Acts 12:3

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:1-25

Imprisonment of Peter. Death of Herod1-19. Persecution of the Church at Jerusalem by Herod. Martyrdom of James the son of Zebedee. Peter’s imprisonment and miraculous release. The Church was persecuted (1) by the Sadducees and chief priests, Acts 4:1; Acts 5:17; (2) afterwards by the Pharisees, Acts 6:11. and now (3) by the king of the Jews. Not till later was persecution to come from the Romans.1. About that time] viz. when relief was sent to the Church of Jerusalem (Acts 11:29-30). The death... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Acts 12:3

(3) Because he saw it pleased the Jews.—This was throughout the ruling policy of the Herodian house. The persecution did not spring from any fanatic zeal against the new faith, but simply from motives of political expediency. A somewhat touching incident is recorded, illustrating the king’s sensitiveness to popular praise or blame. It was at the Feast of Tabernacles, and the Law was read, and he heard the words of Deuteronomy 17:15 : “Thou shalt not set a stranger over thee,” and he burst into... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Acts 12:1-25

The Martyrdom of St. James (For St. James the Apostle's Day) Acts 12:2 I. The close of St. James' career reminds us that the Bible, as a rule, does not dwell so much upon the persons of those who worked with the Lord as upon the work which they were instrumental in bringing out. The author of the Acts of the Apostles reminds us that, in the former treatise which he wrote, he set forth all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day He was taken up; and surely this second book might be... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Acts 12:1-3

Chapter 8THE DEFEAT OF PRIDE.Acts 12:1-3; Acts 12:23-24THE chapter at which we have now arrived is very important from a chronological point of view, as it brings the sacred narrative into contact with the affairs of the external world concerning which we have independent knowledge. The history of the Christian Church and of the outside world for the first time clearly intersect, and we thus gain a fixed point of time to which we can refer. This chronological character of the twelfth chapter of... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Acts 12:1-25

CHAPTER 12 1. The great Persecution by Herod Agrippa I (Acts 12:1-5 ). 2. The miraculous deliverance of Peter (Acts 12:6-17 ). 3. The Presumption and Judgment of Herod (Acts 12:18-23 ). 4. Barnabas and Saul returning to Jerusalem (Acts 12:24-25 ). With this chapter we reach the conclusion of the second part of this book. Jerusalem had heard the second offer concerning the Kingdom, and mercy was ready even for the murderers of the Prince of Life. But that offer was rejected. Stephen’s... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Acts 12:3

12:3 {2} And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)(2) It is an old habit of tyrants to attain the favour of the wicked, with the blood of the godly. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:1-25

For a brief time again our eyes are turned toward Jerusalem and Peter, though Peter's work is no longer taking the prominent place it did at the beginning. Being the apostle to the Jews, he manifestly stands for the work of God among the Jewish people, and we are here reminded that though the Gospel is seen now to be going out to the Gentiles, God has not forgotten His people Israel. Another Herod had taken the place of the previous one, and deciding to take the initiative in persecuting the... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Acts 12:1-25

THE CHURCH AT ANTIOCH By connecting the first verse of this lesson with Acts 8:4 , it will be seen that all intervening is a parenthesis, an important one indeed, but making it necessary now to return to the martyrdom of Stephen for a new start. Be sure to consult a map for the localities in Acts 11:19-20 . Antioch, now coming into prominence as the headquarters of the Gentile church, was a beautiful and influential city, but luxurious and immoral. It was founded about 300 B.C. Saul’s great... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Acts 12:1-11

Chapter 31 Prayer Almighty God, we know not what we read in thy book except thou dost teach us its meaning by thy Spirit. We have heard the letter and its music is in our ears, but we would hear the inner meaning of every word spoken to the heart itself, then shall we, though on earth, be really in heaven. Thy word is the same there as it is here, only we do not read it well. We know not all its compass. We do not yield ourselves with thankful delight to the sway and inspiration of its... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Acts 12:1-3

Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. (2) And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. (3) And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) If the Reader at the opening of this Chapter, will consult the Poor Man's Commentary on Matthew 2:19 ; he will there observe, that this Herod was the fourth of that name, whose awful histories are shortly mentioned in the... read more