Acts 12:1

1 And in the same time Herod the king sent power, to torment some men of the church. [+Forsooth in the same time, Herod the king sent hands, to torment some men of the church.]

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 And in the same time Herod the king sent power, to torment some men of the church. [+Forsooth in the same time, Herod the king sent hands, to torment some men of the church.]

2 And he slew by sword James, the brother of John.

3 And he saw that it pleased to the Jews, and cast to take also Peter; and the days of therf loaves were.

4 And when he had caught Peter, he sent him into prison; and betook him to four quaternions of knights, to keep him, and would after pask bring him forth to the people [willing after pask to bring him forth to the people].

5 And Peter was kept in prison; but prayer was made of the church without ceasing to God for him.