Acts 12 - New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Peter’s Arrest and Deliverance

12 Now about that time [a]Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church, to do them harm. 2 And he (A)had James the brother of John (B)executed with a sword. 3 When he saw that it (C)pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter as well. (Now these were [b](D)the days of Unleavened Bread.) 4 When he had arrested him, he put him in prison, turning him over to four [c](E)squads of soldiers to guard him, intending only after (F)the Passover to bring him before the people. 5 So Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer for him was being made to God [d]intensely by the church.

6 On [e]the very night when Herod was about to bring him forward, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, (G)bound with two chains, and guards in front of the door were watching over the prison. 7 And behold, (H)an angel of the Lord suddenly (I)stood near Peter, and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter’s side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And (J)his chains fell off his hands. 8 And the angel said to him, “Put on your belt and [f]strap on your sandals.” And he did so. And he *said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” 9 And he went out and continued to follow, and yet he did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing (K)a vision. 10 Now when they had passed the first and second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which (L)opened for them by itself; and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. 11 When Peter (M)came [g]to himself, he said, “Now I know for sure that (N)the Lord has sent forth His angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all [h]that the Jewish people were expecting.” 12 And when he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of (O)John, who was also called Mark, where many were gathered together and (P)were praying. 13 When he knocked at the door of the gate, (Q)a slave woman named Rhoda came to answer. 14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, (R)because of her joy she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter was standing in front of the gate. 15 They said to her, “You are out of your mind!” But she kept insisting that it was so. They said, “It is (S)his angel.” 16 But Peter continued knocking; and when they had opened the door, they saw him and were amazed. 17 But (T)motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had led him out of the prison. And he said, “Report these things to [i](U)James and (V)the brothers.” Then he left and went to another place.

18 Now when day came, there was no small disturbance among the soldiers as to [j]what could have become of Peter. 19 When Herod had searched for him and had not found him, he examined the guards and ordered that they (W)be led away to execution. Then he went down from Judea to (X)Caesarea and was spending time there.

Death of Herod

20 Now he was very angry with the people of (Y)Tyre and Sidon; and with one mind they came to him, and having won over Blastus the king’s chamberlain, they were asking for peace, because (Z)their country was supported with grain from the king’s country. 21 On an appointed day, after putting on his royal apparel, Herod took his seat on the [k]rostrum and began delivering an address to them. 22 The people repeatedly cried out, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” 23 And immediately (AA)an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and [l]died.

24 But (AB)the word of the Lord continued to grow and to be multiplied.

25 And (AC)Barnabas and (AD)Saul returned (AE)when they had fulfilled their [m]mission to Jerusalem, taking along with them (AF)John, who was also called Mark.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 12:1 I.e., Herod Agrippa I
  2. Acts 12:3 I.e., Passover week
  3. Acts 12:4 Lit quaternions; a quaternion was composed of four soldiers
  4. Acts 12:5 Or constantly
  5. Acts 12:6 Lit that night
  6. Acts 12:8 Lit bind
  7. Acts 12:11 Lit in himself
  8. Acts 12:11 Lit the expectation of the people of the Jews
  9. Acts 12:17 Or Jacob
  10. Acts 12:18 Lit what therefore had become
  11. Acts 12:21 Or judgment seat
  12. Acts 12:23 Lit expired
  13. Acts 12:25 Lit ministry

Cross references

  1. Acts 12:2 : Matt 4:21; 20:23
  2. Acts 12:2 : Mark 10:39
  3. Acts 12:3 : Acts 24:27; 25:9
  4. Acts 12:3 : Ex 12:15; 23:15; Acts 20:6
  5. Acts 12:4 : John 19:23
  6. Acts 12:4 : Ex 12:1-27; Mark 14:1; Acts 12:3
  7. Acts 12:6 : Acts 21:33
  8. Acts 12:7 : Acts 5:19
  9. Acts 12:7 : Luke 2:9; 24:4
  10. Acts 12:7 : Acts 16:26
  11. Acts 12:9 : Acts 9:10
  12. Acts 12:10 : Acts 5:19; 16:26
  13. Acts 12:11 : Luke 15:17
  14. Acts 12:11 : Dan 3:28; 6:22
  15. Acts 12:12 : Acts 12:25; 13:5, 13; 15:37, 39; Col 4:10; 2 Tim 4:11; Philem 24; 1 Pet 5:13
  16. Acts 12:12 : Acts 12:5
  17. Acts 12:13 : John 18:16f
  18. Acts 12:14 : Luke 24:41
  19. Acts 12:15 : Matt 18:10
  20. Acts 12:17 : Acts 13:16; 19:33; 21:40
  21. Acts 12:17 : Mark 6:3; Acts 15:13; 21:18; 1 Cor 15:7; Gal 1:19; 2:9, 12
  22. Acts 12:17 : Acts 1:15
  23. Acts 12:19 : Acts 16:27; 27:42
  24. Acts 12:19 : Acts 8:40
  25. Acts 12:20 : Matt 11:21
  26. Acts 12:20 : 1 Kin 5:11; Ezra 3:7; Ezek 27:17
  27. Acts 12:23 : 2 Sam 24:16; 2 Kin 19:35; Acts 5:19
  28. Acts 12:24 : Acts 6:7; 19:20
  29. Acts 12:25 : Acts 4:36; 13:1ff
  30. Acts 12:25 : Acts 4:36; 13:1ff
  31. Acts 12:25 : Acts 11:30
  32. Acts 12:25 : Acts 12:12

You Might Also Like:

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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 ...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More