121 It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them.
121 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.
121 About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church.
121 That's when King Herod got it into his head to go after some of the church members.
121 Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church.
121 About that time King Herod Agrippa began to persecute some believers in the church.
2 He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.
2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
2 He killed James the brother of John with the sword,
2 He murdered James, John's brother.
2 Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
2 He had the apostle James (John's brother) killed with a sword.
(Read Acts 12:1-5)
James was one of the sons of Zebedee, whom Christ told that they should drink of the cup that he was to drink of, and be baptized with the baptism that he was to be baptized with, Matthew 20:23. Now the words of Christ were made good in him; and if we suffer with Christ, we shall reign with him. Herod imprisoned Peter: the way of persecution, as of other sins, is downhill; when men are in it, they cannot easily stop. Those make themselves an easy prey to Satan, who make it their business to please men. Thus James finished his course. But Peter, being designed for further services, was safe; though he seemed now marked out for a speedy sacrifice. We that live in a cold, prayerless generation, can hardly form an idea of the earnestness of these holy men of old. But if the Lord should bring on the church an awful persecution like this of Herod, the faithful in Christ would learn what soul-felt prayer is.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 12:1
Commentary on Acts 12:1-5
(Read Acts 12:1-5)
James was one of the sons of Zebedee, whom Christ told that they should drink of the cup that he was to drink of, and be baptized with the baptism that he was to be baptized with, Matthew 20:23. Now the words of Christ were made good in him; and if we suffer with Christ, we shall reign with him. Herod imprisoned Peter: the way of persecution, as of other sins, is downhill; when men are in it, they cannot easily stop. Those make themselves an easy prey to Satan, who make it their business to please men. Thus James finished his course. But Peter, being designed for further services, was safe; though he seemed now marked out for a speedy sacrifice. We that live in a cold, prayerless generation, can hardly form an idea of the earnestness of these holy men of old. But if the Lord should bring on the church an awful persecution like this of Herod, the faithful in Christ would learn what soul-felt prayer is.