Acts 12
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Herod the king - This was Herod Agrippa, the son of Aristobulus, and grandson of Herod the Great; he was nephew to Herod Antipas, who beheaded John they Baptist, and brother to Herodias. He was made king by the Emperor Caligula, and was put in possession of all the territories formerly held by his uncle Philip and by Lysanias; viz. Iturea, Trachonitis, Abilene, with Gaulonitis, Batanaea, and Penias. To these the Emperor Claudius afterwards added Judea and Samaria; which were nearly all the dominions possessed by his grandfather, Herod the Great. See Luk 3:1; see also an account of the Herod family, in the note on Mat 2:1 (note). To vex certain of the Church - That is, to destroy its chief ornaments and supports.
Open source ↗PERSECUTION OF THE CHURCH BY HEROD AGRIPPA I--MARTYRDOM OF JAMES AND MIRACULOUS DELIVERANCE OF PETER. (Acts 12:1-19) Herod the king--grandson of Herod the Great, and son of Aristobulus. He at this time ruled over all his father's dominions. PALEY has remarked the accuracy of the historian here. For thirty years before this there was no king at Jerusalem exercising supreme authority over Judea, nor was there ever afterwards, save during the three last years of Herod's life, within which the transactions occurred.
Open source ↗Now about that time,.... That the famine was in Judea, and Saul and Barnabas were sent thither with what the church at Antioch had collected. Herod the king; not Herod the great that slew the infants at Bethlehem, nor Herod Antipas that beheaded John, but Herod Agrippa; and so the Syriac version adds here, "who is surnamed Agrippa"; he was a grandson of Herod the great, and the son of Aristobulus: this prince stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church; Beza's ancient copy adds, "in Judea": it seems to be the church at Jerusalem; perhaps some of the principal members of them; and so the Ethiopic version renders it, the rulers of the house of God. It is scarcely credible that he should lay hands on any of them himself in person; but it is very likely he encouraged his soldiers, or his servants, to abuse them, reproach them, strike and buffet them, as they met with them in the streets; or when at worship, might disturb them, and break them up.
Open source ↗Ever since the conversion of Paul, we have heard no more of the agency of the priests in persecuting the saints at Jerusalem; perhaps that wonderful change wrought upon him, and the disappointment it gave to their design upon the Christians at Damascus, had somewhat mollified them, and brought them under the check of Gamaliel's advice - to let those men alone, and see what would be the issue; but here the storm arises from another point. The civil power, not now, as usual (for aught that appears) stirred up by the ecclesiastics, acts by itself in the persecution. But Herod, though originally of an Edomite family, yet seems to have been a proselyte to the Jewish religion; for Josephus says he was zealous for the Mosaic rites, a bigot for the ceremonies. He was not only (as Herod Antipas was) tetrarch of Galilee, but had also the government of Judea committed to him by Claudius the emperor, and resided most at Jerusalem, where he was at this time. Three things we are here told he did - I. He stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church, Act 12:1. His stretching forth his hands to it intimates that his hands had been tied up by the restraints which perhaps his own conscience held him under in this matter; but now he broke through them, and stretched forth his hands deliberately, and of malice prepense. Herod laid hands upon some of the church to afflict them, so some read it; he employed his officers to seize them, and take them into custody, in order to their being prosecuted. See how he advances gradually. 1. He began with some of the members of the church, certain of them that were of less note and figure; played first at small game, but afterwards flew at the apostles themselves. His spite was at the church, and, with regard to those he gave trouble to, it wa…
Open source ↗12:1-5 Jesus had clearly predicted persecution and hardship for his followers (Luke 11:49-51). For the first time since Jesus’ death, Roman authorities took direct violent action against the church. James, the brother of John, was one of the first called to be a disciple (Mark 1:16-20; Luke 5:1-11), and he was one of the first Christians to be martyred for his faith. • King Herod Agrippa attacked the church (cp. Acts 12:20-23), a move that he found to be politically helpful with the Jewish people. The letter of James, the brother of Jesus, was probably written after this persecution to the scattered Christians (see 8:1-4; James Book Introduction, “Date of Writing”).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. κατά (katá, G2596) — (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case… ἐκεῖνος (ekeînos, G1565) — that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed καιρός (kairós, G2540) — an occasion, i.e. set or proper time Ἡρώδης (Hērṓdēs, G2264) — heroic; Herod, the name of four Jewish kings βασιλεύς (basileús, G935) — a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively) ἐπιβάλλω (epibállō, G1911) — to throw upon (literal or figurative, transitive or reflexive; usually with more or less… χείρ (cheír, G5495) — the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by Hebraism) a means or… κακόω (kakóō, G2559) — to injure; figuratively, to exasperate τὶς (tìs, G5100) — some or any person or object ἀπό (apó, G575) — "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation;… ἐκκλησία (ekklēsía, G1577) — a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation…
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ἀναιρέω (anairéō, G337) — to take up, i.e. adopt; by implication, to take away (violently), i.e. abolish, murder Ἰάκωβος (Iákōbos, G2385) — Jacobus, the name of three Israelites ἀδελφός (adelphós, G80) — a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like G1 (Α)) Ἰωάννης (Iōánnēs, G2491) — Joannes (i.e. Jochanan), the name of four Israelites μάχαιρα (máchaira, G3162) — a knife, i.e. dirk; figuratively, war, judicial punishment
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are ἀρεστός (arestós, G701) — agreeable; by implication, fit Ἰουδαῖος (Ioudaîos, G2453) — Judæan, i.e. belonging to Jehudah προστίθημι (prostíthēmi, G4369) — to place additionally, i.e. lay beside, annex, repeat συλλαμβάνω (syllambánō, G4815) — to clasp, i.e. seize (arrest, capture); specially, to conceive (literally or… Πέτρος (Pétros, G4074) — a (piece of) rock (larger than G3037 (λίθος)); as a name, Petrus, an apostle δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ἦν (ēn, G2258) — I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were) ἡμέρα (hēméra, G2250) — day, i.e. (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but… ἄζυμος (ázymos, G106) — unleavened, i.e. (figuratively) uncorrupted; (in the neutral plural) specially (by…
Open source ↗ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… πιάζω (piázō, G4084) — to squeeze, i.e. seize (gently by the hand (press), or officially (arrest), or in hunting… τίθημι (títhēmi, G5087) — to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a passive… εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… φυλακή (phylakḗ, G5438) — a guarding or (concretely, guard), the act, the person; figuratively, the place, the… παραδίδωμι (paradídōmi, G3860) — to surrender, i.e yield up, intrust, transmit τέσσαρες (téssares, G5064) — four τετράδιον (tetrádion, G5069) — from G5064 (τέσσαρες)); a quaternion or squad (picket) of four Roman soldiers στρατιώτης (stratiṓtēs, G4757) — a camper-out, i.e. a (common) warrior (literally or figuratively) φυλάσσω (phylássō, G5442) — to watch, i.e. be on guard (literally of figuratively); by implication, to preserve,… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… βούλομαι (boúlomai, G1014) — to "will," i.e. (reflexively) be willing μετά (metá, G3326) — properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according…
Open source ↗Πέτρος (Pétros, G4074) — a (piece of) rock (larger than G3037 (λίθος)); as a name, Petrus, an apostle μέν (mén, G3303) — properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a… οὖν (oûn, G3767) — (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly τηρέω (tēréō, G5083) — perhaps akin to G2334 (θεωρέω)); to guard (from loss or injury, properly, by keeping the… ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. φυλακή (phylakḗ, G5438) — a guarding or (concretely, guard), the act, the person; figuratively, the place, the… δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. προσευχή (proseuchḗ, G4335) — prayer (worship); by implication, an oratory (chapel) ἦν (ēn, G2258) — I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were) γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… ἐκτενής (ektenḗs, G1618) — intent ὑπό (hypó, G5259) — under, i.e. (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or… ἐκκλησία (ekklēsía, G1577) — a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation… πρός (prós, G4314) — a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of,…
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ὅτε (hóte, G3753) — at which (thing) too, i.e. when Ἡρώδης (Hērṓdēs, G2264) — heroic; Herod, the name of four Jewish kings μέλλω (méllō, G3195) — to intend, i.e. be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially… προάγω (proágō, G4254) — to lead forward (magisterially); intransitively, to precede (in place or time… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἐκεῖνος (ekeînos, G1565) — that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed νύξ (nýx, G3571) — "night" (literally or figuratively) Πέτρος (Pétros, G4074) — a (piece of) rock (larger than G3037 (λίθος)); as a name, Petrus, an apostle ἦν (ēn, G2258) — I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were) κοιμάω (koimáō, G2837) — to put to sleep, i.e. (passively or reflexively) to slumber; figuratively, to decease μεταξύ (metaxý, G3342) — betwixt (of place or person); (of time) as adjective, intervening, or (by implication)… δύο (dýo, G1417) — "two" στρατιώτης (stratiṓtēs, G4757) — a camper-out, i.e. a (common) warrior (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἰδού (idoú, G2400) — used as imperative lo!; ἄγγελος (ángelos, G32) — compare G34 (ἀγέλη)) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by… κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful… ἐφίστημι (ephístēmi, G2186) — to stand upon, i.e. be present (in various applications, friendly or otherwise, usually… φῶς (phōs, G5457) — compare G5316 (φαίνω), G5346 (φημί)); luminousness (in the widest application, natural or… λάμπω (lámpō, G2989) — to beam, i.e. radiate brilliancy (literally or figuratively) ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. οἴκημα (oíkēma, G3612) — a tenement, i.e. (specially), a jail δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. πατάσσω (patássō, G3960) — to knock (gently or with a weapon or fatally) Πέτρος (Pétros, G4074) — a (piece of) rock (larger than G3037 (λίθος)); as a name, Petrus, an apostle πλευρά (pleurá, G4125) — a rib, i.e. (by extension) side ἐγείρω (egeírō, G1453) — to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e. rouse (literally, from sleep, from…
Open source ↗τέ (té, G5037) — both or also (properly, as correlation of G2532 (καί)) ἄγγελος (ángelos, G32) — compare G34 (ἀγέλη)) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by… ἔπω (épō, G2036) — to speak or say (by word or writing) πρός (prós, G4314) — a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of,… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… περιζώννυμι (perizṓnnymi, G4024) — to gird all around, i.e. (middle voice or passive) to fasten on one's belt (literally or… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ὑποδέω (hypodéō, G5265) — to bind under one's feet, i.e. put on shoes or sandals σοῦ (soû, G4675) — of thee, thy σανδάλιον (sandálion, G4547) — of uncertain origin); a slipper or sole-pad δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. οὕτω (hoútō, G3779) — in this way (referring to what precedes or follows) ποιέω (poiéō, G4160) — to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct) λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or…
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἐξέρχομαι (exérchomai, G1831) — to issue (literally or figuratively) ἀκολουθέω (akolouthéō, G190) — properly, to be in the same way with, i.e. to accompany (specially, as a disciple) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are ἀληθής (alēthḗs, G227) — true (as not concealing) ὁ (ho, G3588) — the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom) γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) ἄγγελος (ángelos, G32) — compare G34 (ἀγέλη)) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by… δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc.
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. διέρχομαι (diérchomai, G1330) — to traverse (literally) πρῶτος (prōtos, G4413) — foremost (in time, place, order or importance) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… δεύτερος (deúteros, G1208) — (ordinal) second (in time, place, or rank; also adverb) φυλακή (phylakḗ, G5438) — a guarding or (concretely, guard), the act, the person; figuratively, the place, the… ἔρχομαι (érchomai, G2064) — to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… σιδήρεος (sidḗreos, G4603) — made of iron πύλη (pýlē, G4439) — a gate, i.e. the leaf or wing of a folding entrance (literally or figuratively) φέρω (phérō, G5342) — to "bear" or carry (in a very wide application, literally and figuratively, as follows) εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… πόλις (pólis, G4172) — a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size) ὅστις (hóstis, G3748) — which some, i.e. any that; also (definite) which same
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… Πέτρος (Pétros, G4074) — a (piece of) rock (larger than G3037 (λίθος)); as a name, Petrus, an apostle γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ἑαυτοῦ (heautoû, G1438) — him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other… ἔπω (épō, G2036) — to speak or say (by word or writing) νῦν (nŷn, G3568) — "now" (as adverb of date, a transition or emphasis); also as noun or adjective present or… εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… ἀληθῶς (alēthōs, G230) — truly ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful… ἐξαποστέλλω (exapostéllō, G1821) — to send away forth, i.e. (on a mission) to despatch, or (peremptorily) to dismiss αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἄγγελος (ángelos, G32) — compare G34 (ἀγέλη)) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by…
Open source ↗τέ (té, G5037) — both or also (properly, as correlation of G2532 (καί)) συνείδω (syneídō, G4894) — to see completely; used (like its primary) only in two past tenses, respectively meaning… ἔρχομαι (érchomai, G2064) — to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… οἰκία (oikía, G3614) — properly, residence (abstractly), but usually (concretely) an abode (literally or… Μαρία (María, G3137) — Maria or Mariam (i.e. Mirjam), the name of six Christian females μήτηρ (mḗtēr, G3384) — a "mother" (literally or figuratively, immediate or remote) Ἰωάννης (Iōánnēs, G2491) — Joannes (i.e. Jochanan), the name of four Israelites ἐπικαλέομαι (epikaléomai, G1941) — to entitle; by implication, to invoke (for aid, worship, testimony, decision, etc.) Μάρκος (Márkos, G3138) — Marcus, a Christian οὗ (hoû, G3757) — at which place, i.e. where ἱκανός (hikanós, G2425) — competent (as if coming in season), i.e. ample (in amount) or fit (in character) ἦν (ēn, G2258) — I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were) συναθροίζω (synathroízō, G4867) — to convene
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. Πέτρος (Pétros, G4074) — a (piece of) rock (larger than G3037 (λίθος)); as a name, Petrus, an apostle κρούω (kroúō, G2925) — to rap θύρα (thýra, G2374) — a portal or entrance (the opening or the closure, literally or figuratively) πυλών (pylṓn, G4440) — a gate-way, door-way of a building or city; by implication, a portal or vestibule παιδίσκη (paidískē, G3814) — a girl, i.e. (specially), a female slave or servant προσέρχομαι (prosérchomai, G4334) — to approach, i.e. (literally) come near, visit, or (figuratively) worship, assent to ὑπακούω (hypakoúō, G5219) — to hear under (as a subordinate), i.e. to listen attentively; by implication, to heed or… ὄνομα (ónoma, G3686) — a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character) Ῥόδη (Rhódē, G4498) — Rode, a servant girl
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἐπιγινώσκω (epiginṓskō, G1921) — to know upon some mark, i.e. recognize; by implication, to become fully acquainted with,… Πέτρος (Pétros, G4074) — a (piece of) rock (larger than G3037 (λίθος)); as a name, Petrus, an apostle φωνή (phōnḗ, G5456) — a tone (articulate, bestial or artificial); by implication, an address (for any purpose),… ἀνοίγω (anoígō, G455) — to open up (literally or figuratively, in various applications) οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not πυλών (pylṓn, G4440) — a gate-way, door-way of a building or city; by implication, a portal or vestibule ἀπό (apó, G575) — "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation;… χαρά (chará, G5479) — cheerfulness, i.e. calm delight δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. εἰστρέχω (eistréchō, G1532) — to hasten inward ἀπαγγέλλω (apangéllō, G518) — to announce ἵστημι (hístēmi, G2476) — to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or… πρό (pró, G4253) — "fore", i.e. in front of, prior (figuratively, superior) to
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Then they will deliver you over to be persecuted and killed, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.
Remember the word that I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they kept My word, they will keep yours as well.
Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on Me. But this hour belongs to you and to the power of darkness.”
They will put you out of the synagogues. In fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God.
as You stretch out Your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.”
Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria experienced a time of peace. It grew in strength and numbers, living in the fear of the Lord and the encouragement of the Holy Spirit.