Acts 12

Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.

1Around that time, King Herod began to hurt some people in the church. The church was the group of people who followed Jesus.

NoteThe old word "vex" in verse 1 means to harm or hurt, not just to annoy.

2And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.

2He had James, the brother of John, killed with a sword.

3And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)

3Herod saw that this made the Jewish leaders glad. So he arrested Peter too. It was the week called the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when people ate flat bread made without yeast.

4And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.

4Herod took Peter and put him in prison. He gave him to four groups of four soldiers to guard. Herod planned to bring Peter out to the people after Passover.

Note"Four quaternions of soldiers" means four groups of four soldiers each. They took turns guarding him. The KJV word "Easter" here means Passover, the Jewish feast happening that week.

5Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

5So Peter stayed in prison. But the church kept praying to God for him, again and again.

6And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.

6The night before Herod planned to bring him out, Peter was asleep. He lay between two soldiers, tied with two chains. More guards stood watch at the door.

7And, 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.

7Then an angel of the Lord came, and a light shone in the room. An angel is a messenger sent from God. The angel tapped Peter's side and woke him. He said, "Get up, quickly!" The chains fell off Peter's hands.

8And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.

8The angel said, "Get dressed and put on your sandals." Peter did it. Then the angel said, "Put your coat on and follow me."

9And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.

9Peter went out and followed him. He did not know that this was really happening. He thought he was seeing a picture in his mind.

10When they were past the first and the second ward, 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.

10They walked past the first guard post, and then the second one. They came to the iron gate that led into the city. The gate opened all by itself. They went out and walked down one street. Then the angel suddenly left him.

11And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the LORD hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.

11Then Peter understood what had happened. He said, "Now I know for sure. The Lord sent his angel and saved me from Herod. The Jewish people were waiting to see me hurt, and I am safe from all of it."

12And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.

12Once he understood, Peter went to Mary's house. She was the mother of John, who was also called Mark. Many people were gathered there, praying.

13And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.

13Peter knocked at the outer gate. A servant girl named Rhoda came to answer it.

14And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.

14She knew Peter's voice. She was so happy that she forgot to open the gate. She ran back inside and said Peter was standing outside.

15And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.

15They said to her, "You are out of your mind." But she kept saying it was true. Then they said, "It must be his angel."

16But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.

16Peter kept on knocking. When they finally opened the door and saw him, they could hardly believe it.

17But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.

17Peter waved his hand for them to be quiet. He told them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. He said, "Tell James and the other believers about this." Then he left and went somewhere else.

18Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.

18When morning came, the soldiers were very upset. They did not know what had happened to Peter.

19And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there abode.

19Herod looked for Peter but could not find him. He questioned the guards and ordered that they be put to death. Then he went from Judaea down to Caesarea and stayed there.

20And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king’s chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king’s country.

20Herod was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. So they all came to him together. They first made a friend of Blastus, the helper who looked after the king's house. Then they asked Herod for peace. They did this because their food came from his land.

21And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.

21On the day that was chosen, Herod put on his royal robes. He sat on his throne and gave a speech to the people.

22And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.

22The people shouted, "This is the voice of a god, not of a man!"

23And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.

23Right away an angel of the Lord struck Herod down. This was because Herod did not give the honor to God. Worms ate him, and he died.

Note"Gave up the ghost" is an old way of saying that he died.

24But the word of God grew and multiplied.

24But God's message kept growing and spreading to more and more people.

25And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.

25Barnabas and Saul finished the work they came to do in Jerusalem. Then they went back, and they took John, who was also called Mark, with them.