Acts 12
James Killed and Peter
Imprisoned |
1 |
Now about that time Herod the king
stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the
church.
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2 |
And he killed James the brother of John
with the sword.
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3 |
And because he saw it pleased the Jews,
he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of
unleavened bread.)
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4 |
And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions
of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter Ex. 12.1-27 to bring him forth to the people.
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5 |
Peter therefore was kept in prison: but
prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for
him.
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Peter Delivered from
Prison |
6 |
And 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.
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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.
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8 |
And 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.
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9 |
And 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.
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10 |
When 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.
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11 |
And 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.
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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.
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13 |
And as Peter knocked at the door of the
gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.
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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.
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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.
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16 |
But Peter continued knocking: and when
they had opened the door, and saw him, they were
astonished.
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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 show these things unto James, and
to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another
place.
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18 |
Now as soon as it was day, there was no
small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.
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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 Judea to
Caesare'a, and there abode.
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The Death of
Herod |
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.
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21 |
And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in
royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto
them.
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22 |
And the people gave a shout, saying,
It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.
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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.
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24 |
But the word of God grew and
multiplied.
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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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