
12 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. 2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. 3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) 4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. 5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. 7 And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. 8 And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. 9 And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. 10 When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him. 11 And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.
12 And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying. 13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. 14 And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate. 15 And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel. 16 But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished. 17 But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.
18 Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter. 19 And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judæa to Cæsarea, and there abode.
20 And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king’s chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king’s country. 21 And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. 22 And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. 23 And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.
24 But the word of God grew and multiplied. 25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.
2001 by Terence P. Noble
Copyright © 2016 by Ruth Magnusson (Davis). Includes emendations to February 2022. All rights reserved.
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