Acts 12:2 kjv
And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
Acts 12:2 nkjv
Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
Acts 12:2 niv
He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.
Acts 12:2 esv
He killed James the brother of John with the sword,
Acts 12:2 nlt
He had the apostle James (John's brother) killed with a sword.
Acts 12 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 12:3 | "Then he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This happened during the days of Unleavened Bread." | Further action by Herod |
| Matthew 26:3 | "Meanwhile the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, called Caiaphas," | Prior plotting against Jesus |
| John 11:47 | "Then the chief priests and the Pharisees convened the council and said, 'What are we to do? This man performs many signs.'" | Conspiracy against Jesus |
| 1 Corinthians 5:7 | "Cleanse out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, as you are unleavened; for Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed." | Passover imagery |
| Isaiah 40:31 | "but those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." | Theme of waiting and deliverance |
| Psalm 34:19 | "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all." | God's deliverance |
| Psalm 34:7 | "The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them." | Angelic protection |
| Psalm 119:147 | "I precede the dawning of the morning and cry for help; I hope in Your word." | Praying for deliverance |
| John 15:18 | "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hated you." | Persecution by the world |
| Acts 5:40 | "And they took his advice. After flogging them, they commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus and released them." | Past persecution of apostles |
| Acts 5:18 | "So they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison." | Previous imprisonment |
| Acts 16:25 | "About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them." | Imprisonment and prayer |
| 2 Timothy 4:17 | "but the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear. So I was rescued from the lion's mouth." | God's strength in difficult times |
| Hebrews 11:34 | "whose strength came from the fact that they refused to give up, choosing instead to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasure of sin." | Faith and endurance in suffering |
| Revelation 12:17 | "Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus." | Ongoing spiritual warfare |
| Romans 8:31 | "What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" | God's protective power |
| Galatians 5:11 | "But if I, like Paul, still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished." | Persecution for preaching Christ |
| 1 Peter 4:16 | "However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear this name." | Suffering as a Christian |
| Matthew 10:17 | "Beware of men; for they will deliver you up to courts and flog you in their synagogues," | Forewarning of persecution |
| Acts 12:1 | "About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church." | King Herod's actions initiated |
| Mark 14:55 | "The chief priests and the whole council were looking for false testimony against Jesus to put him to death," | False accusation intent |
Acts 12 verses
Acts 12 2 Meaning
This verse highlights King Herod's action of arresting Peter and imprisoning him, intending to bring him to public trial after Passover. This action reveals Herod's oppressive nature and his intent to appease the Jewish leaders.
Acts 12 2 Context
In Acts chapter 12, the church in Jerusalem is experiencing a period of growth and impact, which draws the attention and hostility of King Herod Agrippa I. This Herod, a grandson of Herod the Great (who ordered the massacre of infants in Bethlehem), was appointed ruler over Judea. Unlike his grandfather and uncle (Herod Antipas), he seems to have sought to ingratiate himself with the Jewish people and their religious leaders. Seeing the popularity of the apostles, particularly Peter, and their bold preaching, Herod identified them as a threat. To gain favor with the Sanhedrin, who were displeased with the apostles' influence and message, Herod first executed James, the brother of John. This verse describes his next move, targeting Peter, with the intention of making a public spectacle after the festival of Unleavened Bread, a time when many Jews would be present in Jerusalem. The targeting of Peter, a prominent leader, aimed to silence the early church and eliminate its perceived threat to the established order.
Acts 12 2 Word Analysis
- Herod (Greek: Ἡρῴδης - Hērōdēs): Refers to Herod Agrippa I, the king of Judea from AD 41 to 44. He was the grandson of Herod the Great. His actions in this chapter are politically motivated, seeking to gain favor.
- the king (Greek: ὁ βασιλεύς - ho basileus): A title of royalty, indicating his authority over Judea.
- laid violent hands (Greek: ἐπεβάλετο ... τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ - ephebaleto ... tē ekklēsia): The verb "ephebaleto" can mean "to lay upon," "to inflict," or "to strike." Here, it conveys a sense of malicious intent and active aggression.
- on some who belonged to the church (Greek: τινὰς τοῦ ἀπὸ τῆς ἐκκλησίας - tinas tou apo tēs ekklēsias): "Tinas" means "certain ones" or "some." The phrase "apó tēs ekklēsias" signifies individuals "from" or "belonging to" the church.
- he (Greek: οὗτος - houtos): Refers back to Herod, emphasizing his personal agency in these actions.
- saw that (Greek: ὅτι - hoti): Introduces the reason for his subsequent actions.
- it (Greek: ἦν - ēn): Refers to the action described in the previous part of the sentence (laying violent hands).
- pleased (Greek: εὐάρεστον - euareston): Means "well-pleasing," implying satisfaction.
- the Jews (Greek: τοῖς Ἰουδαίοις - tois Ioudaiois): Refers to the Jewish populace or their leaders.
- Therefore (Greek: διό - dio): A conjunction indicating a result or consequence.
- he proceeded (Greek: ἐπεβάλετο - ephebaleto): The same verb used earlier, but here it indicates moving forward with a plan or taking further action.
- to arrest (Greek: συλλαβεῖν - syllabein): Means "to seize," "to arrest," or "to apprehend."
- Peter also (Greek: Πέτρον τε καὶ - Petron te kai): "Te kai" is a strong conjunction meaning "both...and." It shows Peter was arrested in addition to James, highlighting the deliberate targeting of prominent apostles.
- This (Greek: οὗτος - houtos): Refers to the arrest of Peter.
- happened (Greek: ἦν - ēn): Indicates the occurrence.
- during (Greek: ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις τῶν ἀζύμων - en tais hēmerais tōn azymōn): "In the days of the unleavened bread." This specifically refers to the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which immediately followed Passover and lasted for seven days. This timing was significant as it was a major festival when Jerusalem would be crowded, and it was also a period of intense religious observance and potential unrest.
Acts 12 2 Bonus Section
The phrasing "laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church" indicates a broader pattern of persecution against the nascent Christian community, not just isolated incidents. James's execution and Peter's arrest represent a systematic effort to dismantle the leadership and impact of the church. The timing of the Feast of Unleavened Bread was a period when observant Jews were ritually cleansed and attentive to religious matters, making it a strategic time for Herod to project his authority and compliance with Jewish sensitivities. The early church’s resilience and continued growth in the face of such violent opposition demonstrate the power of their faith and the divine protection they experienced.
Acts 12 2 Commentary
Herod Agrippa I's decision to arrest Peter after executing James was a calculated move to gain political favor with the Jewish authorities. By arresting Peter during the Feast of Unleavened Bread, he aimed to ensure maximum visibility and public support for his actions. The use of the passive "it was pleasing to the Jews" suggests Herod was acting on a perceived sentiment rather than direct command, demonstrating his political acumen in navigating the complex religious and social landscape of Judea. This act of persecution highlights the ongoing conflict between the burgeoning Christian movement and the established Jewish leadership, exacerbated by Roman political influence. Herod’s intention to publicly try Peter after Passover underscores his desire to make an example of the apostle, aiming to suppress the growing influence of the Gospel.