Acts 12:1

1 Now, about that time, Herod the king made cruel attacks on the Christians.

Acts 12:1 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 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 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.

Acts 12:1 In-Context

1 Now, about that time, Herod the king made cruel attacks on the Christians.

2 And he put James, the brother of John, to death with the sword.

3 And when he saw that this was pleasing to the Jews he went on to take Peter in addition. This was at the time of the feast of unleavened bread.

4 And having taken him, he put him in prison, with four bands of armed men to keep watch over him; his purpose being to take him out to the people after the Passover.

5 So Peter was kept in prison: but the church made strong prayer to God for him.