1
It was around this time that King Herod began arresting and persecuting certain members of the Messianic community;
2
and he had Ya'akov, Yochanan's brother, put to death by the sword.
3
When Herod saw how much this pleased the Judeans, he went on to arrest Kefa as well. It was during the Days of Matzah,
4
so when Herod seized him, he threw him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each, with the intention of bringing him to public trial after Pesach.
5
So Kefa was being held under watch in prison, but intense prayer was being made to God on his behalf by the Messianic community.
6
The night before Herod was going to bring him to trial, Kefa was sleeping between two soldiers. He was bound with two chains; and guards were at the door, keeping watch over the prison.
7
Suddenly an angel of ADONAI stood there, and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Kefa's side and woke him. "Hurry! Get up!" he said; and the chains fell off his hands.