Barnabas and Saul at Antioch

19 oNow those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. 20 But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to pthe Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And qthe hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and rturned to the Lord.

22 Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out sBarnabas to go as far as Antioch. 23 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and tencouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. 24 For he was a good man, ufull of the Holy Spirit and of faith. vAnd a great many people were added to the Lord.

25 Then Barnabas departed for wTarsus to seek Saul. 26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

Relief to Judea

27 And in these days xprophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 Then one of them, named yAgabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of zClaudius Caesar. 29 Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send arelief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. 30 bThis they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

Herod’s Violence to the Church

12 Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. 2 Then he killed James athe brother of John with the sword. 3 And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during bthe Days of Unleavened Bread. 4 So cwhen he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four 1squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover.

Peter Freed from Prison

5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but 2constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. 6 And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were 3keeping the prison. 7 Now behold, dan angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands. 8 Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.” 9 So he went out and followed him, and edid not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought fhe was seeing a vision. 10 When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, gwhich opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.

11 And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that hthe Lord has sent His angel, and ihas delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.”

12 So, when he had considered this, jhe came to the house of Mary, the mother of kJohn whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together lpraying. 13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her gladness she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter stood before the gate. 15 But they said to her, “You are beside yourself!” Yet she kept insisting that it was so. So they said, m“It is his angel.”

16 Now Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. 17 But nmotioning to them with his hand to keep silent, he declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Go, tell these things to James and to the brethren.” And he departed and went to another place.

18 Then, as soon as it was day, there was no small 4stir among the soldiers about what had become of Peter. 19 But when Herod had searched for him and not found him, he examined the guards and commanded that they should be put to death.

And he went down from Judea to Caesarea, and stayed there.

Herod’s Violent Death

20 Now Herod had been very angry with the people of oTyre and Sidon; but they came to him with one accord, and having made Blastus 5the king’s personal aide their friend, they asked for peace, because ptheir country was 6supplied with food by the king’s country.

21 So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. 22 And the people kept shouting, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” 23 Then immediately an angel of the Lord qstruck him, because rhe did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and 7died.

24 But sthe word of God grew and multiplied.