1
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 that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (This was during 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 guard him, intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.
5
Peter therefore was kept in prison, but prayer was made without ceasing by the church unto God for him.
6
And when Herod would have brought him forth, that same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains; and the keepers were guarding the door of 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 the angel said unto him, "Cast thy garment about thee and follow me."
9
And he went out and followed him, and knew not whether what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he saw a vision.
10
When they had passed the first and the second guard, 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 had come to himself, he said, "Now I know in truth that the Lord hath sent His angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod and from all the expectations of the people of the Jews."