DONNIE DAILY GEMS FOR SUNDAY DECEMBER 12
DAILY BIBLE READING
Peter
Acts 12:1-19 Easy-to-Read Version
More Trouble for the Believers
1 During this same time, King Herod began to do harm to some of those who
were part of the church. 2 He ordered James, the brother of John, to be
killed with a sword. 3 Herod saw that many of the Jews liked this, so he
decided to arrest Peter too. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened
Bread. 4 He arrested Peter and put him in jail, where he was guarded by a
group of 16 soldiers. Herod planned to bring Peter before the people, but he
wanted to wait until after the Passover festival. 5 So Peter was kept in
jail, but the church was constantly praying to God for him.
Peter Is Led Out of the Jail
6 One night, Peter, bound with two chains, was sleeping between two of the
soldiers. More soldiers were guarding the door of the jail. Herod was
planning to bring Peter out before the people the next day. 7 Suddenly an
angel of the Lord was standing there, and the room was filled with light.
The angel tapped Peter on the side and woke him up. The angel said, "Hurry,
get up!" The chains fell off Peter's hands. 8 The angel said, "Get dressed
and put on your sandals." Peter did as he was told. Then the angel said,
"Put on your coat and follow me."
9 So the angel went out and Peter followed. He did not know if the angel was
really doing this. He thought he might be seeing a vision. 10 Peter and the
angel went past the first guard and the second guard. Then they came to the
iron gate that separated them from the city. The gate opened for them by
itself. After they went through the gate and walked about a block, the angel
suddenly left.
11 Peter realized then what had happened. He thought, "Now I know that the
Lord really sent his angel to me. He rescued me from Herod and from
everything those Jews thought would happen to me."
12 When Peter realized this, he went to the home of Mary, the mother of
John, who was also called Mark. Many people were gathered there and were
praying. 13 Peter knocked on the outside door. A servant girl named Rhoda
came to answer it. 14 She recognized Peter's voice, and she was very happy.
She even forgot to open the door. She ran inside and told the group, "Peter
is at the door!" 15 The believers said to her, "You are crazy!" But she
continued to say that it was true. So they said, "It must be Peter's angel."
16 But Peter continued to knock. When the believers opened the door, they
saw him. They were amazed. 17 Peter made a sign with his hand to tell them
to be quiet. He explained to them how the Lord led him out of the jail. He
said, "Tell James and the other brothers what happened." Then he left and
went to another place.
18 The next day the soldiers were very upset. They wondered what happened to
Peter. 19 Herod looked everywhere for him but could not find him. So he
questioned the guards and then ordered that they be killed.
