Acts 12:1

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth [his] hands to vex certain of the church.

Complete Jewish Bible:

It was around this time that King Herod began arresting and persecuting certain members of the Messianic community;

Berean Standard Bible:

About that time, King Herod reached out to harm some who belonged to the church.

American Standard Version:

Now about that time Herod the king put forth his hands to afflict certain of the church.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Now^{G1161} about^{G2596} that^{G1565} time^{G2540} Herod^{G2264} the king^{G935} stretched forth^{G1911} his hands^{G5495} to vex^{G2559} certain^{G5100} of^{G575} the church^{G1577}.

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Commentary for Acts 12:1

Acts 12:1 sets the stage for a pivotal event in the early Christian church, reflecting the themes of persecution and divine intervention. The verse introduces King Herod Agrippa I, a grandson of Herod the Great, who ruled over Judea from 41 to 44 AD. Herod Agrippa I was known for his efforts to appease the Jewish population and solidify his power by aligning with Jewish customs and laws. The verse describes him as initiating a period of harassment or violence against the early Christian community, which is part of a broader pattern of persecution seen throughout the New Testament.

The historical context of this verse is rooted in the tumultuous political landscape of Judea under Roman rule. The early Christians, who were initially seen as a sect within Judaism, faced increasing hostility as their message diverged from traditional Jewish beliefs and practices. Herod's actions against the church are indicative of the political strategy to suppress any potential threats to Roman authority and to maintain peace by curtailing religious dissent.

In summary, Acts 12:1 captures a moment of escalating tension between the early Christian church and the ruling authorities, highlighting the vulnerability of the fledgling religious movement. Herod's campaign of persecution is both a reflection of the political maneuvering of the time and a prelude to the miraculous deliverance of the apostles, which unfolds in the subsequent narrative, underscoring the New Testament's recurring motif of God's protection over His people in the face of adversity.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G1161
   There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δέ
   Transliteration: dé
   Pronunciation: deh
   Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
   
2. Strong's Number: G2596
   There are 436 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: κατά
   Transliteration: katá
   Pronunciation: kat-ah'
   Description: a primary particle; (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined):--about, according as (to), after, against, (when they were) X alone, among, and, X apart, (even, like) as (concerning, pertaining to touching), X aside, at, before, beyond, by, to the charge of, (charita-)bly, concerning, + covered, (dai-)ly, down, every, (+ far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for, from … to, godly, in(-asmuch, divers, every, -to, respect of), … by, after the manner of, + by any means, beyond (out of) measure, X mightily, more, X natural, of (up-)on (X part), out (of every), over against, (+ your) X own, + particularly, so, through(-oughout, -oughout every), thus, (un-)to(-gether, -ward), X uttermost, where(-by), with. In composition it retains many of these applications, and frequently denotes opposition, distribution, or intensity.
   
3. Strong's Number: G1565
   There are 244 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐκεῖνος
   Transliteration: ekeînos
   Pronunciation: ek-i'-nos
   Description: from ἐκεῖ; that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed:--he, it, the other (same), selfsame, that (same, very), X their, X them, they, this, those. See also οὗτος.
   
4. Strong's Number: G2540
   There are 82 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καιρός
   Transliteration: kairós
   Pronunciation: kahee-ros'
   Description: of uncertain affinity; an occasion, i.e. set or proper time:--X always, opportunity, (convenient, due) season, (due, short, while) time, a while. Compare χρόνος.
   
5. Strong's Number: G2264
   There are 41 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: Ἡρώδης
   Transliteration: Hērṓdēs
   Pronunciation: hay-ro'-dace
   Description: compound of (a "hero") and εἶδος; heroic; Herod, the name of four Jewish kings:--Herod.
   
6. Strong's Number: G935
   There are 107 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: βασιλεύς
   Transliteration: basileús
   Pronunciation: bas-il-yooce'
   Description: probably from βάσις (through the notion of a foundation of power); a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively):--king.
   
7. Strong's Number: G1911
   There are 18 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐπιβάλλω
   Transliteration: epibállō
   Pronunciation: ep-ee-bal'-lo
   Description: from ἐπί and βάλλω; to throw upon (literal or figurative, transitive or reflexive; usually with more or less force); specially (with ἑαυτοῦ implied) to reflect; impersonally, to belong to:--beat into, cast (up-)on, fall, lay (on), put (unto), stretch forth, think on.
   
8. Strong's Number: G5495
   There are 171 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: χείρ
   Transliteration: cheír
   Pronunciation: khire
   Description: perhaps from the base of χειμών in the sense of its congener the base of χάσμα (through the idea of hollowness for grasping); the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by Hebraism) a means or instrument):--hand.
   
9. Strong's Number: G2559
   There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: κακόω
   Transliteration: kakóō
   Pronunciation: kak-o'-o
   Description: from κακός; to injure; figuratively, to exasperate:--make evil affected, entreat evil, harm, hurt, vex.
   
10. Strong's Number: G5100
    There are 419 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: τὶς
    Transliteration: tìs
    Pronunciation: tis
    Description: an enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object:--a (kind of), any (man, thing, thing at all), certain (thing), divers, he (every) man, one (X thing), ought, + partly, some (man, -body, - thing, -what), (+ that no-)thing, what(-soever), X wherewith, whom(-soever), whose(-soever).
    
11. Strong's Number: G575
    There are 1465 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀπό
    Transliteration: apó
    Pronunciation: apo'
    Description: a primary particle; "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative):--(X here-)after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space of), for(-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-)on(-ce), since, with. In composition (as a prefix) it usually denotes separation, departure, cessation, completion, reversal, etc.
    
12. Strong's Number: G1577
    There are 115 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐκκλησία
    Transliteration: ekklēsía
    Pronunciation: ek-klay-see'-ah
    Description: from a compound of ἐκ and a derivative of καλέω; a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both):--assembly, church.