"Now about that time, King Herod laid hands on some of the church to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death by the sword. When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he also arrested Peter. This happened during the days of unleavened bread." (Acts 12:1-3).

 "When Herod had Peter arrested, he sent him to prison, with four squads of four soldiers each to guard him. He was intending to bring him before the people after the Passover. So Peter was kept in the prison, but the church prayed fervently to God for Peter. Now on the very night that Herod was about to bring him out, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains. Guards in front of the door kept the prison secure." (Acts 12:4-6).

"And behold, an angel of the Lord stood beside Peter, and a light shone in the cell. The angel struck Peter on the side, and woke him up. He said, “Quickly! Stand up!” and the chains fell from Peter’s hands. The angel said to him, “Get dressed and put your sandals on.” Peter did so. Then the angel said to him, “Put on your cloak, and follow me.” Peter followed him out, but he did not know that the angel’s actions were real. Peter thought he was seeing a vision. When they'd passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city. The gate opened for them by itself. They went out, and down one street, and then the angel departed from Peter." (Acts 12:7-10).

 "When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I truly know that the Lord has sent forth his angel and delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from everything the Jewish people were expecting.” Having realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. When Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a maid named Rhoda came to answer. When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so excited with joy that she didn't open the gate. She ran inside, and told everyone that Peter was standing in front of the gate. They said to her, “You are crazy!” But she insisted that it was so. They said, “It must be his angel.”" (Acts 12:11-15).

 "But Peter kept knocking. When they opened up, they saw him, and were amazed. But he made a sign with his hand to be silent. He told them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. He said, “Tell these things to James, and to the brethren.” 

 "At break of day, there was consternation among the soldiers about what had become of Peter. Herod made a search for him, but didn't find him, so then he examined the guards, and commanded that they be executed. Herod then went down from Judea to Caesarea, and spent time there." (Acts 12:18-19).

 "Now Herod was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. Their country depended on the king's country for food, so they came to him with a united front to make peace —they'd been able to win over Blastus, the king's personal aide. On an appointed day, Herod dressed himself in royal clothing, sat on the throne, and made a speech to them. The people shouted, “The voice of God, and not of a man!” Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he didn't give God the glory. He was eaten by worms and died." (Acts 12:20-23).

But the word of God grew and multiplied. Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their service, also taking with them John whose surname was Mark." (Acts 12:24-25).