Acts 12:3-13

3 and when he saw 1that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during 2the days of Unleavened Bread.
4 And when he had seized him, he put him 3in prison, delivering him over to four 4squads 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 5prayer 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, 6bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison.
7 And behold, 7an angel of the Lord 8stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. 9He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, "Get up quickly." And 10the chains fell off his hands.
8 And the angel said to him, "Dress yourself and 11put 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 12thought 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. 13It 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 14came to himself, he said, "Now I am sure that 15the Lord has sent his angel and 16rescued 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 17John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and 18were praying.
13 And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, 19a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer.

Cross References 19

  • 1. [Acts 24:27; Acts 25:9]
  • 2. Acts 20:6; Exodus 12:14, 15; Exodus 23:15
  • 3. See Luke 21:12
  • 4. [John 19:23]
  • 5. 2 Corinthians 1:11; Ephesians 6:18
  • 6. Acts 21:33
  • 7. See Acts 8:26
  • 8. Luke 2:9; Luke 24:4
  • 9. [1 Kings 19:7]
  • 10. Acts 16:26
  • 11. Mark 6:9
  • 12. Psalms 126:1
  • 13. Acts 5:19; Acts 16:26
  • 14. [Luke 15:17]
  • 15. Psalms 34:7; Psalms 91:11; Daniel 3:28; Daniel 6:22
  • 16. Psalms 33:18, 19; 2 Corinthians 1:10
  • 17. ver. 25; Acts 13:5, 13; Acts 15:37, 39; Colossians 4:10; 2 Timothy 4:11; Philemon 24; 1 Peter 5:13
  • 18. ver. 5
  • 19. John 18:16, 17
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.