Acts 12 - J.B. Phillips New Testament (PHILLIPS)

Herod kills James and imprisons Peter

12 1-5 It was at this time that King Herod laid violent hands on some of the Church members. James, John’s brother, he executed with the sword, and when he found this action pleased the Jews he went on to arrest Peter as well. It was during the days of unleavened bread that he actually made the arrest. He put Peter in prison with no less than four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending to bring him out to the people after the Passover. So Peter was closely guarded in the prison, while the Church prayed to God earnestly on his behalf.

Peter’s miraculous rescue

6-8a On the very night that Herod was planning to bring him out, Peter was asleep between two soldiers, chained with double chains, while guards maintained a strict watch in the doorway of the prison. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared, and light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him up, saying, “Get up quickly.” His chains fell away from his hands and the angel said to him, “Fasten your belt and put on your sandals.”

8b-15a And he did so. Then the angel continued, “Wrap your cloak round you and follow me.” So Peter followed him out, not knowing whether what the angel was doing were real—indeed he felt he must be taking part in a vision. So they passed right through the first and second guard-points and came to the iron gate that led out into the city. This opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and had passed along the street when the angel suddenly vanished from Peter’s sight. Then Peter came to himself and said aloud, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent his angel to rescue me from the power of Herod and from all that the Jewish people are expecting.” As the truth broke upon him he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John surnamed Mark where many were gathered together in prayer. As he knocked at the door a young maid called Rhoda came to answer it, but on recognising Peter’s voice failed to open the door from sheer joy. Instead she ran inside and reported that Peter was standing on the doorstep. At this they said to her, “You must be mad!”

15b But she insisted that it was true. Then they said, “Then it is his angel.”

16-17 But Peter continued to stand there knocking on the door, and when they opened it and recognised him they were simply amazed. Peter, however, made a gesture to them to stop talking while he explained to them how the Lord had brought him out of prison. Then he said, “Go and tell James and the other brothers what has happened.” After this he left them and went on to another place.

Peter’s escape infuriates Herod

18-19 But when morning came there was a great commotion among the soldiers as to what could have happened to Peter. When Herod had had a search put out for him without success, he cross-examined the guards and then ordered their execution. Then he left Judea and went down to Caesarea and stayed there.

But Herod dies a terrible death

20-23 Now Herod was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. They approached him in a body and after winning over Blastus the king (Herod)’s chamberlain, they begged him for peace. They were forced to do this because their country’s food supply was dependent on the king’s dominions. So on an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat on the public throne and made a speech to them. At this people kept shouting, “This is a god speaking, not a mere man!” Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down because he did not give God the glory. And in fearful agony he died.

The message continues to spread

24-25 But the Word of the Lord continued to gain ground and increase its influence. Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had completed their mission there, bringing with them John whose surname was Mark.

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Acts 12 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

12 And about that time, Herod the king put forth his hands, to do evil to certain of those of the assembly, 2 and he killed James, the brother of John, with the sword, 3 and having seen that it is pleasing to the Jews, he added to lay hold of Peter also -- and they were the days of the unleavened fo...
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Acts 12 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

12 And in the same time Herod the king sent power, to torment some men of the church.[a] 2 And he slew by sword James, the brother of John. 3 And he saw that it pleased to the Jews, and cast to take also Peter; and the days of therf loaves were. 4 And when he had caught Peter, he sent him into pri...
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Acts 12 - Worldwide English (New Testament) (WE)

12 ) At that time Herod the king caught some of the church people and troubled them. 2 He killed James the brother of John with a long knife or sword. 3 He saw that this pleased the leaders of the Jews, so he caught Peter also. This happened at the Jewish feast which they had each year to remember l...
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Acts 12 - World English Bible (WEB)

12 Now about that time, King Herod stretched out his hands to oppress some of the assembly. 2 He killed James, the brother of John, with the sword. 3 When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This was during the days of unleavened bread. 4 When he had arrested him, h...
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Acts 12 - The Voice (VOICE)

12 Back in Jerusalem, hard times came to the disciples. King Herod violently seized some who belonged to the church with the intention of mistreating them. 2 He ordered James (brother of John) to be executed by the sword, the first of those appointed as emissaries to be martyred. 3 This move pleas...
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Acts 12 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Persecution and Deliverance12 Now at that time Herod the king seized some from Messiah’s community to do them harm. 2 He had Jacob, John’s brother, put to death with the sword. 3 Seeing it pleased the Judean leaders, he proceeded to capture Peter as well. This was during the Days of Matzah. 4 Aft...
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Acts 12 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

James Killed and Peter Imprisoned12 About that time Herod the king laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the church.[a] 2 He killed James the brother of John with the sword; 3 and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened...
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Acts 12 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

James Killed and Peter Imprisoned12 About that time Herod the king laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the church. 2 He killed James the brother of John with the sword; 3 and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Br...
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Acts 12 - Revised Geneva Translation (RGT)

12 Now about that time, Herod the King stretched forth his hand to afflict some of the church, 2 And he killed James, the brother of John, with the sword. 3 And when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further, to take Peter also (during the Days of Unleavened Bread.) 4 And when he had cau...
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Acts 12 - New Testament for Everyone (NTE)

Herod Kills James12 Around that time, King Herod began to use violence towards some people in the church. 2 He killed James the brother of John with the sword. 3 When he saw that it pleased the Judaeans, he proceeded to arrest Peter, too. (This was around the time of the Festival of Unleavened Bre...
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Acts 12 - New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

James Killed and Peter Imprisoned12 About that time King Herod laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the church. 2 He had James, the brother of John, killed with the sword. 3 After he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. (This was during the festival of Unleavene...
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Acts 12 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

James Killed and Peter Imprisoned12 About that time King Herod laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the church. 2 He had James, the brother of John, killed with the sword. 3 After he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. (This was during the festival of Unleavene...
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Acts 12 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

James Killed and Peter Imprisoned12 About that time King Herod laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the church. 2 He had James, the brother of John, killed with the sword.(A)3 After he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. (This was during the Festival of Unleavene...
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Acts 12 - New Matthew Bible (NMB)

Herod persecutes the Christians, kills James the brother of John, and puts Peter in prison, whom the Lord delivers by an angel. The shameful death of Herod. 12 In that time, Herod the king stretched forth his hand to persecute some of the congregation. 2 And he killed James, the brother of John, wi...
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Acts 12 - New Living Translation (NLT)

James Is Killed and Peter Is Imprisoned12 About that time King Herod Agrippa[a] began to persecute some believers in the church. 2 He had the apostle James (John’s brother) killed with a sword. 3 When Herod saw how much this pleased the Jewish people, he also arrested Peter. (This took place during ...
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Acts 12 - New Life Version (NLV)

The King Makes It Hard for the Church12 At that time King Herod used his power to make it hard for the Christians in the church. 2 He killed James, the brother of John, with a sword. 3 When he saw that it made the Jews happy, he took hold of Peter also. This was during the special religious gather...
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Acts 12 - New King James Version (NKJV)

Herod’s Violence to the Church12 Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. 2 Then he killed James (A)the brother of John with the sword. 3 And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during (B)the...
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