3
When he saw how much it raised his popularity ratings with the Jews, he arrested Peter - all this during Passover Week, mind you -
4
and had him thrown in jail, putting four squads of four soldiers each to guard him. He was planning a public lynching after Passover.
5
All the time that Peter was under heavy guard in the jailhouse, the church prayed for him most strenuously.
6
Then the time came for Herod to bring him out for the kill. That night, even though shackled to two soldiers, one on either side, Peter slept like a baby. And there were guards at the door keeping their eyes on the place. Herod was taking no chances!
7
Suddenly there was an angel at his side and light flooding the room. The angel shook Peter and got him up: "Hurry!" The handcuffs fell off his wrists.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.