1 NOW about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. [ In an effort to stop this Christian growth. Christianity was a big threat to Jewish tradition. So the Jewish leaders, the High priests needed to stop it. ]

2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.

3 And because he [ Herod the king/ ] saw it pleased the Jews, [ Herod was looking to bank popularity by killing christians, he knew that the Jews loved him for it. ] he proceeded further to take Peter also. [ So Herod puts Peter in prison to even further strengthen his poll numbers. ] (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)

4 And 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.

5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. [ The church was praying for him. ]

6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: [ Peter is bound with chains to a guard on each side of him. ] and the keepers before the door kept the prison.

7 And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he [ The angel. ] smote Peter on the side, [ The angel smacks Peter of the side hard enough to get him to wake up. ] and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. [ Then the angel tells him to hurry and get up. ] And his chains fell off from his hands.

8 And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, [ Throw on your cloak and robe. ] and bind on thy sandals. [ Put on your shoes - we are getting out of here. ] And so he did. [ Peter does what he is told. ] And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. [ Then the angel says follow me Peter. ]

9 And 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. [ Peter was so amazed at how they just walked out of the prison that Peter thought that he was just dreaming. ]

10 When 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. [ When he is far enough away the angel just leaves Peter. ]

11 And 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.

12 And 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.

13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, [ Hebrew "Shema" is translated here as hearken which means to "listen" and "obey". ] , named Rhoda.

14 And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.

15 And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.

16 But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.

17 But 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.

18 Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.

19 And 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.

20 ¶ And 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.

21 And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.

22 And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.

23 And 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.

24 ¶ But the word of God grew and multiplied. [ This is the beginning of Daniels dream of a stone cut out of the mountain and rolling forth with no hands. Jesus never taught outside of the Jerusalem area, he only taught directly to the Jews. Why? Because the law of Moses was set up to prepare the people for his coming so he spoke directly to fulfill the law and the prophecies that were about him. These were given anciently to the Jews - those who were to be the first. ]

25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.