1About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church.2He killed James the brother of John with the sword, (Mt 4:21; Mt 20:23; Heb 11:37)3and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. (Ex 12:14; Ex 23:15; Ac 20:6; Ac 24:27; Ac 25:9)4And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. (Lu 21:12; Joh 19:23)5So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church. (2Co 1:11; Eph 6:18)
Peter Is Rescued
6Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. (Ac 21:33)7And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. (1Ki 19:7; Lu 2:9; Lu 24:4; Ac 8:26; Ac 16:26)8And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” (Mr 6:9)9And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. (Ps 126:1)10When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. (Ac 5:19; Ac 16:26)11When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.” (Ps 33:18; Ps 34:7; Ps 91:11; Da 3:28; Da 6:22; Lu 15:17; 2Co 1:10)12When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. (Ac 12:5; Ac 12:25; Ac 13:5; Ac 13:13; Ac 15:37; Ac 15:39; Col 4:10; 2Ti 4:11; Phm 1:24; 1Pe 5:13)13And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. (Joh 18:16)14Recognizing Peter’s voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. (Ge 45:26; Lu 24:41)15They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!” (Mt 18:10; Heb 1:14)16But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed.17But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell these things to James and to the brothers.”[1] Then he departed and went to another place. (Joh 21:23; Ac 13:16; Ac 15:13; Ac 19:33; Ac 21:18; Ac 21:40; Ga 1:19; Ga 2:9; Ga 2:12)18Now when day came, there was no little disturbance among the soldiers over what had become of Peter.19And after Herod searched for him and did not find him, he examined the sentries and ordered that they should be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and spent time there. (Ac 16:27; Ac 27:42)
The Death of Herod
20Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they came to him with one accord, and having persuaded Blastus, the king’s chamberlain,[2] they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king’s country for food. (1Ki 5:9; Ezr 3:7; Eze 27:17; Mt 28:14)21On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them.22And the people were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!”23Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last. (2Sa 24:16; 2Ki 19:35; Ps 115:1; Ac 8:26)24But the word of God increased and multiplied. (Ac 6:7)25And Barnabas and Saul returned from[3] Jerusalem when they had completed their service, bringing with them John, whose other name was Mark. (Ac 11:29; Ac 12:12)
1It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them.2He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.3When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread.4After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.5So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.6The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance.7Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. ‘Quick, get up!’ he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.8Then the angel said to him, ‘Put on your clothes and sandals.’ And Peter did so. ‘Wrap your cloak round you and follow me,’ the angel told him.9Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision.10They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.11Then Peter came to himself and said, ‘Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen.’12When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying.13Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door.14When she recognised Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed 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.’16But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.17Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. ‘Tell James and the other brothers and sisters about this,’ he said, and then he left for another place.18In the morning, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter.
Herod’s death
19After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him, he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be executed. Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there.20He had been quarrelling with the people of Tyre and Sidon; 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.21On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people.22They shouted, ‘This is the voice of a god, not of a man.’23Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.24But the word of God continued to spread and flourish.
Barnabas and Saul sent off
25When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission, they returned from[1] Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark.
1About this time, King Herod arrested some people who belonged to the church. He planned to make them suffer greatly.2He had James killed with a sword. James was John’s brother.3Herod saw that the death of James pleased some Jews. So he arrested Peter also. This happened during the Feast of Unleavened Bread.4After Herod arrested Peter, he put him in prison. Peter was placed under guard. He was watched by four groups of four soldiers each. Herod planned to put Peter on public trial. It would take place after the Passover Feast.5So Peter was kept in prison. But the church prayed hard to God for him.6It was the night before Herod was going to bring him to trial. Peter was sleeping between two soldiers. Two chains held him there. Lookouts stood guard at the entrance.7Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared. A light shone in the prison cell. The angel struck Peter on his side. Peter woke up. ‘Quick!’ the angel said. ‘Get up!’ The chains fell off Peter’s wrists.8Then the angel said to him, ‘Put on your clothes and sandals.’ Peter did so. ‘Put on your coat,’ the angel told him. ‘Follow me.’9Peter followed him out of the prison. But he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening. He thought he was seeing a vision.10They passed the first and second guards. Then they came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself. They went through it. They walked the length of one street. Suddenly the angel left Peter.11Then Peter realised what had happened. He said, ‘Now I know for sure that the Lord has sent his angel. He set me free from Herod’s power. He saved me from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen.’12When Peter understood what had happened, he went to Mary’s house. Mary was the mother of John Mark. Many people had gathered in her home. They were praying there.13Peter knocked at the outer entrance. A servant named Rhoda came to answer the door.14She recognised Peter’s voice. She was so excited that she ran back without opening the door. ‘Peter is at the door!’ she exclaimed.15‘You’re out of your mind,’ they said to her. But she kept telling them it was true. So they said, ‘It must be his angel.’16Peter kept on knocking. When they opened the door and saw him, they were amazed.17Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet. He explained how the Lord had brought him out of prison. ‘Tell James and the other brothers and sisters about this,’ he said. Then he went to another place.18In the morning the soldiers were bewildered. They couldn’t figure out what had happened to Peter.
Herod dies
19So Herod had them look everywhere for Peter. But they didn’t find him. Then Herod questioned the guards closely. He ordered that they be put to death. Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there.20He had been quarrelling with the people of Tyre and Sidon. So they got together and asked for a meeting with him. This was because they depended on the king’s country to supply them with food. They gained the support of Blastus and then asked for peace. Blastus was a trusted personal servant of the king.21The appointed day came. Herod was seated on his throne. He was wearing his royal robes. He made a speech to the people.22Then they shouted, ‘This is the voice of a god. It’s not the voice of a man.’23Right away an angel of the Lord struck Herod down. Herod had not given praise to God. So he was eaten by worms and died.24But God’s word continued to spread and many people believed the message.
Barnabas and Saul are sent off
25Barnabas and Saul finished their task. Then they returned from Jerusalem. They took John Mark with them.
Acts 12
King James Version
1Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.2And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.3And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)4And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.5Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.6And 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.7And, 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.8And 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.9And 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.10When 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.11And 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.12And 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.13And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.14And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.15And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.16But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.17But 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.18Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.19And 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.20And 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.21And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.22And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.23And 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.24But the word of God grew and multiplied.25And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.
Die Hinrichtung des Jakobus und die Verhaftung des Petrus
1Um jene Zeit ließ der König Herodes einige aus der Gemeinde verhaften und misshandeln.[1]2Jakobus, den Bruder des Johannes, ließ er mit dem Schwert hinrichten.[2] (Mr 1:29)3Als er sah, dass es den Juden gefiel, ließ er auch Petrus festnehmen. Das geschah in den Tagen der Ungesäuerten Brote.4Er nahm ihn also fest und warf ihn ins Gefängnis. Die Bewachung übertrug er vier Abteilungen von je vier Soldaten. Er beabsichtigte, ihn nach dem Paschafest dem Volk vorführen zu lassen.5Petrus wurde also im Gefängnis bewacht. Die Gemeinde aber betete inständig für ihn zu Gott. (Jas 5:16)
Die wunderbare Befreiung des Petrus
6In der Nacht, ehe Herodes ihn vorführen lassen wollte, schlief Petrus, mit zwei Ketten gefesselt, zwischen zwei Soldaten; vor der Tür aber bewachten Posten den Kerker.7Und siehe, ein Engel des Herrn trat hinzu und ein Licht strahlte in dem Raum. Er stieß Petrus in die Seite, weckte ihn und sagte: Schnell, steh auf! Da fielen die Ketten von seinen Händen. (Ac 5:19)8Der Engel aber sagte zu ihm: Gürte dich und zieh deine Sandalen an! Er tat es. Und der Engel sagte zu ihm: Wirf deinen Mantel um und folge mir!9Und Petrus ging hinaus und folgte ihm, ohne zu wissen, dass es Wirklichkeit war, was durch den Engel geschah; es kam ihm vor, als habe er eine Vision.10Sie gingen an der ersten und an der zweiten Wache vorbei und kamen an das eiserne Tor, das in die Stadt führt; es öffnete sich ihnen von selbst. Sie traten hinaus und gingen eine Gasse weit; und sogleich verließ ihn der Engel.11Da kam Petrus zu sich und sagte: Nun weiß ich wahrhaftig, dass der Herr seinen Engel gesandt und mich der Hand des Herodes entrissen hat und alldem, was das Volk der Juden erwartet hat.12Als er sich darüber klar geworden war, ging er zum Haus der Maria, der Mutter des Johannes, mit dem Beinamen Markus, wo nicht wenige versammelt waren und beteten. (Ac 12:25; Ac 13:5; Ac 15:37; Col 4:10; 2Ti 4:11; Phm 1:24; 1Pe 5:13)13Als er am Außentor klopfte, kam eine Magd namens Rhode, um zu hören, wer es sei.14Sie erkannte die Stimme des Petrus, doch vor Freude machte sie das Tor nicht auf, sondern lief hinein und berichtete: Petrus steht vor dem Tor.15Da sagten sie zu ihr: Du bist nicht bei Sinnen. Doch sie bestand darauf, es sei so. Da sagten sie: Es ist sein Engel.16Petrus aber klopfte noch immer. Als sie öffneten und ihn sahen, waren sie fassungslos.17Er gab ihnen mit der Hand ein Zeichen zu schweigen und erzählte ihnen, wie der Herr ihn aus dem Gefängnis herausgeführt hatte. Er sagte: Berichtet das dem Jakobus und den Brüdern! Dann verließ er sie und ging an einen anderen Ort.[3]18Als es Tag wurde, herrschte bei den Soldaten keine geringe Aufregung darüber, was wohl mit Petrus geschehen sei. (Ac 5:22)
Der Tod des Herodes Agrippa
19Herodes aber ließ ihn suchen, und da man ihn nicht fand, verhörte er die Wachen und befahl, sie abzuführen. Dann zog Herodes von Judäa nach Cäsarea hinab und blieb dort.20Er war über die Bewohner von Tyrus und Sidon sehr aufgebracht. Sie kamen gemeinsam zu ihm, gewannen Blastus, den Kämmerer des Königs, für sich und baten um Frieden, weil sie ihre Nahrung aus dem Land des Königs bezogen.21Am festgesetzten Tag nahm Herodes im Königsgewand auf der Tribüne Platz und hielt vor ihnen eine feierliche Ansprache.22Das Volk aber schrie: Die Stimme eines Gottes, nicht eines Menschen!23Im selben Augenblick schlug ihn ein Engel des Herrn, weil er nicht Gott die Ehre gegeben hatte. Und von Würmern zerfressen, starb er.24Das Wort Gottes aber wuchs und breitete sich aus. (Ac 6:7; Ac 19:20)
DIE KIRCHE UNTER DEN VÖLKERN
Die Aussendung des Barnabas und des Saulus
25Nachdem Barnabas und Saulus in Jerusalem den Dienst erfüllt hatten, kehrten sie zurück; Johannes, mit dem Beinamen Markus, nahmen sie mit. (Ac 12:12)