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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Acts 12:1 About that time, King Herod reached out to harm some who belonged to the church.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/acts/12-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/44_Act_12_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Acts 12:1 - James Killed, Peter Imprisoned" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="About that time, King Herod reached out to harm some who belonged to the church." /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/acts/11-30.htm" title="Acts 11:30">◄</a> Acts 12:1 <a href="/acts/12-2.htm" title="Acts 12:2">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/acts/12.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/acts/12.htm">New International Version</a> It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. <a href="/nlt/acts/12.htm">New Living Translation</a> About that time King Herod Agrippa began to persecute some believers in the church. <a href="/esv/acts/12.htm">English Standard Version</a> About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. <a href="/bsb/acts/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> About that time, King Herod reached out to harm some who belonged to the church. <a href="/blb/acts/12.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Now at that time, Herod the king put forth the hands to mistreat some of those of the church. <a href="/kjv/acts/12.htm">King James Bible</a> Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. <a href="/nkjv/acts/12.htm">New King James Version</a> Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. <a href="/nasb_/acts/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Now about that time Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church, to do them harm. <a href="/nasb/acts/12.htm">NASB 1995</a> Now about that time Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church in order to mistreat them. <a href="/nasb77/acts/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Now about that time Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church, in order to mistreat them. <a href="/lsb/acts/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Now about that time Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church in order to harm them. <a href="/amp/acts/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Now at that time Herod [Agrippa I] the king [of the Jews] arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to harm them. <a href="/csb/acts/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> About that time King Herod violently attacked some who belonged to the church, <a href="/hcsb/acts/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> About that time King Herod cruelly attacked some who belonged to the church, <a href="/asv/acts/12.htm">American Standard Version</a> Now about that time Herod the king put forth his hands to afflict certain of the church. <a href="/cev/acts/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> At that time King Herod caused terrible suffering for some members of the church. <a href="/erv/acts/12.htm">English Revised Version</a> Now about that time Herod the king put forth his hands to afflict certain of the church. <a href="/gwt/acts/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> About that time King Herod devoted his attention to mistreating certain members of the church. <a href="/gnt/acts/12.htm">Good News Translation</a> About this time King Herod began to persecute some members of the church. <a href="/isv/acts/12.htm">International Standard Version</a> About that time, Herod arrested some people who belonged to the church and mistreated them. <a href="/msb/acts/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> About that time, King Herod reached out to harm some who belonged to the church. <a href="/net/acts/12.htm">NET Bible</a> About that time King Herod laid hands on some from the church to harm them. <a href="/nheb/acts/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Now about that time, Herod the king stretched out his hands to oppress some of the church. <a href="/wbt/acts/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Now about that time, Herod the king stretched forth his hands to afflict certain of the church. <a href="/wey/acts/12.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Now, about that time, King Herod arrested certain members of the Church, in order to ill-treat them; <a href="/web/acts/12.htm">World English Bible</a> Now about that time, King Herod stretched out his hands to oppress some of the assembly. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/acts/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And about that time, Herod the king put forth his hands to do evil to certain of those of the Assembly, <a href="/blb/acts/12.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Now at that time, Herod the king put forth the hands to mistreat some of those of the church. <a href="/ylt/acts/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And about that time, Herod the king put forth his hands, to do evil to certain of those of the assembly, <a href="/slt/acts/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And at that time Herod the king laid hands upon to injure certain of the church.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/acts/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> AND at the same time, Herod the king stretched forth his hands, to afflict some of the church. <a href="/cpdv/acts/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Now at the same time, king Herod extended his hand, in order to afflict some from the Church. <a href="/nabre/acts/12.htm">New American Bible</a> About that time King Herod laid hands upon some members of the church to harm them. <a href="/nrsvce/acts/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> About that time King Herod laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the church.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/acts/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> NOW at that very time Herod the king surnamed A-grip’pa seized some of the people of the church to oppress them. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/acts/12.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> But at that time, King Herodus, who was surnamed Agrippa, was laying hands on the people who were in the churches, to do evil to them.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/acts/12.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> At that time Herod the king undertook to afflict some of the church. <a href="/godbey/acts/12.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> But at this time king Herod reached forth his hands to persecute some of those from the church. <a href="/haweis/acts/12.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> NOW at that time Herod the king stretched forth his hand to treat cruelly certain persons belonging to the church. <a href="/mace/acts/12.htm">Mace New Testament</a> About that time, king Herod Agrippa began to persecute some of the church. <a href="/wey/acts/12.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Now, about that time, King Herod arrested certain members of the Church, in order to ill-treat them; <a href="/worrell/acts/12.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> Now about that time Herod the king put forth his bands to harm some of the assembly. <a href="/worsley/acts/12.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> About that time Herod the king exerted his power to distress some of the church. <a href="/parallel/acts/12-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/in5WTRQ9BSQ?start=3786" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/acts/12.htm">James Killed, Peter Imprisoned</a> 1<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/2596.htm" title="2596: Kat’ (Prep) -- A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).">About</a> <a href="/greek/1565.htm" title="1565: ekeinon (DPro-AMS) -- That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed.">that</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2540.htm" title="2540: kairon (N-AMS) -- Fitting season, season, opportunity, occasion, time. Of uncertain affinity; an occasion, i.e. Set or proper time.">time,</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/935.htm" title="935: basileus (N-NMS) -- A king, ruler, but in some passages clearly to be translated: emperor. Probably from basis; a sovereign.">King</a> <a href="/greek/2264.htm" title="2264: Hērōdēs (N-NMS) -- Compound of heros and eidos; heroic; Herod, the name of four Jewish kings.">Herod</a> <a href="/greek/1911.htm" title="1911: epebalen (V-AIA-3S) -- From epi and ballo; to throw upon; specially to reflect; impersonally, to belong to.">reached out</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tas (Art-AFP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/5495.htm" title="5495: cheiras (N-AFP) -- A hand. "></a> <a href="/greek/2559.htm" title="2559: kakōsai (V-ANA) -- To treat badly, afflict, embitter, make angry. From kakos; to injure; figuratively, to exasperate.">to harm</a> <a href="/greek/5100.htm" title="5100: tinas (IPro-AMP) -- Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.">some</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tōn (Art-GMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">who</a> <a href="/greek/575.htm" title="575: apo (Prep) -- From, away from. A primary particle; off, i.e. Away, in various senses.">belonged to</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/1577.htm" title="1577: ekklēsias (N-GFS) -- From a compound of ek and a derivative of kaleo; a calling out, i.e. a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation.">church.</a> 2He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/matthew/2-16.htm">Matthew 2:16</a> When Herod saw that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was filled with rage. Sending orders, he put to death all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, according to the time he had learned from the Magi. <a href="/matthew/14-1.htm">Matthew 14:1-12</a> At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus / and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.” / Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, ... <a href="/mark/6-14.htm">Mark 6:14-29</a> Now King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known, and people were saying, “John the Baptist has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.” / Others were saying, “He is Elijah,” and still others, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” / But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has risen from the dead!” ... <a href="/luke/3-19.htm">Luke 3:19-20</a> But when he rebuked Herod the tetrarch regarding his brother’s wife Herodias and all the evils he had done, / Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison. <a href="/luke/13-31.htm">Luke 13:31-32</a> At that very hour, some Pharisees came to Jesus and told Him, “Leave this place and get away, because Herod wants to kill You.” / But Jesus replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘Look, I will keep driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach My goal.’ <a href="/john/11-47.htm">John 11:47-53</a> Then the chief priests and Pharisees convened the Sanhedrin and said, “What are we to do? This man is performing many signs. / If we let Him go on like this, everyone will believe in Him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” / But one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all! ... <a href="/john/18-12.htm">John 18:12-14</a> Then the band of soldiers, with its commander and the officers of the Jews, arrested Jesus and bound Him. / They brought Him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. / Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be better if one man died for the people. <a href="/john/19-12.htm">John 19:12-16</a> From then on, Pilate tried to release Him, but the Jews kept shouting, “If you release this man, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who declares himself a king is defying Caesar.” / When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat on the judgment seat at a place called the Stone Pavement, which in Hebrew is Gabbatha. / It was the day of Preparation for the Passover, about the sixth hour. And Pilate said to the Jews, “Here is your King!” ... <a href="/acts/4-1.htm">Acts 4:1-3</a> While Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them, / greatly disturbed that they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. / They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in custody until the next day. <a href="/acts/5-17.htm">Acts 5:17-18</a> Then the high priest and all his associates, who belonged to the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They went out / and arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. <a href="/acts/7-54.htm">Acts 7:54-60</a> On hearing this, the members of the Sanhedrin were enraged, and they gnashed their teeth at him. / But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked intently into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. / “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” ... <a href="/acts/8-1.htm">Acts 8:1-3</a> And Saul was there, giving approval to Stephen’s death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. / God-fearing men buried Stephen and mourned deeply over him. / But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison. <a href="/acts/9-1.htm">Acts 9:1-2</a> Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord. He approached the high priest / and requested letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women belonging to the Way, he could bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem. <a href="/acts/22-4.htm">Acts 22:4-5</a> I persecuted this Way even to the death, detaining both men and women and throwing them into prison, / as the high priest and the whole Council can testify about me. I even obtained letters from them to their brothers in Damascus, and I was on my way to apprehend these people and bring them to Jerusalem to be punished. <a href="/2_corinthians/11-24.htm">2 Corinthians 11:24-25</a> Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. / Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked. I spent a night and a day in the open sea.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.Cir.<a href="/acts/4-30.htm">Acts 4:30</a> By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.<a href="/acts/9-31.htm">Acts 9:31</a> Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.<a href="/luke/22-53.htm">Luke 22:53</a> When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.to vex.<a href="/matthew/10-17.htm">Matthew 10:17,18</a> But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; … <a href="/matthew/24-9.htm">Matthew 24:9</a> Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.<a href="/john/15-20.htm">John 15:20</a> Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/8-28.htm">Afflict</a> <a href="/acts/5-18.htm">Arrested</a> <a href="/acts/11-26.htm">Assembly</a> <a href="/john/10-12.htm">Attacks</a> <a href="/acts/6-9.htm">Belonged</a> <a href="/acts/11-26.htm">Christians</a> <a href="/acts/11-30.htm">Church</a> <a href="/acts/7-6.htm">Cruel</a> <a href="/acts/10-38.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/acts/11-25.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/acts/11-30.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/acts/4-27.htm">Herod</a> <a href="/luke/20-18.htm">Hurt</a> <a href="/acts/7-6.htm">Ill-Treat</a> <a href="/acts/9-21.htm">Intending</a> <a href="/acts/9-37.htm">Laid</a> <a href="/acts/6-9.htm">Members</a> <a href="/luke/6-28.htm">Mistreat</a> <a href="/malachi/3-5.htm">Oppress</a> <a href="/acts/11-4.htm">Order</a> <a href="/acts/9-5.htm">Persecute</a> <a href="/acts/4-30.htm">Stretched</a> <a href="/acts/11-28.htm">Time</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-7.htm">Vex</a> <a href="/acts/8-1.htm">Violent</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/philippians/1-17.htm">Afflict</a> <a href="/acts/12-4.htm">Arrested</a> <a href="/acts/12-5.htm">Assembly</a> <a href="/acts/22-4.htm">Attacks</a> <a href="/acts/15-5.htm">Belonged</a> <a href="/romans/16-7.htm">Christians</a> <a href="/acts/12-5.htm">Church</a> <a href="/acts/20-29.htm">Cruel</a> <a href="/acts/13-10.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/acts/12-4.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/acts/12-7.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/acts/12-4.htm">Herod</a> <a href="/acts/18-10.htm">Hurt</a> <a href="/genesis/31-50.htm">Ill-Treat</a> <a href="/acts/12-4.htm">Intending</a> <a href="/acts/13-3.htm">Laid</a> <a href="/acts/15-3.htm">Members</a> <a href="/acts/14-5.htm">Mistreat</a> <a href="/james/2-6.htm">Oppress</a> <a href="/acts/13-47.htm">Order</a> <a href="/acts/22-7.htm">Persecute</a> <a href="/acts/22-25.htm">Stretched</a> <a href="/acts/12-3.htm">Time</a> <a href="/colossians/3-21.htm">Vex</a> <a href="/acts/12-20.htm">Violent</a><div class="vheading2">Acts 12</div>1. <a href="/acts/12-1.htm">King Herod persecutes the Christians, kills James, and imprisons Peter; </a> 6. <a href="/acts/12-6.htm">whom an angel delivers upon the prayers of the church.</a> 20. <a href="/acts/12-20.htm">Herod in his pride taking to himself the honor due to God, </a> 23. <a href="/acts/12-23.htm">is stricken by an angel, and dies miserably.</a> 24. <a href="/acts/12-24.htm">After his death, the word of God prospers.</a> 25. <a href="/acts/12-25.htm">Saul and Barnabas return to Antioch.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/12.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/acts/12.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>About that time This phrase situates the events within a specific period, likely around AD 44, during the reign of Herod Agrippa I. This was a time of significant growth and persecution for the early church. The phrase connects the narrative to the broader context of the early Christian movement and its challenges.King Herod Herod Agrippa I was the grandson of Herod the Great, who ruled Judea at the time of Jesus' birth. Known for his political acumen, Agrippa I was a client king under Roman authority, ruling over Judea and surrounding regions. His reign is marked by efforts to appease both Roman authorities and Jewish leaders, which often put him at odds with the early Christian community. His actions against the church can be seen as an attempt to gain favor with Jewish leaders who opposed the new sect.reached out to harm This indicates a deliberate and aggressive action against the church. The Greek term used here suggests a violent or hostile intent. Herod's actions reflect the broader pattern of persecution faced by the early Christians, as seen in previous chapters of Acts and in the experiences of the apostles. This persecution is part of the fulfillment of Jesus' warnings to His followers about the trials they would face (<a href="/john/15-20.htm">John 15:20</a>).some who belonged to the church The early church, composed of Jewish and Gentile believers, was rapidly expanding. The phrase highlights that the persecution was targeted, affecting specific members of the community. This aligns with the broader narrative of Acts, where key figures like Peter and James are often singled out. The church's identity as a distinct group within Judaism is becoming more pronounced, leading to increased tension with Jewish authorities.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/k/king_herod.htm">King Herod</a> This refers to Herod Agrippa I, the grandson of Herod the Great. He was known for his political acumen and his efforts to gain favor with the Jewish people by persecuting the early Christian church. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_church.htm">The Church</a> The early Christian community in Jerusalem, which was experiencing growth and facing persecution from both Jewish and Roman authorities. 3. <a href="/topical/p/persecution.htm">Persecution</a> The act of King Herod targeting members of the church, which reflects the broader context of hostility towards Christians during this period.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_persecution.htm">Understanding Persecution</a> Recognize that persecution has been a part of the Christian experience since the early church. It is important to understand the historical context and the reasons behind it. <a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_in_trials.htm">Faithfulness in Trials</a> The early church's response to persecution serves as a model for remaining faithful and steadfast in the face of adversity. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a> Despite Herod's intentions, God's purposes for the church prevail. Trust in God's sovereignty even when circumstances seem dire. <a href="/topical/c/community_support.htm">Community Support</a> The church's unity and support for one another during times of persecution highlight the importance of community in the Christian faith. <a href="/topical/p/prayer_and_intercession.htm">Prayer and Intercession</a> The church's response to persecution often included prayer, emphasizing the power and necessity of prayer in difficult times.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_acts_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Acts 12</a> <a href="/q/evidence_for_king_agrippa_ii_in_acts.htm">Is there any archaeological or historical evidence that supports or challenges the presence and actions of King Agrippa II in Acts 25:13–22? </a> <a href="/q/who_was_herod_agrippa_ii.htm">Who was Herod Agrippa II?</a> <a href="/q/evidence_outside_bible_for_peter's_escape.htm">Is there any historical or archaeological evidence outside the Bible to confirm Peter's miraculous prison escape in Acts 12?</a> <a href="/q/is_acts_12's_timeline_reliable_vs._history.htm">How reliable is the timeline of events in Acts 12 compared to external historical records documenting Herod's reign and demise?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/acts/12.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>XII.(1) Herod the king.--The previous life of this prince had been full of strange vicissitudes. The son of Aristobulus and Bernice, grandson of Herod the Great, brother of the Herodias who appears in the Gospel history, named after the statesman who was the chief minister of Augustus, he had been sent, after his father had fallen a victim (B.C. 6) to his grandfather's suspicions, to Rome, partly, perhaps, as a hostage, partly to be out of the way of Palestine intrigues. There he had grown up on terms of intimacy with the prince afterwards known as Caligula. On the marriage of Herod Antipas with his sister, he was made the ruler of Tiberias, but soon quarrelled with the Tetrarch and went to Rome, and falling under the displeasure of Tiberius, as having rashly given utterance to a wish for the succession of Caligula, was imprisoned by him and remained in confinement till the death of that emperor. When Caligula came to the throne, he loaded his friend with honours, gave him the tetrarchies first of Philip, and then that of Lysanias (<a href="/luke/3-1.htm" title="Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene,">Luke 3:1</a>), and conferred on him the title of King. Antipas, prompted by Herodias, came to Rome to claim a like honour for himself, but fell under the emperor's displeasure, and was banished to Lugdunum in Gaul, whither his wife accompanied him. His tetrarchy also was conferred on Agrippa. Coins are extant, minted at Caesarea, and bearing inscriptions in which he is styled the Great King, with the epithets sometimes of Philo-Caesar, sometimes of Philo-Claudios. At the time when Caligula's insanity took the form of a resolve to place his statue in the Temple at Jerusalem, Agrippa rendered an essential service to his people, by using all his influence to deter the emperor from carrying his purpose into execution, and, backed as he was by Petronius, the Governor of Syria, was at last successful. On the death of Caligula, Claudius, whose claims to the empire he had supported, confirmed him in his kingdom. When he came to Judaea, he presented himself to the people in the character of a devout worshipper, and gained their favour by attaching himself to the companies of Nazarites (as we find St. Paul doing in <a href="/acts/21-26.htm" title="Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.">Acts 21:26</a>) when they came to the Temple to offer sacrifices on the completion of their vows (Jos. Ant. xix. 7, ? 3). It would seem that he found a strong popular excitement against the believers in Christ, caused probably by the new step which had recently been taken in the admission of the Gentiles, and fomented by the Sadducean priesthood, and it seemed to him politic to gain the favour of both priests and people, by making himself the instrument of their jealousy.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/acts/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 1. - Put for stretched, A.V.; afflict for vex, A.V. The phrase, About that time, as in <a href="/acts/19-23.htm">Acts 19:23</a>, points to what had just before been related (Meyer). The interposition of the narrative in this chapter between <a href="/acts/11-20.htm">Acts 11:20</a> and Acts 12:25 evidently implies that the bulk or rather the chief of the events narrated happened in the interval. Which of the events was the chief in the mind of the narrator with reference to his general narrative, and what are the coincidences which he wished to note, it is not easy to say with certainty. The narrative in this chapter doubtless overlaps at both ends the embassy of Paul and Barnabas, but perhaps the object was to show the harassed state of the Church from famine and persecution at the time that Paul and Barnabas were at Jerusalem. Herod the king here mentioned is Herod Agrippa I., grandson of Herod the Great, and son of Aristobulus and Bernice. During the reign of Tiberius he resided at Rome, in alternate favor and disgrace, sometimes banished, sometimes a prisoner, sometimes a guest at the imperial court. He was a great friend of Caius Caesar Caligula, and, on his succeeding to the empire on the death of Tiberius, was promoted by him to the tetrarchy of Herod Philip, with the title of king. He was further advanced three years afterwards to the tetrarchy of Herod Antipas; and, on the accession of Claudius to the throne, Judaea and Samaria were added to his dominions, which now comprised the whole kingdom of his grandfather, Herod the Great. Agrippa, in spite of his close intimacy with Drusus, Caligula, Claudius, and other Roman magnates, was "exactly careful in the observance of the laws of his country, not allowing a day to pass without its appointed sacrifice;" and he had given proof of his strong Jewish feeling by interposing his whole influence with Caligula to prevent his statue being placed in the holy of holies. This spirit accounts for his enmity against the Church. He was a man of very expensive and luxurious habits, but not without some great qualities. <a href="/commentaries/acts/12-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>About Κατ’ (Kat’) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_2596.htm">Strong's 2596: </a> A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined). that ἐκεῖνον (ekeinon) Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1565.htm">Strong's 1565: </a> That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed. time, καιρὸν (kairon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2540.htm">Strong's 2540: </a> Fitting season, season, opportunity, occasion, time. Of uncertain affinity; an occasion, i.e. Set or proper time. King βασιλεὺς (basileus) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> A king, ruler, but in some passages clearly to be translated: emperor. Probably from basis; a sovereign. Herod Ἡρῴδης (Hērōdēs) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2264.htm">Strong's 2264: </a> Compound of heros and eidos; heroic; Herod, the name of four Jewish kings. reached out ἐπέβαλεν (epebalen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1911.htm">Strong's 1911: </a> From epi and ballo; to throw upon; specially to reflect; impersonally, to belong to. to inflict harm on κακῶσαί (kakōsai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_2559.htm">Strong's 2559: </a> To treat badly, afflict, embitter, make angry. From kakos; to injure; figuratively, to exasperate. some τινας (tinas) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5100.htm">Strong's 5100: </a> Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object. who τῶν (tōn) Article - Genitive Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. belonged to ἀπὸ (apo) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_575.htm">Strong's 575: </a> From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses. the τῆς (tēs) Article - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. church. ἐκκλησίας (ekklēsias) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1577.htm">Strong's 1577: </a> From a compound of ek and a derivative of kaleo; a calling out, i.e. a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/acts/12-1.htm">Acts 12:1 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/acts/12-1.htm">Acts 12:1 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/acts/12-1.htm">Acts 12:1 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/acts/12-1.htm">Acts 12:1 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/acts/12-1.htm">Acts 12:1 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/acts/12-1.htm">Acts 12:1 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/acts/12-1.htm">Acts 12:1 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/acts/12-1.htm">Acts 12:1 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/acts/12-1.htm">Acts 12:1 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/acts/12-1.htm">Acts 12:1 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/acts/12-1.htm">NT Apostles: Acts 12:1 Now about that time Herod the king (Acts of the Apostles Ac) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/acts/11-30.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Acts 11:30"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Acts 11:30" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/acts/12-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Acts 12:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Acts 12:2" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>