Peter Is Rescued

Acts 12

6 Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, m bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. 7 And behold, n an angel of the Lord o stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. p He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, "Get up quickly." And q the chains fell off his hands. 8 And the angel said to him, "Dress yourself and r put 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 followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but s thought he was seeing a vision. 10 When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. t It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. 11 When Peter u came to himself, he said, "Now I am sure that v the Lord has sent his angel and w rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting."

12 When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of x John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and y were praying. 13 And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, z a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14 Recognizing Peter's voice, a in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. 15 They said to her, "You are out of your mind." But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, "It is b his angel!" 16 But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. 17 But c 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 d James and to e the brothers." 1 Then he departed and went to another place.

18 Now when day came, there was no little disturbance among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. 19 And after Herod searched for him and did not find him, he examined the sentries and f ordered that they should be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and spent time there.

  1. Cross References
    Acts 21:33
    Then the tribune came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. He inquired who he was and what he had done.
  2. Cross References
    Acts 8:26
    Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." This is a desert place.
  3. Cross References
    Luke 2:9
    And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear.
    Luke 24:4
    While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel.
  4. Cross References
    1 Kings 19:7
    And the angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, "Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.
  5. Cross References
    Acts 16:26
    And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened.
  6. Cross References
    Mark 6:9
    But to wear sandals and not put on two tunics.
  7. Cross References
    Psalms 126:1
    When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.
  8. Cross References
    Acts 5:19
    But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said.
    Acts 16:26
    And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened.
  9. Cross References
    Luke 15:17
    But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger!
  10. Cross References
    Psalms 34:7
    The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
    Psalms 91:11
    For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.
    Daniel 3:28
    Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king's command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God.
    Daniel 6:22
    My God sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.
  11. Cross References
    Psalms 33:18 - 19
    Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love.
    2 Corinthians 1:10
    He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.
  12. Cross References
    Acts 12:25
    And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem w...
    Acts 13:5
    When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed t...
    Acts 13:13
    Now Paul and his companions set sail from Papho...
    Acts 15:37
    Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John call...
    Acts 15:39
    And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that t...
    Colossians 4:10
    Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and ...
    2 Timothy 4:11
    Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him w...
    Philemon 1:24
    And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, m...
    1 Peter 5:13
    She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, ...
  13. Cross References
    Acts 12:5
    So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.
  14. Cross References
    John 18:16 - 17
    But Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in.
  15. Cross References
    Luke 24:41
    And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?
    Genesis 45:26
    And they told him, "Joseph is still alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt." And his heart became numb, for he did not believe them.
  16. Cross References
    Matthew 18:10
    See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.
    Hebrews 1:14
    Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?
  17. Cross References
    Acts 13:16
    So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said: "Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen.
    Acts 19:33
    Some of the crowd prompted Alexander, whom the Jews had put forward. And Alexander, motioning with his hand, wanted to make a defense to the crowd.
    Acts 21:40
    And when he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the steps, motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great hush, he addressed them in the Hebrew language, saying:
  18. Cross References
    Acts 15:13
    After they finished speaking, James replied, "Brothers, listen to me.
    Acts 21:18
    On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.
    Galatians 1:19
    But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord's brother.
    Galatians 2:9
    And when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.
    Galatians 2:12
    For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party.
  19. Cross References
    John 21:23
    So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?
  20. Cross References
    Acts 16:27
    When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped.
    Acts 27:42
    The soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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