1About that time Herod the king laid hands on some from the assembly to mistreat them. [12:2] He killed James the brother of John with the sword. [12:3] When he saw that it was pleasing to the Jews, he proceeded also to arrest Peter — these were the days of Unleavened Bread — [12:4] and after seizing him he put him in prison, handing him over to four sets of four soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him up before the people.
ACT 12:1-4
James Killed, Peter Imprisoned
In the world it was spoken into
In the early 1st century, Herod Agrippa I, a client king of Rome, ruled Judea with a delicate balance of Roman authority and Jewish favor. His execution of James, the brother of John, aligns with Roman practices of suppressing perceived threats to political stability, particularly within Jewish factions. The use of the sword as the method of execution reflects Roman judicial practices for capital punishment. Herod’s decision to imprison Peter during the Feast of Unleavened Bread was strategic, as Jewish festivals drew large crowds and heightened tensions. The assignment of four squads of four soldiers to guard Peter underscores Roman military precision and the high-security status of political prisoners. Herod’s actions were calculated to please the Jewish leaders, demonstrating his alignment with their interests to maintain his fragile authority. This context reveals the intersection of Roman political control, Jewish religious dynamics, and the precarious position of the early Christian community.
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How other translations render this
ACT 12:1
- KJV
- Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.
- BSB
- About that time, King Herod reached out to harm some who belonged to the church.
- Koinōnos
- About that time Herod the king laid hands on some from the assembly to mistreat them.
ACT 12:2
- KJV
- And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
- BSB
- He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.
- Koinōnos
- He killed James the brother of John with the sword.
ACT 12:3
- KJV
- And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)
- BSB
- And seeing that this pleased the Jews, Herod proceeded to seize Peter during the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
- Koinōnos
- When he saw that it was pleasing to the Jews, he proceeded also to arrest Peter — these were the days of Unleavened Bread —
ACT 12:4
- KJV
- And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.
- BSB
- He arrested him and put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out to the people after the Passover.
- Koinōnos
- and after seizing him he put him in prison, handing him over to four sets of four soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him up before the people.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
ACT 12:1
- time:The word translated 'time' here refers to a specific, opportune, or appointed time, rather than just a general span of chronological time.
- to mistreat:The word translated 'to mistreat' implies causing harm, distress, or affliction, often with a sense of deliberate malice or abuse.
ACT 12:3
- that:The word translated 'that' in this context carries the sense of something being pleasing, agreeable, or acceptable to someone.
ACT 12:4
- sets of four:The term 'sets of four' specifically refers to a Roman military guard unit, typically consisting of four soldiers.