Peter Is Rescued

Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, (A)bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. And behold, (B)an angel of the Lord (C)stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. (D)He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And (E)the chains fell off his hands. And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and (F)put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but (G)thought he was seeing a vision. 10 When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. (H)It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. 11 When Peter (I)came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that (J)the Lord has sent his angel and (K)rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”

12 When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of (L)John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and (M)were praying. 13 And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, (N)a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14 Recognizing Peter's voice, (O)in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. 15 They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is (P)his angel!” 16 But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. 17 But (Q)motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell these things to (R)James and to (S)the brothers.”[a] Then he departed and went to another place.

18 Now when day came, there was no little disturbance among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. 19 And after Herod searched for him and did not find him, he examined the sentries and (T)ordered that they should be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and spent time there.

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 12:17 Or brothers and sisters

On [a]the very night when Herod was about to bring him forward, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, (A)bound with two chains, and guards in front of the door were watching over the prison. And behold, (B)an angel of the Lord suddenly (C)stood near Peter, and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter’s side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And (D)his chains fell off his hands. And the angel said to him, “Put on your belt and [b]strap on your sandals.” And he did so. And he *said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” And he went out and continued to follow, and yet he did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing (E)a vision. 10 Now when they had passed the first and second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which (F)opened for them by itself; and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. 11 When Peter (G)came [c]to himself, he said, “Now I know for sure that (H)the Lord has sent forth His angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all [d]that the Jewish people were expecting.” 12 And when he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of (I)John, who was also called Mark, where many were gathered together and (J)were praying. 13 When he knocked at the door of the gate, (K)a slave woman named Rhoda came to answer. 14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, (L)because of her joy she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter was standing in front of the gate. 15 They said to her, “You are out of your mind!” But she kept insisting that it was so. They said, “It is (M)his angel.” 16 But Peter continued knocking; and when they had opened the door, they saw him and were amazed. 17 But (N)motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had led him out of the prison. And he said, “Report these things to [e](O)James and (P)the brothers.” Then he left and went to another place.

18 Now when day came, there was no small disturbance among the soldiers as to [f]what could have become of Peter. 19 When Herod had searched for him and had not found him, he examined the guards and ordered that they (Q)be led away to execution. Then he went down from Judea to (R)Caesarea and was spending time there.

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 12:6 Lit that night
  2. Acts 12:8 Lit bind
  3. Acts 12:11 Lit in himself
  4. Acts 12:11 Lit the expectation of the people of the Jews
  5. Acts 12:17 Or Jacob
  6. Acts 12:18 Lit what therefore had become