1 About that time King Herod began to harass some who belonged to the church.
2
He had James, John's brother, killed with a sword.
3
When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he arrested Peter as well. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread.
4
He put Peter in prison, handing him over to four squads of soldiers, sixteen in all, who guarded him. He planned to charge him publicly after the Passover.
5
While Peter was held in prison, the church offered earnest prayer to God for him.
6
The night before Herod was going to bring Peter's case forward, Peter was asleep between two soldiers and bound with two chains, with soldiers guarding the prison entrance.
7
Suddenly an angel from the Lord appeared and a light shone in the prison cell. After nudging Peter on his side to awaken him, the angel raised him up and said, "Quick! Get up!" The chains fell from his wrists.