Peter is freed while the praying house struggles to believe

An angel walks Peter out, a maid knows his voice, and the guards are executed

When Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter is sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and the keepers before the door keep the prison. An angel of the Lord comes upon him, a light shines in the prison, and he smites Peter on the side and raises him up, saying, Arise up quickly. Chains fall off. The angel tells him to gird himself, bind on his sandals, cast his garment about him, and follow. Peter thinks he sees a vision until they are past the first and second ward, come unto the iron gate that leads into the city, which opens of its own accord, and pass through one street. Then the angel departs. Peter, come to himself, says the Lord has sent his angel and delivered him from Herod and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews. He goes to the house of Mary the mother of John whose surname is Mark, where many are gathered together praying. He knocks. A damsel named Rhoda comes to hearken, knows Peter's voice, and for gladness does not open the gate, but runs in and tells that Peter stands before the gate. They say she is mad. She constantly affirms it. They say, It is his angel. Peter continues knocking. When they open and see him, they are astonished. He beckons them to hold their peace, declares how the Lord brought him out, tells them to go shew these things unto James and to the brethren, and departs to another place. As soon as it is day, there is no small stir among the soldiers. Herod seeks, examines the keepers, and commands that they should be put to death. He goes down from Judaea to Caesarea and there abides.

Comic disbelief at a praying house coexists with lethal consequences for guards under a client king. Idioms about Peter's angel, and manuscript details around the scene, invite caution rather than a doctrine of doubles. Deliverance here is particular. It does not baptize imprisonment, promise every prisoner an angel, or oppose medical or legal care for people still in custody.