Acts 12

Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.

Around that period, King Herod, in his power, began to torment some members of the church.

And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.

He ended the life of James, John's brother, with the sword.

And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)

Seeing the joy it brought the Jews, he decided to go a step further and seize Peter as well. (This was during the time of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.)

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.

After capturing him, Herod threw him into jail, guarded by four squads of soldiers. The plan was to present him to the public after the Passover.

Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

Peter was locked away in jail, yet the church never stopped pouring out heartfelt prayers to God on his behalf.

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.

On the night Herod planned to present him, Peter, shackled and sandwiched between two guards, slept peacefully. Meanwhile, the jailers diligently guarded the prison entrance.

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.

Suddenly, a divine messenger appeared before him, filling the dark prison cell with a radiant light. He gently nudged Peter, urging him to get up quickly. As Peter rose, his chains miraculously fell away from his hands.

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.

The angel instructed him, "Get ready, put on your sandals." He did as told. Then the angel said, "Wrap your cloak around you and come with me."

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.

He left and trailed behind him, unaware that the angel's actions were real; he believed he was merely experiencing a dream.

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.

After crossing two checkpoints, they reached the city's iron gate, which surprisingly opened on its own. They walked through a street and immediately, the angel left them.

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.

Once Peter regained his senses, he realized with absolute certainty that God had sent an angel to rescue him from Herod's clutches and the anticipations of the Jewish people.

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.

After deep thought, he arrived at the home of Mary, the mother of John, who was also called Mark. There, he found many immersed in prayer.

And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.

As Peter rapped on the gate's door, a young woman named Rhoda, filled with curiosity, came to listen.

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.

When she recognized Peter's voice, she was so overjoyed that she forgot to open the gate. Instead, she rushed in to announce that Peter was standing at the gate.

And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.

They dismissed her, accusing her of insanity. Yet, she stood firm in her belief. Finally, they conceded, "It must be his angel."

But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.

Peter persisted in his knocking. As the door swung open and they caught sight of him, they were filled with utter disbelief.

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.

With a calming wave of his hand, he hushed them. He shared his miraculous escape from prison, orchestrated by the Lord himself. "Go, tell James and our brothers about this," he urged. Then, he left, disappearing into a different location.

Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.

As dawn broke, the soldiers were in a state of anxious confusion, wondering where Peter had disappeared to.

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.

When Herod couldn't find him, he was filled with frustration. He interrogated the guards, angrily ordering their execution. Then, he left Judaea for Caesarea, where he stayed, his heart heavy with disappointment.

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.

Herod was deeply upset with the people of Tyre and Sidon. Yet, they united and approached him, befriending Blastus, the king's aide, seeking peace. They knew their land depended on the king's land for survival.

And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.

On a predetermined day, Herod, dressed in his regal attire, took his place on the throne. He then delivered a speech to them.

And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.

The crowd erupted, exclaiming, "This is the divine voice, not a mere human's!"

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.

Suddenly, God's angel struck him down, as he failed to honor God. He was consumed by worms and breathed his last.

But the word of God grew and multiplied.

God's message flourished and expanded, touching many hearts.

And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.

After completing their sacred mission in Jerusalem, Barnabas and Saul returned home, bringing along their companion, John, also known as Mark.