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Text -- Acts 12:1 (NET)

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Context
James is Killed and Peter Imprisoned
12:1 About that time King Herod laid hands on some from the church to harm them.
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Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics

Names, People and Places:
 · Herod son of Antipater; king over Judea when Christ was born,a son of Herod the Great,a grandson of Herod the Great and son of Aristobulus and Berenice


Dictionary Themes and Topics: Prayer | Peter | PETER, SIMON | PAUL, THE APOSTLE, 5 | PAUL, THE APOSTLE, 3 | MARK, THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO, 1 | JOHN, THE APOSTLE | JAMES | Herod Agrippa I. | Herod | HOUSE | GALATIANS, EPISTLE TO THE | Drusilla | CLAUDIUS | BERNICE | Agrippa I. | APOSTOLIC AGE | ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, 8-12 | ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, 13-OUTLINE | ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, 1-7 | more
Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
Robertson , Vincent , Wesley , JFB , Clarke , Calvin , Defender , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Poole , Haydock , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes , Geneva Bible

Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis , Combined Bible , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Barclay , Constable , College , McGarvey

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

Robertson: Act 12:1 - -- About that time ( kat' ekeinon ton kairon ). Same phrase in Rom 9:9. That is, the early part of a.d. 44 since that is the date of Herod’ s death...

About that time ( kat' ekeinon ton kairon ).

Same phrase in Rom 9:9. That is, the early part of a.d. 44 since that is the date of Herod’ s death. As already suggested, Barnabas and Saul came down from Antioch to Jerusalem after the persecution by Herod at the end of 44 or the beginning of 45.

Robertson: Act 12:1 - -- Herod the king ( Hērōidēs ho basileus ). Accurate title at this particular time. Herod Agrippa I, grandson of Herod the Great, was King of Pale...

Herod the king ( Hērōidēs ho basileus ).

Accurate title at this particular time. Herod Agrippa I, grandson of Herod the Great, was King of Palestine a.d. 42 to 44; only for these three years was a Herod king over Palestine since the death of Herod the Great and never afterwards. Archelaus never actually became king though he had the popular title at first (Mat 2:22).

Robertson: Act 12:1 - -- Put forth his hands ( epebalen tas cheiras ). Second aorist active indicative of epiballō , old verb, to cast upon or against. The same idiom with ...

Put forth his hands ( epebalen tas cheiras ).

Second aorist active indicative of epiballō , old verb, to cast upon or against. The same idiom with tas cheiras (the hands, common Greek idiom with article rather than possessive pronoun) in Act 4:3; Act 5:18.

Robertson: Act 12:1 - -- To afflict ( kakōsai ). First aorist active infinitive of kakoō , old word to do harm or evil to (kakos ), already in Act 7:6, Act 7:19. Outside...

To afflict ( kakōsai ).

First aorist active infinitive of kakoō , old word to do harm or evil to (kakos ), already in Act 7:6, Act 7:19. Outside of Acts in the N.T. only 1Pe 5:13. Infinitive of purpose. Probably the first who were afflicted were scourged or imprisoned, not put to death. It had been eight years or more since the persecution over the death of Stephen ceased with the conversion of Saul. But the disciples were not popular in Jerusalem with either Sadducees or Pharisees. The overtures to the Gentiles in Caesarea and Antioch may have stirred up the Pharisees afresh (cf. Act 6:14). Herod Agrippa I was an Idumean through his grandfather Herod the Great and a grandson of Mariamne the Maccabean princess. He was a favourite of Caligula the Roman Emperor and was anxious to placate his Jewish subjects while retaining the favour of the Romans. So he built theatres and held games for the Romans and Greeks and slew the Christians to please the Jews. Josephus ( Ant. XIX. 7, 3) calls him a pleasant vain man scrupulously observing Jewish rites. Here we have for the first time political power (after Pilate) used against the disciples.

Vincent: Act 12:1 - -- That time ( ἐκεῖνον τὸν καιρὸν ) More correctly, that junctu re. See on Act 1:7. The date is A. D. 44.

That time ( ἐκεῖνον τὸν καιρὸν )

More correctly, that junctu re. See on Act 1:7. The date is A. D. 44.

Vincent: Act 12:1 - -- Herod the king Called also Agrippa, and commonly known as Herod Agrippa I., the grandson of Herod the Great.

Herod the king

Called also Agrippa, and commonly known as Herod Agrippa I., the grandson of Herod the Great.

Vincent: Act 12:1 - -- Stretched forth his hands ( ἐπέβαλεν τὰς χεῖρας ) Lit., laid on his hands. The A. V. is wrong, and so is the Rev. Rend...

Stretched forth his hands ( ἐπέβαλεν τὰς χεῖρας )

Lit., laid on his hands. The A. V. is wrong, and so is the Rev. Render, laid hand, on certain of the church to afflict them.

Vincent: Act 12:1 - -- Vex ( κακῶσαι ) Vex is used in the older and stronger sense of torment or oppress . See Exo 22:21; Num 25:17; Mat 15:22. Its modern...

Vex ( κακῶσαι )

Vex is used in the older and stronger sense of torment or oppress . See Exo 22:21; Num 25:17; Mat 15:22. Its modern usage relates rather to petty annoyances. Rev., better, afflict.

Wesley: Act 12:1 - -- So wisely did God mix rest and persecution in due time and measure succeeding each other.

So wisely did God mix rest and persecution in due time and measure succeeding each other.

Wesley: Act 12:1 - -- Agrippa; the latter was his Roman, the former his Syrian name. He was the grandson of Herod the Great, nephew to Herod Antipas, who beheaded John the ...

Agrippa; the latter was his Roman, the former his Syrian name. He was the grandson of Herod the Great, nephew to Herod Antipas, who beheaded John the Baptist; brother to Herodias, and father to that Agrippa before whom St. Paul afterward made his defence. Caligula made him king of the tetrarchy of his uncle Philip, to which he afterward added the territories of Antipas. Claudius made him also king of Judea, and added thereto the dominions of Lysanias.

JFB: Act 12:1-3 - -- 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 his...

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.

Clarke: Act 12:1 - -- 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 ...

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)

Clarke: Act 12:1 - -- To vex certain of the Church - That is, to destroy its chief ornaments and supports.

To vex certain of the Church - That is, to destroy its chief ornaments and supports.

Calvin: Act 12:1 - -- 1. Here followeth new persecution raised by Herod. We see that the Church had some short truce, that it might, as it were, by a short breathing, rec...

1. Here followeth new persecution raised by Herod. We see that the Church had some short truce, that it might, as it were, by a short breathing, recover some courage against the time to come, and that it might then fight afresh. So at this day there is no cause why the faithful, having borne the brunts of one or two conflicts, should promise themselves rest, 748 or should desire such a calling 749 as old overworn soldiers use to have. Let this suffice them if the Lord grant them some time wherein they may recover their strength. This Herod was Agrippa the greater, [elder,] the son of Aristobulus, whom his father slew. Josephus doth no where call him Herod, it may be, because he had a brother who was king of Chalcis, whose name was Herod. This man was incensed to afflict the Church not so much for any love he had to religion, as that by this means he might flatter the common people which did otherwise not greatly favor him; or rather, he was moved hereunto with tyrannical cruelty, because he was afraid of innovation, which tyrants do always fear, lest it trouble the quiet estate of their dominion. Yet it is likely that he did shed innocent blood, that, according to the common craft of kings, he might gratify a furious people; because St. Luke will shortly after declare that Peter the apostle was put into prison that he might be a pleasant spectacle.

He killed James Undoubtedly the cruelty of this mad man was restrained and bridled by the secret power of God. For assuredly he would never have been content with one or two murders, and so have abstained from persecuting the rest, but he would rather have piled up martyrs upon heaps, unless God had set his hand against him, and defended his flock. So when we see that the enemies of godliness, being full of fury, do not commit horrible slaughters, that they may mix and imbrue all things with blood, let us know that we need not thank their moderation and clemency for this; but because, when the Lord doth spare his sheep, he doth not suffer them to do so much hurt as they would. This Herod was not so courteous, that he would stick to win peace or the people’s favor with the punishment of an hundred men or more.

Wherefore, we must think with ourselves that he was tied by one that had the rule over him, that he might not more vehemently oppress the Church. He slew James, as, when any sedition is raised, the heads and captains go first to the pot, 750 that the common riff-raft may by their punishment be terrified. Nevertheless, the Lord suffered him whom he had furnished with constancy to be put to death, that by death he might get the victory as a strong and invincible champion. So that the attempts of tyrants notwithstanding, God maketh choice of sweet-smelling sacrifices to establish the faith of his gospel. Luke calleth this games which was slain the brother of John, that he may distinguish him from the son of Alpheus. For whereas some make him a third cousin of Christ’s, who was only some one of the disciples, I do not like of that, because I am by strong reasons persuaded to think that there were no more. Let him that will, repair to the second to the Galatians. Therefore, I think that the apostle and the son of Alpheus were all one, whom the Jews threw down headlong from the top of the temple, whose death was so highly Commended for his singular praise of holiness.

Defender: Act 12:1 - -- King Herod, as described in this chapter, was Herod Agrippa I, grandson of Herod the Great, the cruel king who slaughtered the babies at Bethlehem (Ma...

King Herod, as described in this chapter, was Herod Agrippa I, grandson of Herod the Great, the cruel king who slaughtered the babies at Bethlehem (Mat 2:1, Mat 2:16), and the father of Herod Agrippa II, who in turn was the King Agrippa who later tried Paul (Acts 25:13-26:32). Another Herod, Herod Antipas, was one of the sons of Herod the Great, and he was tetrarch of Galilee during the ministries of John the Baptist and Jesus. Another son of Herod the Great, Aristobulus, was the father of Herod Agrippa I, the Herod who had James executed."

TSK: Act 12:1 - -- Cir, am 4048, ad 44 stretched forth his hands : or, began, Act 4:30, Act 9:31; Luk 22:53 to vex : Mat 10:17, Mat 10:18, Mat 24:9; Joh 15:20, Joh 16:2

Cir, am 4048, ad 44

stretched forth his hands : or, began, Act 4:30, Act 9:31; Luk 22:53

to vex : Mat 10:17, Mat 10:18, Mat 24:9; Joh 15:20, Joh 16:2

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: Act 12:1 - -- Now about that time - That is, during the time that the famine existed, or the time when Barnabas and Saul went up to Jerusalem. This was proba...

Now about that time - That is, during the time that the famine existed, or the time when Barnabas and Saul went up to Jerusalem. This was probably about the fifth or sixth year of the reign of Claudius, not far from 47 ad.

Herod the king - This was Herod Agrippa. The Syriac so renders it expressly, and the chronology requires us so to understand it. He was a grandson of Herod the Great, and one of the sons of Aristobulus, whom Herod put to death (Josephus, Antiq. , 18, 5). Herod the Great left three sons, between whom his kingdom was divided - Archelaus, Philip, and Antipas. See the notes on Mat 2:19. To Philip was left Iturea and Trachonitis. See Luk 3:1. To Antipas, Galilee and Perea; and to Archclaus, Judea, Idumea, and Samaria. Archclaus, being accused of cruelty, was banished by Augustus to Vienna in Gaul, and Judea was reduced to a province, and united with Syria. When Philip died, this region was granted by the Emperor Caligula to Herod Agrippa. Herod Antipas was driven as an exile also into Gaul, and then into Spain, and Herod Agrippa received also his tetrarchy. In the reign of Claudius also, the dominions of Herod Agrippa were still further enlarged. When Caligula was slain, he was at Rome, and having ingratiated himself into the favor of Claudius, he conferred on him also Judea and Samaria, so that his dominions were equal in extent to those of his grandfather, Herod the Great. See Josephus, Antiq. , book 19, chapter 5, section 1.

Stretched forth his hands - A figurative expression, denoting that "he laid his hands on them, or that he endeavored violently to oppress the church."

To vex - To injure, to do evil to - κακῶσαί kakōsai .

Certain - Some of the church. Who they were the writer immediately specifies.

Poole: Act 12:1 - -- Act 12:1-19 King Herod persecutes the Christians, kills James, and imprisons Peter, who, upon the prayers of the church, is delivered by an angel. A...

Act 12:1-19 King Herod persecutes the Christians, kills James,

and imprisons Peter, who, upon the prayers of the

church, is delivered by an angel.

Act 12:20-23 Herod, in his pride assuming the glory due to God,

is smitten by an angel, and dieth miserably.

Act 12:24 After his death the word of God prospers.

Act 12:25 Barnabas and Saul return to Antioch.

There were several Herods mentioned in Scripture, being all of the family of Herod the Great, (by whose name they were called), as Herod that killed the children in Bethlehem, called Hecolonita; another that beheaded St. John, and derided our Saviour, this Herod was surnamed Antipas: the Herod here spoken of was called Agrippa; the son, or, as others think, the nephew, of Aristobulus, and was the father of that Agrippa we read of, Act 25:26 , being viceroy, or king, under the Roman emperor. This Herod did not only kill some, but punished others with banishment and blows; and especially the governors of the church, knowing how much all suffer in them.

Haydock: Act 12:1 - -- Herod. Agrippa, made king by the emperor Caius. See Josephus vi. 18. Jewish Antiquities, chap. viii. and lib. xix. chap. 5. put to death James t...

Herod. Agrippa, made king by the emperor Caius. See Josephus vi. 18. Jewish Antiquities, chap. viii. and lib. xix. chap. 5. put to death James the great, brother to John. (Witham) ---

This man was the same as Agrippa, by which name he is most commonly known. He was brother to the famous Herodias, who was the cause of St. John the Baptists decollation, (Calmet) and son-in-law of Herod the Great, by his father Aristobulus. (Bible de Vence)

Gill: Act 12:1 - -- 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...

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.

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Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Act 12:1 Or “to cause them injury.”

Geneva Bible: Act 12:1 Now ( 1 ) about that time ( a ) Herod the king stretched forth [his] hands to vex certain of the church. ( 1 ) God gives his Church peace only for a ...

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Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: Act 12:1-25 - --1 King Herod persecutes the Christians, kills James, and imprisons Peter; whom an angel delivers upon the prayers of the church.20 Herod in his pride ...

Combined Bible: Act 12:1 - --1, 2. The historian does not follow Barnabas and Saul in their tour through the districts in Judea, but, leaving them for awhile, introduces a very in...

MHCC: Act 12:1-5 - --James was one of the sons of Zebedee, whom Christ told that they should drink of the cup that he was to drink of, and be baptized with the baptism tha...

Matthew Henry: Act 12:1-4 - -- 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...

Barclay: Act 12:1-11 - --There now broke out upon the Church, and especially upon its leaders, a new wave of persecution instigated by King Herod. Let us see briefly the va...

Constable: Act 9:32--Rom 1:1 - --III. THE WITNESS TO THE UTTERMOST PART OF THE EARTH 9:32--28:31 Luke next recorded the church's expansion beyond...

Constable: Act 9:32--12:25 - --A. The extension of the church to Syrian Antioch 9:32-12:24 As Jerusalem had been the Palestinian center...

Constable: Act 12:1-24 - --4. The persecution of the Jerusalem church 12:1-24 The saints in Jerusalem not only suffered as ...

Constable: Act 12:1-19 - --The supernatural deliverance of Peter 12:1-19 "Peter's rescue from prison is an unusually vivid episode in Acts even when simply taken as a story abou...

College: Act 12:1-25 - --ACTS 12 H. THE PERSECUTION OF THE CHURCH BY HEROD AGRIPPA I (12:1-25) 1. The Martyrdom of James and Imprisonment of Peter (12:1-4) 1 It was about...

McGarvey: Act 12:1 - --XII: 1, 2. The historian does not follow Barnabas and Saul in their tour through the districts in Judea, but, leaving them for awhile, introduces a ve...

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Introduction / Outline

Robertson: Acts (Book Introduction) THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES By Way of Introduction But for the Acts we should know nothing of the early apostolic period save what is told in the Epi...

JFB: Acts (Book Introduction) THIS book is to the Gospels what the fruit is to the tree that bears it. In the Gospels we see the corn of wheat falling into the ground and dying: in...

JFB: Acts (Outline) INTRODUCTION--LAST DAYS OF OUR LORD UPON EARTH--HIS ASCENSION. (Act 1:1-11) RETURN OF THE ELEVEN TO JERUSALEM--PROCEEDINGS IN THE UPPER ROOM TILL PEN...

TSK: Acts (Book Introduction) The Acts of the Apostles is a most valuable portion of Divine revelation; and, independently of its universal reception in the Christian church, as an...

TSK: Acts 12 (Chapter Introduction) Overview Act 12:1, King Herod persecutes the Christians, kills James, and imprisons Peter; whom an angel delivers upon the prayers of the church; ...

Poole: Acts 12 (Chapter Introduction) CHAPTER 12

MHCC: Acts (Book Introduction) This book unites the Gospels to the Epistles. It contains many particulars concerning the apostles Peter and Paul, and of the Christian church from th...

MHCC: Acts 12 (Chapter Introduction) (Act 12:1-5) The martyrdom of James, and the imprisonment of Peter. (Act 12:6-11) He is delivered from prison by an angel. (Act 12:12-19) Peter depa...

Matthew Henry: Acts (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The Acts of the Apostles We have with an abundant satisfaction seen the foundation of our holy religion...

Matthew Henry: Acts 12 (Chapter Introduction) In this chapter we have the story, I. Of the martyrdom of James the apostle, and the imprisonment of Peter by Herod Agrippa, who now reigned as ki...

Barclay: Acts (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES A Precious Book In one sense Acts is the most important book in the New Testament. It is the simple truth t...

Barclay: Acts 12 (Chapter Introduction) Imprisonment And Deliverance (Act_12:1-11) The Joy Of Restoration (Act_12:12-19) A Terrible End (Act_12:20-25)

Constable: Acts (Book Introduction) Introduction Title The title "Acts of the Apostles" is very ancient. The Anti-Marcioni...

Constable: Acts (Outline) Outline I. The witness in Jerusalem 1:1-6:7 A. The founding of the church 1:1-2:46 ...

Constable: Acts Acts Bibliography Albright, William Foxwell. The Archaeology of Palestine. 1949. Revised ed. Pelican Archaeolog...

Haydock: Acts (Book Introduction) THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. INTRODUCTION. St. Luke, who had published his gospel, wrote also a second volume, which, from the first ages, hath bee...

Gill: Acts (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO ACTS This book, in some copies, is called, "The Acts of the holy Apostles". It contains an history of the ministry and miracles of ...

College: Acts (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION As early as the second century the title "The Acts of the Apostles" was given to this document. Before that time the work probably circu...

College: Acts (Outline) OUTLINE I. THE CHURCH IN JERUSALEM - 1:1-8:1a A. INTRODUCTION OF THE BOOK - 1:1-3 B. THE COMMISSIONING OF THE APOSTLES - 1:4-8 C. THE ASCENSI...

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