Handelingen 12
BasisBijbel
Petrus wordt uit de gevangenis bevrijd door een engel
12 In die tijd nam koning Herodes een aantal mensen uit de gemeente gevangen. 2 Hij liet Jakobus, de broer van Johannes, onthoofden. 3 Hij zag dat hij de Joden daarmee een plezier deed. Daarom nam hij ook Petrus gevangen. Dat gebeurde tijdens het Feest van de Ongegiste Broden.[a] 4 Hij liet hem in de gevangenis zetten. Vier groepjes van vier soldaten moesten hem bewaken. Hij was van plan om hem na het feest in het openbaar ter dood te veroordelen. 5 Terwijl Petrus in de gevangenis zat, bleef de gemeente aldoor voor hem bidden.
6 De nacht vóórdat Herodes over hem zou rechtspreken, lag Petrus tussen twee soldaten te slapen. Hij was met twee ijzeren kettingen geboeid. Voor de deur van de gevangenis stonden bewakers op wacht. 7 Plotseling scheen er licht in de kerker. Er stond een engel van de Heer bij hem. Hij stootte Petrus in zijn zij om hem wakker te maken. Hij zei tegen hem: "Sta snel op!" De boeien vielen van Petrus' handen. 8 En de engel zei tegen hem: "Doe je riem om en trek je sandalen aan." Dat deed Petrus. Toen zei de engel: "Sla je mantel om en volg mij." 9 Petrus volgde de engel naar buiten. Hij wist niet dat het allemaal echt gebeurde, maar hij dacht dat hij droomde. 10 Ze liepen langs de eerste en de tweede wachtpost. Daarna kwamen ze bij de ijzeren poort die op de straat uitkwam. De poort ging vanzelf voor hen open. Ze gingen naar buiten en liepen samen één straat ver. Toen was de engel plotseling verdwenen. 11 Petrus begreep intussen wat er was gebeurd. Hij zei: "De Heer heeft een engel gestuurd om mij te bevrijden! Hij heeft me gered uit de handen van Herodes en uit alles wat de Joden verwachtten dat er met mij zou gebeuren!"
12 Petrus dacht een ogenblik na. Toen ging hij naar het huis van Maria, de moeder van Johannes Markus. Daar waren veel mensen bij elkaar om samen te bidden. 13 Petrus klopte op de deur. Er kwam een slavin, Rhode, om te horen wie er was. 14 Toen ze de stem van Petrus herkende, deed ze van blijdschap de deur níet open. Ze liep naar binnen om te vertellen dat Petrus voor de deur stond. 15 Ze geloofden haar niet en zeiden tegen haar: "Je praat onzin!" Maar ze bleef volhouden dat het Petrus was. Ze zeiden tegen haar: "Dan zal het zijn engel wel zijn." 16 Petrus bleef kloppen tot ze open deden. Ze waren stomverbaasd toen ze hem zagen staan. 17 Hij gebaarde dat ze stil moesten zijn. Toen kon hij vertellen hoe de Heer hem uit de gevangenis had bevrijd. En hij zei: "Vertel het aan Jakobus en de andere broeders." Daarna vertrok hij naar een andere plaats.
18 Toen het dag was geworden, raakten de soldaten in rep en roer. Ze begrepen niet wat er met Petrus gebeurd zou kunnen zijn. 19 Herodes liet zijn mannen naar Petrus zoeken, maar ze vonden hem niet. Daarom nam hij de wachtposten gevangen, verhoorde hen en liet hen doden. Daarna vertrok hij uit Judea naar Cesarea. Daar bleef hij.
De dood van Herodus
20 Herodes was van plan om de steden Tyrus en Sidon aan te vallen. Maar ze stuurden boodschappers naar Blastus, zijn kamerheer. Ze wisten Blastus over te halen om voor hen aan koning Herodes om vrede te vragen. Vrede was belangrijk voor hen, omdat hun land voor graan afhankelijk was van Herodes. 21 Op een dag zat Herodes in zijn koningsmantel op zijn troon en hield een toespraak tot hen. 22 En het volk juichte hem toe: "Hoor, dat is een god die daar spreekt, niet een mens!" 23 Onmiddellijk werd hij door een engel van de Heer gestraft, omdat hij de eer niet aan God gaf maar voor zichzelf hield. Hij werd door wormen opgegeten en stierf.
Saulus en Barnabas krijgen een speciale taak
24 En het woord van de Heer groeide en verspreidde zich. 25 Barnabas en Saulus hadden in Jeruzalem het geschenk uit Antiochië afgegeven. Nu kwamen ze in Antiochië terug. Ze brachten ook Johannes Markus uit Jeruzalem mee. (lees verder)
Footnotes
- Handelingen 12:3 Het Feest van de Ongegiste Broden is direct na het Paasfeest. Het Paasfeest wordt op de eerste avond van het feest gevierd. De twee feesten horen bij elkaar. De Joden vieren daarmee het vertrek van het volk Israël uit de slavernij in Egypte. Lees Exodus 12. Tijdens de zeven dagen van het feest mag helemaal geen brood met gist gegeten worden.
Acts 12
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 Judaea to Caesarea, 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.
Acts 12
New King James Version
Herod’s Violence to the Church
12 Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. 2 Then he killed James (A)the brother of John with the sword. 3 And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during (B)the Days of Unleavened Bread. 4 So (C)when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four [a]squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover.
Peter Freed from Prison
5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but [b]constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. 6 And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were [c]keeping the prison. 7 Now behold, (D)an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands. 8 Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.” 9 So he went out and followed him, and (E)did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought (F)he was seeing a vision. 10 When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, (G)which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.
11 And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that (H)the Lord has sent His angel, and (I)has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.”
12 So, when he had considered this, (J)he came to the house of Mary, the mother of (K)John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together (L)praying. 13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her gladness she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter stood before the gate. 15 But they said to her, “You are beside yourself!” Yet she kept insisting that it was so. So they said, (M)“It is his angel.”
16 Now Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. 17 But (N)motioning to them with his hand to keep silent, he declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Go, tell these things to James and to the brethren.” And he departed and went to another place.
18 Then, as soon as it was day, there was no small [d]stir among the soldiers about what had become of Peter. 19 But when Herod had searched for him and not found him, he examined the guards and commanded that they should be put to death.
And he went down from Judea to Caesarea, and stayed there.
Herod’s Violent Death
20 Now Herod had been very angry with the people of (O)Tyre and Sidon; but they came to him with one accord, and having made Blastus [e]the king’s personal aide their friend, they asked for peace, because (P)their country was [f]supplied with food by the king’s country.
21 So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. 22 And the people kept shouting, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” 23 Then immediately an angel of the Lord (Q)struck him, because (R)he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and [g]died.
24 But (S)the word of God grew and multiplied.
Barnabas and Saul Appointed
25 And (T)Barnabas and Saul returned [h]from Jerusalem when they had (U)fulfilled their ministry, and they also (V)took with them (W)John whose surname was Mark.
Footnotes
- Acts 12:4 Gr. tetrads, squads of four
- Acts 12:5 NU constantly or earnestly
- Acts 12:6 guarding
- Acts 12:18 disturbance
- Acts 12:20 who was in charge of the king’s bedchamber
- Acts 12:20 Lit. nourished
- Acts 12:23 breathed his last
- Acts 12:25 NU, M to
Acts 12
English Standard Version
James Killed and Peter Imprisoned
12 About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. 2 He killed (A)James the brother of John (B)with the sword, 3 and when he saw (C)that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during (D)the days of Unleavened Bread. 4 And when he had seized him, he put him (E)in prison, delivering him over to four (F)squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. 5 So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest (G)prayer for him was made to God by the church.
Peter Is Rescued
6 Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, (H)bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. 7 And behold, (I)an angel of the Lord (J)stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. (K)He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And (L)the chains fell off his hands. 8 And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and (M)put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” 9 And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but (N)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. (O)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 (P)came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that (Q)the Lord has sent his angel and (R)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 (S)John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and (T)were praying. 13 And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, (U)a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14 Recognizing Peter's voice, (V)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 (W)his angel!” 16 But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. 17 But (X)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 (Y)James and to (Z)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 (AA)ordered that they should be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and spent time there.
The Death of Herod
20 Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they came to him with one accord, and (AB)having persuaded Blastus, the king's chamberlain,[b] they asked for peace, because (AC)their country depended on the king's country for food. 21 On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them. 22 And the people were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!” 23 Immediately (AD)an angel of the Lord struck him down, because (AE)he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last.
24 But (AF)the word of God increased and multiplied.
25 (AG)And Barnabas and Saul returned from[c] Jerusalem when they had completed their service, bringing with them (AH)John, whose other name was Mark.
Footnotes
- Acts 12:17 Or brothers and sisters
- Acts 12:20 That is, trusted personal attendant
- Acts 12:25 Some manuscripts to
© stichting BasisBijbel 2013 Gecorrigeerde tekst © 2015 Alle rechten voorbehouden Uitgegeven bij de ZakBijbelBond: 2016
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
