Acts 12:1 kjv
Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.
Acts 12:1 nkjv
Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church.
Acts 12:1 niv
It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them.
Acts 12:1 esv
About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church.
Acts 12:1 nlt
About that time King Herod Agrippa began to persecute some believers in the church.
Acts 12 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 12:1 | Now about that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. | To persecute early Christians |
| Acts 12:2 | He killed James the brother of John with a sword. | Martyrdom of James |
| Acts 12:3 | When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. | Favoring Jewish opposition |
| Galatians 1:1 | Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised him from the dead— | Divine authority of apostles |
| 1 Corinthians 4:9 | For I think God has made us apostles display posts as the last of men, condemned to death, since we are a spectacle to the whole world, to angels, and to men. | Suffering of apostles |
| Hebrews 11:35 | others suffered mocking, flogging, and even imprisonment and were stoned. | Historical persecution |
| Revelation 6:9 | When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. | Souls of martyrs |
| Acts 14:22 | strengthening the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. | Necessity of tribulation |
| John 16:33 | I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. | Christ's promise of tribulation |
| Matthew 5:11 | Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. | Beatitude on persecution |
| 1 Peter 5:8 | Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. | Satan as adversary |
| Acts 20:29-30 | I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. | Warning of false teachers/persecution |
| 2 Timothy 3:12 | Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. | Universality of persecution |
| Romans 8:35 | Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? | Unbreakable love of God |
| Acts 4:18-20 | but calling them and forbidding them to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. | Prior instances of forbidding |
| Acts 5:28-29 | saying, "We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, and behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us!" But Peter said, "We must obey God rather than men." | Disobedience to human authority |
| Mark 10:40 | but to sit at my right hand or at my left, is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” | Place of honor for faithful |
| Exodus 1:10-12 | Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and if a war breaks out, that they join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land.” Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with forced labor. | Pharaoh's persecution of Israel |
| Judges 10:7 | And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of the Philistines and into the hand of the Ammonites. | God's displeasure with Israel |
| Daniel 7:25 | He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and shall think to change the times and the law, and they shall be given into his hand for a time, and times, and half a time. | Prophecy of oppressive rulers |
Acts 12 verses
Acts 12 1 Meaning
This verse introduces King Herod Agrippa I and his persecution of the early church. It marks a significant escalation in opposition, moving from societal disapproval to direct, governmental action by a Jewish ruler. The mention of specific individuals being targeted indicates a deliberate effort to suppress the Christian movement.
Acts 12 1 Context
The events of Acts chapter 12 take place in Jerusalem. Herod Agrippa I, who ruled over Judea as a Roman client king, is the central figure in this verse. He was the grandson of Herod the Great, who ordered the massacre of the innocents. This chapter follows the mission of Barnabas and Saul (Paul) and their return from Antioch. Herod's actions reflect a broader pattern of opposition to the growing Christian movement. The text specifically highlights his "laying violent hands" on members of the church, indicating direct and forceful intervention. His motive, as further described in the chapter, is to curry favor with the Jewish populace who still largely viewed Christianity with suspicion or hostility.
Acts 12 1 Word Analysis
- Now (δὲ - de): A conjunction, indicating a transition or connection to the previous narrative. It marks a shift in focus to the events involving King Herod.
- about that time (ἐπ' ἐκεῖνον τὸν χρόνον - ep' ekeinon ton chronon): A temporal phrase indicating a specific period. This connects the present action to the ongoing narrative of the early church's growth and spread.
- Herod (Ἡρώδης - Herōdēs): Refers to Herod Agrippa I, a descendant of Herod the Great. He was a ruler appointed by the Roman Emperor. His reign and actions are historically documented.
- the king (ὁ βασιλεὺς - ho basileus): Identifies Herod Agrippa I's royal status. This position granted him authority and the power to enforce his will.
- laid violent hands (ἐπράξεν τινας – εχθραν - eprasen tinas – echthran, an interpretative phrase suggesting violent action): The Greek is actually ἐπεβάλετο (epebaleto), meaning "stretched forth his hand," "laid hands upon," or "began to injure." Combined with the context, it implies malicious intent and harmful action.
- some (τινας – tinas): Indicates that not all, but a portion of the believers were targeted. This suggests a selective but serious phase of persecution.
- who belonged to the church (τῶν ἀπὸ τῆς ἐκκλησίας – tōn apo tēs ekklēsias): Clearly identifies the victims as members of the early Christian community, known as the "church" (ekklēsia).
Words-Group Analysis
- "Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church": This phrase establishes the direct, state-sanctioned persecution against the nascent Christian movement by a significant political authority. It signifies a transition from popular opposition or arrests by local Jewish authorities (as seen in Acts 4-5) to a more severe, organized form of suppression instigated by a ruler. This action directly impacted the community, leading to the martyrdom of key figures and increasing pressure on the apostles.
Acts 12 1 Bonus Section
Herod Agrippa I’s reign was characterized by an effort to embrace Jewish customs and religious law to gain the support of the Jewish people, distinguishing himself from his Roman predecessors who were often seen as foreign oppressors. This verse captures that strategy; by persecuting the Christians, a group seen by many Jews as heretical, Herod sought to endear himself to the Sanhedrin and the broader Jewish populace. This desire for human approval and political expediency contrasts sharply with the apostles' primary allegiance to God. Agrippa I's reign ended later that same year with a sudden and ignominious death, described in subsequent verses of Acts 12, serving as a divine judgment for his actions. His death, in Luke's narrative, is linked to accepting the praise due to God alone, a stark warning against pride and a reminder that true authority rests with God.
Acts 12 1 Commentary
King Herod Agrippa I, a politically astute ruler eager to please his Jewish subjects and consolidate his power, initiates a harsh crackdown on the growing Christian movement in Jerusalem. This isn't random violence, but a calculated move to align himself with established religious sensibilities that viewed Jesus and his followers as a threat. The targeting of church members, culminating in the execution of James and the attempted execution of Peter, demonstrates the severity of the persecution and the vulnerability of the early believers to worldly powers. It underscores the tension between earthly kingdoms and the Kingdom of God, a theme prevalent throughout Acts.