18. In the morning the soldiers were bewildered. They couldn't figure out what had happened to Peter.
19. So Herod had them look everywhere for Peter. But they didn't find him. Then Herod questioned the guards closely. He ordered that they be put to death. Herod went from Judea to Caesarea. He stayed there awhile.
20. He had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon. So they got together and asked for a meeting with him. This was because they depended on the king's country to supply them with food. They gained the support of Blastus and asked for peace. Blastus was a trusted personal servant of the king.
21. The appointed day came. Herod was seated on his throne. He was wearing his royal robes. He made a speech to the people.
22. Then they shouted, "This is the voice of a god. It's not the voice of a man."
23. Right away an angel of the Lord struck Herod down. Herod had not given praise to God. So he was eaten by worms and died.
24. But God's word continued to increase and spread.