Acts 12:16-25

New International Version

¹⁶ But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. ¹⁷ Peter motioned with his hand^(A) for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. “Tell James^(B) and the other brothers and sisters^(C) about this,” he said, and then he left for another place.

¹⁸ In the morning, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter. ¹⁹ After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him, he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be executed.^(D)

Herod’s Death

Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea^(E) and stayed there. ²⁰ He had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon;^(F) 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.^(G)

²¹ On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. ²² They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” ²³ Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel^(H) of the Lord struck him down,^(I) and he was eaten by worms and died.

²⁴ But the word of God^(J) continued to spread and flourish.^(K)

Barnabas and Saul Sent Off

²⁵ When Barnabas^(L) and Saul had finished their mission,^(M) they returned from^[a] Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark.^(N)