Peter freed from prison

What the Bible says

Acts 12:1-17

¹And at the same time, Herod the king stretched forth his hands, to afflict some of the church. ²And he killed James, the brother of John, with the sword. ³And seeing that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to take up Peter also. Now it was in the days of the Azymes. ⁴And when he had apprehended him, he cast him into prison, delivering him to four files of soldiers to be kept, intending, after the pasch, to bring him forth to the people. ⁵Peter therefore was kept in prison. But prayer was made without ceasing by 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 an angel of the Lord stood by him: and a light shined in the room: and he striking Peter on the side, raised him up, saying: Arise quickly. And the chains fell off from his hands. ⁸And the angel said to him: Gird thyself, and put on thy sandals. And he did so. And he said to him: Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. ⁹And going out, he followed him, and he knew not that it was true which was done by the angel: but thought he saw a vision. ¹⁰And passing through the first and the second ward, they came to the iron gate that leadeth to the city, which of itself opened to them. And going out, they passed on through one street: and immediately the angel departed from him. ¹¹And Peter coming to himself, said: Now I know in very deed, 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 considering, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, who was surnamed Mark, where many were gathered together and praying. ¹³And when he knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, whose name was Rhode. ¹⁴And as soon as she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for joy, but running in she told that Peter stood before the gate. ¹⁵But they said to her: Thou art mad. But she affirmed that it was so. Then said they: It is his angel. ¹⁶But Peter continued knocking. And when they had opened, they saw him, and were astonished. ¹⁷But he beckoning to them with his hand to hold their peace, told how the Lord had brought him out of prison, and he said: Tell these things to James, and to the brethren. And going out, he went into another place.

Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.