12 When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark,(A) where many people had gathered and were praying.(B) 13 Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door.(C) 14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed(D) she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!”

15 “You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.”(E)

16 But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. 17 Peter motioned with his hand(F) for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. “Tell James(G) and the other brothers and sisters(H) about this,” he said, and then he left for another place.

18 In the morning, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter. 19 After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him, he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be executed.(I)

Herod’s Death

Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea(J) and stayed there. 20 He had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon;(K) they now joined together and sought an audience with him. After securing the support of Blastus, a trusted personal servant of the king, they asked for peace, because they depended on the king’s country for their food supply.(L)

21 On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. 22 They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” 23 Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel(M) of the Lord struck him down,(N) and he was eaten by worms and died.

24 But the word of God(O) continued to spread and flourish.(P)

Barnabas and Saul Sent Off

25 When Barnabas(Q) and Saul had finished their mission,(R) they returned from[a] Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark.(S)

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 12:25 Some manuscripts to

12 And 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.

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

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

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

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

17 But 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.

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

19 And 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.

20 And 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.

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

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

23 And 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.

24 But the word of God grew and multiplied.

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

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12 So, when he had considered this, (A)he came to the house of Mary, the mother of (B)John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together (C)praying. 13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her gladness she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter stood before the gate. 15 But they said to her, “You are beside yourself!” Yet she kept insisting that it was so. So they said, (D)“It is his angel.”

16 Now Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. 17 But (E)motioning to them with his hand to keep silent, he declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Go, tell these things to James and to the brethren.” And he departed and went to another place.

18 Then, as soon as it was day, there was no small [a]stir among the soldiers about what had become of Peter. 19 But when Herod had searched for him and not found him, he examined the guards and commanded that they should be put to death.

And he went down from Judea to Caesarea, and stayed there.

Herod’s Violent Death

20 Now Herod had been very angry with the people of (F)Tyre and Sidon; but they came to him with one accord, and having made Blastus [b]the king’s personal aide their friend, they asked for peace, because (G)their country was [c]supplied with food by the king’s country.

21 So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. 22 And the people kept shouting, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” 23 Then immediately an angel of the Lord (H)struck him, because (I)he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and [d]died.

24 But (J)the word of God grew and multiplied.

Barnabas and Saul Appointed

25 And (K)Barnabas and Saul returned [e]from Jerusalem when they had (L)fulfilled their ministry, and they also (M)took with them (N)John whose surname was Mark.

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 12:18 disturbance
  2. Acts 12:20 who was in charge of the king’s bedchamber
  3. Acts 12:20 Lit. nourished
  4. Acts 12:23 breathed his last
  5. Acts 12:25 NU, M to