Acts 12:1

← Acts 12:2 →

Acts 12:1 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

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

King James Version KJV

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

American Standard Version ASV

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

Bible in Basic English BBE

Now, about that time, Herod the king made cruel attacks on the Christians.

Free Bible Version FBV

Around this time King Herod began to persecute some members of the church.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Nowe about that time, Herod the King stretched forth his hands to vexe certaine of the Church,

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And about that time, Herod the king put forth his hands, to do evil to certain of those of the assembly,

World English Bible WEB

Now about that time, King Herod stretched out his hands to oppress some of the assembly.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

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

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And at the same time, Herod the king stretched forth his hands, to afflict some of the church.

Translation for Translators T4T

It was about this time that King Herod Agrippa sent soldiers [MTY] who seized and put in prison some of the leaders of the congregation in Jerusalem. He did that because he wanted to make the believers suffer.

Plain English Version PEV

In Jerusalem, at that time, the big boss was called Herod. He told his soldiers to grab some of the Christians.

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

Enable Study Highlights

God & Jesus

Holy Spirit

Divine Actions

Repeated Words

Berean Amplified Bible — Acts 12:1

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Acts 12:1 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK κατ εκεινον δε τον καιρον επεβαλεν ηρωδης ο βασιλευς τας χειρας κακωσαι τινας των απο της εκκλησιας

κατ kata G2596 according to Prep

εκεινον ekeinos G1565 that Dem-ASM

δε de G1161 then Conj

τον ho G3588 the/this/who Art-ASM

καιρον kairos G2540 time/right time Noun-ASM

επεβαλεν epiballō G1911 to put on/seize Verb-2AAI-3S

ηρωδης Hērōdēs G2264 Herod Noun-NSM

ο ho G3588 the/this/who Art-NSM

βασιλευς basileus G935 king Noun-NSM

τας ho G3588 the/this/who Art-APF

χειρας cheir G5495 hand Noun-APF

κακωσαι kakoō G2559 to harm Verb-AAN

τινας tis G5100 one Indef-APM

των ho G3588 the/this/who Art-GPM

απο apo G575 away from Prep

της ho G3588 the/this/who Art-GSF

εκκλησιας ekklēsia G1577 assembly Noun-GSF

Greek Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.

Greek Word Reference — Acts 12:1

κατ kata G2596 "according to" Prep

According to means following or matching something. In the Bible, it's used to talk about things happening in line with God's plan or will, like in Matthew 8:32 and Mark 5:13.

Definition: κατά (bef. a vowel κατ᾽, καθ᾽; on the frequently neglect of elision, see Tdf., Pr., 95; WH, App., 146a), prep. with genitive, accusative, down, downwards. __I. C. genitive (WM, §47, k; Bl., §42, 2). __1. C. genitive of thing(s), in local sense; __(a) down, down from: Mat.8:32, Mrk.5:13, Luk.8:33, 1Co.11:4; __(b) throughout (late usage; Bl, l.with): κ. ὅλης κ.τ.λ., Luk.4:14 23:5, Act.9:31 10:37; __(with) in a peculiar adjectival phrase: ἡ κ. βάθους, deep or extreme poverty, 2Co.8:2. __ __2. C. genitive of person(s), usually in hostile sense; __(a) against (in cl. only after verbs of speaking, witnessing, etc.): opposite to ὑπέρ, Mrk.9:40; μετά, Mat.12:30; after ἐπιθυμεῖν, Gal.5:17; λαλεῖν, Act.6:13; διδάσκειν, Act.21:28; ψεύδεσθαι, Jas.3:14; after verbs of accusing, etc., Mat.5:23, Luk.23:14, Rom.8:33, al.; verbs of fighting, prevailing, etc., Mat.10:35, Act.14:2, 1Co.4:6, al.; __(b) of swearing, by: όμνυμι κ. (BL, §34, 1), He 6:13,16, cf. Mat.26:63. __II. C. accusative (WM, §49d; BL, §42, 2). __1. Of motion or direction; __(a) through, throughout: Luk.8:39 9:6 10:4, Act.8:1, 36 al.; __(b) to, towards, over against: Luk.10:32 (Field, Notes, 62), Act.2:1o 16:7, Gal.2:11, Php.3:14, al.; __ __(with) in adverbial phrases, at, in, by, of: κατ᾽ οἶκον, at home, Act.2:46; κατ᾽ ἰδίαν (see: ἴδιος); καθ᾽ ἑαυτόν, Act.28:16, Rom.14:22, Jas.2:17; with pron. of person(s), Act.17:28 18:15, Rom.1:15, Eph.1:15, al. __2. Of time, at, during, about: Act.8:26 12:1 19:23, Rom.9:9 Heb.1:10, al. __3. Distributive; __(a) of place: κ. τόποὐς, Mat.24:7, al.; κ. πόλιν, Luk.8:1, 4 al.; κ. ἐκκλησίαν, Act.14:23. __(b) of time: κ. ἔτος, Luk.2:41; ἑορτήν, Mat.27:15, al.; __(with) of numbers, etc.: καθ᾽ ἕνα πάντες, 1Co.14:31 (on καθ᾽ εἷς, see: εἷς); κ. ἑκατόν, Mrk.6:40; κ. μέρος, Heb.9:5; κ. ὄνομα, Jhn.10:3. __4. Of fitness, reference, conformity, etc.; __(a) in relation to, concerning: Rom.1:3, 4 7:22 9:3, 5, 1Co.12:6 10:18, Php.1:12; κ. πάντα, Act.17:22, Col.3:20, 22 Heb.2:17 4:15; __(b) according to, after, like: Mrk.7:5, Luk.2:27, 29 Jhn.7:24 Rom.8:4 14:15, Eph.2:2, Col.2:8, Jas.2:8, al. __III. In composition, κ. denotes, __1. down, down from (καταβαίνω), etc.), hence, metaphorically; __(a) victory or rule over (καταδουλόω, -κυριεύω, etc.); __(b) "perfective" action (M, Pr., 111ff.). __2. under (κατακαλύπτω), etc.). __3. in succession (καθεξῆς). __4. after, behind (καταλείπω). __5. Hostility, against (καταλαλέω). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 435 NT verses. KJV: 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 See also: 1 Corinthians 1:26; Acts 10:37; 1 Peter 1:2.

εκεινον ekeinos G1565 "that" Dem-ASM

This word means 'that one' or 'that thing', as in Luke 18:14. It's used to point out a specific person or object. In the Bible, it helps distinguish between different things or people.

Definition: ἐκεῖνος, -η, -ο (ἐκεῖ), [in LXX chiefly for הַהוּא ,הוּא, and cogn. forms ;] demonstr. pron., that person or thing (ille), implying remoteness as compared with οὗτος (hic); __1. absol., emphatic he, she, it: opposite to οὗτος, Luk.18:14, Jas.4:15; ἡμεῖς, Heb.12:25; ὑμεῖς, Mrk.4:11; ἄλλοι, Jhn.9:9; ἐγώ, Jhn.3:30; to persons named, Mk 16:[10, 13, 20], Jhn.2:21; of one (absent) who is not named, contemptuously (Abbott, JG, §§2385, 2732), Jhn.7:11 9:28; with respect, of Christ, 1Jo.2:6 3:3, al.; referring to a preceding noun, Mrk.16:[10], Jhn.7:45; resumption of a participial subject, Jhn.1:33 9:37 10:1, Rom.14:14, al. (on its reference in Jhn.19:35, see Westc, in l.; Moffatt, Intr., 568; Sanday, Fourth Gospel, 77ff.). __2. As adj., joined, like οὗτος, to a noun with the article: Mat.7:25, Mrk.3:24, Jhn.18:15, al.; esp. of time, past or future: ἐν τ. ἡμέραις ἐ., Mat.3:1, Mrk.1:9, Act.2:18" (LXX), al.; ἐν ἐ. τ. ἡμέρᾳ, esp of the Parousia, Mat.7:22, Luk.6:23, 2Th.1:10, 2Ti.1:12; adverbially, ἐκεινής (sc. ὁδοῦ) = cl. ἐκεινῇ (Bl., §36, 13), that way, Luk.19:4. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 247 NT verses. KJV: he, it, the other (same), selfsame, that (same, very), X their, X them, they, this, those See also: 1 Corinthians 9:25; John 11:53; Hebrews 3:10.

δε de G1161 "then" Conj

This is a conjunction that means and, but, or then, used to connect ideas like in Matthew 1:2 and 2 Corinthians 6:15.

Definition: δέ (before vowels δ᾽; on the general neglect of the elision in NT, see WH, App., 146; Tdf., Pr., 96), post-positive conjunctive particle; __1. copulative, but, in the next place, and, now (Abbott, JG, 104): Mat.1:2ff., 2Co.6:15, 16, 2Pe.1:5-7; in repetition for emphasis, Rom.3:21, 22, 9:30, 1Co.2:6, Gal.2:2, Php.2:8; in transition to something new, Mat.1:18, 2:19, Luk.13:1, Jhn.7:14, Act.6:1, Rom.8:28, 1Co.7:1 8:1, al.; in explanatory parenthesis or addition, Jhn.3:19, Rom.5:8, 1Co.1:12, Eph.2:4, 5:32, al.; ὡς δέ, Jhn.2:9; καὶ . . . δέ, but also, Mat.10:18, Luk.1:76, Jhn.6:51, Rom.11:23, al.; καὶ ἐὰν δέ, yea even if, Jhn.8:16. __2. Adversative, but, on the other hand, prop., answering to a foregoing μέν (which see), and distinguishing a word or clause from one preceding (in NT most frequently without μέν; Bl., §77, 12): ἐὰν δέ, Mat.6:14, 23, al.; ἐγὼ (σὺ, etc.) δέ, Mat.5:22, 6:6, Mrk.8:29, al.; ὁ δέ, αὐτὸς δέ, Mrk.1:45, Luk.4:40, al.; after a negation, Mat.6:19, 20, Rom.3:4, 1Th.5:21, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2552 NT verses. KJV: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Peter 1:7.

τον ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-ASM

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

καιρον kairos G2540 "time/right time" Noun-ASM

This word means the right time or opportunity, like in Matthew 11:25 and Mark 1:15. It refers to a specific moment or season, often related to God's plan. It helps us understand timing and purpose.

Definition: καιρός, -οῦ, ὁ [in LXX chiefly for עֵת, also for מוֹעֵד, etc. ;] __1. due measure, fitness, proportion (Eur., Xen., al.). __2. Of Time (cl. also) in the sense of a fixed and definite period, time, season (Kennedy, Sources, 153): Mat.11:25, Mrk.1:15, Luk.21:8, Rom.13:11, Eph.6:18, Heb.11:15, 1Pe.1:5 1:11 Rev.1:3, al.; with genitive, πειρασμοῦ Luk.8:13; τ. καρπῶν, Mat.21:34; σύκων, Mrk.11:13; pl., Mat.21:41; χρόνοι ἢ (καὶ) κ., Act.1:7, 1Th.5:1; ἐθνῶν, Luk.21:24; of opportune or seasonable time, Act.24:25, Gal.6:10, Eph.5:16, Col.4:5; with inf., Heb.11:15; ὁ κ. οὗτος, Mrk.10:30, Luk.18:30; ὁ νῦν κ. (Dalman, Words, 148), Rom.8:18; ὁ κ. ὁ ἐμός, Jhn.7:6; κ. δεκτῲ, 2Co.6:2 (LXX); δουλεύειν τῷ κ., Rom.12:11, R, mg.; τ. σημεῖα τῶν κ., Mat.16:3; adverbial usages: ἐν κ., Mat.24:45, 1Pe.5:6 (cf. καιρῷ, Luk.20:10; τῷ κ., Mrk.12:2); ἄχρι καιροῦ, Luk.4:13; πρὸς καιρόν, Luk.8:13, 1Co.7:5; κατὰ καιρόν, Rom.5:6; πρὸ καιροῦ, Mat.8:29 SYN.: (χρόνος) time in the sense of duration (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 81 NT verses. KJV: X always, opportunity, (convenient, due) season, (due, short, while) time, a while See also: 1 Corinthians 4:5; John 7:6; 1 Peter 1:5.

επεβαλεν epiballō G1911 "to put on/seize" Verb-2AAI-3S

To put something on or seize it, like putting a hand on someone in Matthew 26:50 or laying hands on them in Acts 5:18. It can also mean to reflect on something or think about it, as in considering our actions.

Definition: ἐπι-βάλλω [in LXX for שָׁלַח, שִׁית, etc. ;] __1. trans., to cast, lay or put upon: with accusative and dative, Mrk.11:7, 1Co.7:35; with accusative, before ἐπί with accusative, Rev.18:10, WH, mg.; τ. Χεῖρα (-ας) ἐπί (B1., § 37, 7), of seizing a prisoner, Mat.26:50, Luk.20:19 21:12, Jhn.7:30, Act.5:18 21:27; with dative (Polyb.), Mrk.14:46 Act.4:3; with inf., Act.12:1; τὴν χ. ἐπ᾽ ἄροτρον, Luk.9:62; ἐπίβλημα ἐπὶ ἱμάτιον, Luk.5:36; ἐπὶ ἱματίῳ, Mat.9:16. __2. Intrans., __(a) to throw oneself or rush upon: τ. κύματα εἰς τ. πλοῖον, Mrk.4:37; metaphorically, to put one's mind upon (but see Field, Notes, 41 ff.), ἐπιβαλὼν ἔκλαιεν, when he thought thereon (sc. τ. ῥήματι), he wept (EV, txt.; R, mg., he began to weep; cf. M, Pr., 131): Mrk.14:72 (see also Swete, in l); __(b) to fall to one's share: τὸ ἐπιβάλλον (sc. dative; Hdt., a1., a technical formula frequently in π.; Deiss., BS, 230, LAE, 152), Luk.15:12.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 18 NT verses. KJV: beat into, cast (up-)on, fall, lay (on), put (unto), stretch forth, think on See also: 1 Corinthians 7:35; Luke 15:12; Matthew 26:50.

ηρωδης Hērōdēs G2264 "Herod" Noun-NSM

Herod refers to four Jewish kings, including Herod the Great, who appears in Matthew 2:1-23 and Acts 23:35. The name means heroic and is associated with the Herod dynasty. Herod Antipas and Herod Agrippa I are also mentioned in the Bible.

Definition: Ἡρῴδης (Rec. -ώδης), -ου, ὁ Herod; __1. Herod the Great: Mat.2:1-23, Act.23:35. __2. Herod Antipas (ὁ τετραάρχης, Mat.14:1): Mat.14:1, 3 14:6, Mrk.6:1-56, Mrk.8:15, Luk.1:5 3:1, 19 8:3 9:7, 9 13:31, 23, Act.4:27 13:1. __3. Herod Agrippa I: Act.12:1, 6 12:11, 19 12:21 (cf. Ἀγρίππας (II)).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 41 NT verses. KJV: Herod See also: Acts 4:27; Luke 23:15; Matthew 14:6.

ο ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-NSM

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

βασιλευς basileus G935 "king" Noun-NSM

A king is a sovereign ruler, as described in Matthew 1:6 and 2:1. This term is used for human rulers, like Herod, and for God as the ultimate king.

Definition: βασιλεύς, -έως, ὁ, [in LXX chiefly for מֶלֶךְ ;] a king: Mat.1:6 2:1; used by courtesy of Herod the Tetrarch, Mat.14:9; of the Roman Emperor, as frequently in κοινή (Deiss., LAE, p. 367), 1Pe.2:13, 17; of the Christ, in the phrase ὁ β. τ. Ἰουδαίων, Mat.2:2, al.; τοῦ Ἰσραήλ, Mrk.15:32, Jhn.1:50 12:13; of God, Mat.5:35, 1Ti.1:17, Rev.15:3; β. βασιλέων, Rev.17:14 19:16; β. τ. βασιλευόντων, 1Ti.6:15 (on the associations of the word to Jewish Hellenists, see Cl. Rev., i, 7).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 105 NT verses. KJV: king See also: 1 Peter 2:13; Luke 23:38; 1 Peter 2:17.

τας ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-APF

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

χειρας cheir G5495 "hand" Noun-APF

The word for hand in Greek can be literal or figurative, referring to power or instrument, as seen in Matthew 3:12 and 1 Corinthians 16:21. It is often used to describe a means of action or a symbol of authority, and is sometimes used in phrases that are similar to Hebrew constructions.

Definition: χείρ, genitive, χειρος (accusative, χεῖραν, 1Pe.5:6 T), ἡ, [in LXX chiefly for יָד ;] the hand: Mat.3:12, Mrk.3:1, Luk.6:6, al. mult.; ἡ χ., acting subject, Luk.22:21; pl., Act.17:25 20:34, 1Jn.1:1; τ. ἔργα τῶν χ., Act.7:41, Rev.9:20; ὁ ἀσπασμὸς τ. ἐμῇ χ., 1Co.16:21, Col.4:18, 2Th.3:17; prepositional phrases, esp. those without art., similar to Heb. constructions (Bl., §32, 4; 40, 9; 46, 9), ἐν χ.; with genitive (Lft., in l.), Gal.3:19; σὺν χ. ἀγγέλου, Act.7:35; διὰ (τῶν) χειρῶν (διὰ χειρός), Mrk.6:2, Act.5:12 7:25, al.; ἐπὶ χειρῶν, Mat.4:6, Luk.4:11; ellipse of χ. (ἡ δεξία, ἀριστερα; Bl., §44, 1), Mat.6:3, al. By meton., for the power or activity of an individual, Mat.17:22, Mrk.9:31, Luk.9:31, Jhn.10:39, Act.12:11, al.; metaphorically, of the activity or power of God: Luk.1:66 23:46, Jhn.10:29, Act.11:21 13:11, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 168 NT verses. KJV: hand See also: 1 Corinthians 4:12; Luke 4:11; 1 Peter 5:6.

κακωσαι kakoō G2559 "to harm" Verb-AAN

To harm or injure, this word describes causing someone evil. It appears in Acts 7:6 and 1 Peter 3:13, describing affliction. It is often translated as 'harm' or 'hurt'.

Definition: κακόω, -ῶ (κακός), [in LXX chiefly for רָעַע hi., עָנָה pi. ;] __1. to ill-treat, afflict, distress: with accusative of person(s), Act.7:6, 19 12:1 18:10, 1Pe.3:13. __2. (not in cl.), to embitter (Psa.106:32): Act.14:2,† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 6 NT verses. KJV: make evil affected, entreat evil, harm, hurt, vex See also: 1 Peter 3:13; Acts 12:1; Acts 18:10.

τινας tis G5100 "one" Indef-APM

This pronoun refers to a person or thing in a general sense, as seen in Luke 9:49 and John 11:1. It can mean someone, anyone, or anything. This term is often used to describe an unspecified individual or object.

Definition: τις, neut., τι, genitive, τινός, enclitic indefinite pron., related to interrog. τίς as πού, πως, ποτέ to ποῦ, πῶς, πότε. __I. As subst., __1. one, a certain one: Luk.9:49, Jhn.11:1, Act.5:25, al.; pl., τίνες, certain, some: Luk.13:1, Act.15:1, Rom.3:8, al. __2. someone, anyone, something, anything: Mat.12:29, Mrk.9:30, Luk.8:46, Jhn.2:25, Act.17:25, Rom.5:7, al.; = indef., one (French on), Mrk.8:4, Jhn.2:25, Rom.8:24, al.; pl., τινες, some, Mrk.14:4, al. __II. II. As adj., __1. a certain: Mat.18:12, Luk.1:5 8:27, Act.3:2, al.; with proper names, Mrk.15:21, Luk.23:26, al.; with genitive partit., Luk.7:19, al. __2. some: Mrk.16:[8], Jhn.5:14, Act.17:21 24:24, Heb.11:40, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 490 NT verses. KJV: 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) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:15; 2 Corinthians 12:17; 1 Peter 2:19.

των ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-GPM

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

απο apo G575 "away from" Prep

This word means moving away from something, like a place or a time. It's used in many parts of the Bible, like Matthew 5:29 and Luke 5:2, to show movement or separation. It can also mean because of something.

Definition: ἀπό (on the frequently neglect of elision bef. vowels, see Tdf., Pr., 94, WH, App., 146), prep. with genitive (WM, 462ff.; on its relation to ἐκ, παρά, ὑπό, ib. 456f.), [in LXX for לְ ,בְּ ,מִן ;] from (i.e. from the exterior). __1. Of separation and cessation; __(1) of motion from a place: Mat.5:29, 30 7:23, Luk.5:2 22:41, al.; __(2) in partitive sense (M, Pr., 72, 102, 245; MM, see word; Bl., §40, 2), Mat.9:16 27:21, Jhn.21:10, Act.5:2, al.; also after verbs of eating, etc.; __(3) of alienation (cl. genitive of separation), after such verbs as λούω (Deiss., BS, 227), λύω, σώζω, παύω, etc.; ἀνάθεμα ἀ., Rom.9:3; ἀποθνήσκειν ἀ., Col.2:20; σαλευθῆναι, 2Th.2:2, καθαρός, -ίζειν, ἀ. (Deiss., BS, 196, 216), Act.20:26, 2Co.7:1, Heb.9:14; __(4) of position, Mat.23:34 24:31, al.; after μακράν, Mat.8:30; transposed before measures of distance, Jhn.10:18 21:8, Rev.14:20 (Abbott, JG, 227); __(5) of time, ἀπὸ τ. ὥρας, ἡμέρας, etc., Mat.9:22, Jhn.19:27, Act.20:18, Php.1:5, al.; ἀπ᾽ αἰῶνος, Luk.1:70, al.; ἀπ᾽ ἀρχῆς, etc., Mat.19:4, Rom.1:20; ἀπὸ βρέφους, 2Ti.3:15; ἀφ᾽ ἧς, since, Luk.7:45, al.; ἀπὸ τ. νῦν, Luk.1:48, al.; ἀπὸ τότε, Mat.4:17, al.; ἀπὸ πέρυσι, a year ago, 2Co.8:10 9:2; ἀπὸ πρωΐ, Act.28:23; __(6) of order or rank, ἀπὸ διετοῦς, Mat.2:16; ἀπὸ Ἀβραάμ, Mat.1:17; ἐβδομος ἀπὸ Ἀδάμ, Ju 14; ἀπὸ μικροῦ ἕως μεγάλου, Act.8:10, Heb.8:11; ἄρχεσθαι ἀπό, Mat.20:8, Jhn.8:9, Act.8:35, al. __2. Of origin; __(1) of birth, extraction, and hence, in late writers, __(a) of local extraction (cl. ἐξ; Abbott, JG, 227ff.), Mat.21:11, Mrk.15:43, Jhn.1:45, Act.10:38, al.; οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας (WM, §66, 6; M, Pr., 237; Westc, Rendall, in l.), Heb.13:24; __(b) of membership in a community or society (BL, §40, 2), Act.12:1, al.; __(with) of material (= cl. genitive; Bl. l.with; M, Pr., 102), Mat.3:4 27:21; __(d) after verbs of asking, seeking, etc., Luk.11:50, 51 1Th.2:6 (Milligan, in l.); __(2) of the cause, instrument, means or occasion (frequently = ὑπό, παρά, and after verbs of learning, hearing, knowing, etc.; Bl., §40, 3), Mat.7:16 11:29, Luk.22:45, Act.2:22 4:36 9:13 12:14, 1Co.11:23, Gal.3:2, al.; ἀπὸ τ. ὄχλου, Luk.19:3 (cf. Jhn.21:6, Act.22:11); ἀπὸ τ. φόβου, Mat.14:26, al. (cf. Mat.10:26 13:44). __3. Noteworthy Hellenistic phrases: φοβεῖσθαι ἀπό (M, Pr., 102, 107); προσέχειν ἀπό (M, Pr., 11. with; Milligan, NTD, 50); ἀπὸ νότου (Heb. מִגֶּנֶב), Rev.21:13; ἀπὸ προσώπου (מִפְּנֵי), 2Th.1:9 (Bl., §40, 9); ἀπὸ τ. καρδιῶν (בְּלֵב), Mat.18:35; ἀπὸ ὁ ὤν (WM, §10, 2; M, Pr., 9), Rev.1:4. __4. In composition, ἀπό denotes separation, departure, origin, etc. (ἀπολύω, ἀπέρχομαι, ἀπογράφω); it also has a perfective force (M, Pr., 112, 247), as in ἀφικνεῖσθαι, which see (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 600 NT verses. KJV: (X here-)after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space of), for(-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-)on(-ce), since, with See also: 1 Corinthians 1:3; Acts 8:10; 1 Peter 1:12.

της ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-GSF

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

εκκλησιας ekklēsia G1577 "assembly" Noun-GSF

An assembly refers to a group of people gathered together for a common purpose, like a church or community, as seen in Acts 19:32 and Hebrews 2:12. This term is used to describe both Jewish and Christian communities.

Definition: ἐκκλησία, -ας, ἡ (ἐκ-καλέω), [in LXX chiefly for קָהָל, otherwise for one of its cogn. forms ;] __1. prop., an assembly of citizens regularly convened (in Thuc., ii, 22, opposite to σύλλογος, a concourse): Act.19:32, 39 41. __2. In LXX of the assembly, congregation, community of Israel (Deu.4:10 23:2, al.): Act.7:38, Heb.2:12" (LXX) . __3. NT, esp. of an assembly or company of Christians, a (the) church; __(a) of gatherings for worship: 1Co.11:18 14:19, 34 35; __(b) of local communities: Act.8:3, 1Co.4:17; with name added, Act.8:1, Rom.16:1, 1Th.1:1, al.; pl., Act.15:41, 1Co.7:17; τ. Χριστοῦ, Rom.16:16; τ. Ἀσίας, 1Co.16:19; τ. ἁγίων, 1Co.14:33; εἰπο]ν τ. ἐκκλησίᾳ, Mat.18:17 (but see Hort, Ecclesia, 10); of a house-congregation (DB, i, 431a), Rom.16:5, 1Co.16:19, Col.4:15, Phm 2; __(with) of the whole body of Christians: Mat.16:18, 1Co.12:28, Eph.1:22, Php.3:6, al.; τ. θεοῦ, Act.20:28 (Κυρίου, T, R, mg.), 1Co.15:9, Gal.1:13, 1Ti.3:15; ἐ. προτοτόκων ἀπογεγραμμένων ἐν οὐρανοῖς, Heb.12:23. SYN.: συναγωγή, which see (see Tr., Syn., §i; DB, i, 426; Hort, Ecclesia, esp. 4ff., 107ff.; Hamilton, People of God, ii, 37ff.; reff. s.vv. "Church," "Congregation," in DB and DCG; Cremer, 332). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 112 NT verses. KJV: assembly, church See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; Acts 15:41; Hebrews 2:12.

Study Notes — Acts 12:1

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Acts 12:1 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Acts 12:1
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Acts 12:1
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Acts 12:1
Trapp's Commentary on Acts 12:1
Ellicott's Commentary on Acts 12:1
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Acts 12:1
Cambridge Bible on Acts 12:1
Barnes' Notes on Acts 12:1
Whedon's Commentary on Acts 12:1
Sermons on Acts 12:1

Context — James Killed, Peter Imprisoned

1About that time, King Herod reached out to harm some who belonged to the church.

2He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. 3And seeing that this pleased the Jews, Herod proceeded to seize Peter during the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Matthew 24:9	Then they will deliver you over to be persecuted and killed, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.
2	John 15:20	Remember the word that I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they kept My word, they will keep yours as well.
3	Matthew 10:17–18	But beware of men; for they will hand you over to their councils and flog you in their synagogues. On My account, you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.
4	John 16:2	They will put you out of the synagogues. In fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God.
5	Luke 22:53	Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on Me. But this hour belongs to you and to the power of darkness.”
6	Acts 4:30	as You stretch out Your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.”
7	Acts 9:31	Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria experienced a time of peace. It grew in strength and numbers, living in the fear of the Lord and the encouragement of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 12:1 Summary

This verse tells us that King Herod wanted to hurt some of the people who belonged to the church. He was trying to please the Jews and show that he was in charge, but really, he was just showing that he was against God. This reminds us that even when people try to hurt us because of our faith, God is still with us and in control, as we see in Romans 8:28 and Psalm 23:4. We can trust that God will take care of us, even in hard times.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did King Herod want to harm the church?

King Herod wanted to harm the church to please the Jews, as seen in Acts 12:3, and to assert his authority over the growing Christian community, much like the persecution seen in Matthew 10:16-18.

What was the church's response to Herod's persecution?

The Bible does not directly state the church's response to Herod's initial persecution in Acts 12:1, but it is likely they continued to pray and trust in God, as seen in Acts 12:5, where they prayed for Peter's release.

Is this the same Herod from the Gospels?

This Herod is likely Herod Agrippa I, the grandson of Herod the Great, who was involved in the death of John the Baptist in Matthew 14:1-12 and Mark 6:14-29.

What can we learn from Herod's actions in this verse?

We can learn that those in power may try to persecute the church to maintain their authority, but God is still in control, as seen in Psalm 2:1-4, where God laughs at the plans of kings and rulers.

Reflection Questions

How do I respond when faced with persecution or hardship, and what can I learn from the early church's example?
What are some ways I can trust in God's sovereignty, even when it seems like evil is prevailing, as in the case of Herod's persecution?
How can I balance the need to stand up for my faith with the need to avoid provoking unnecessary persecution, as seen in Matthew 10:16-18?
What role does prayer play in responding to persecution, and how can I prioritize prayer in my own life, as seen in Acts 12:5?

Gill's Exposition on 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.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Acts 12:1

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

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Acts 12:1

ACTS CHAPTER 12 King Herod persecutes the Christians, kills James, and imprisons Peter, who, upon the prayers of the church, is delivered by an angel. Herod, in his pride assuming the glory due to God, is smitten by an angel, and dieth miserably. After his death the word of God prospers. Barnabas and Saul return to Antioch. There were several Herods mentioned in Scripture, being all of the family of Herod the Great, (by whose name they were called), as Herod that killed the children in Bethlehem, called Hecolonita; another that beheaded St. John, and derided our Saviour, this Herod was surnamed Antipas: the Herod here spoken of was called Agrippa; the son, or, as others think, the nephew, of Aristobulus, and was the father of that Agrippa we read of, , being viceroy, or king, under the Roman emperor. This Herod did not only kill some, but punished others with banishment and blows; and especially the governors of the church, knowing how much all suffer in them.

Trapp's Commentary on Acts 12:1

1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. Ver. 1. Now about that time] That the famine lay sore upon the Church. Afflictions seldom come single. The saints usually fall into various temptations at once, James 1:2. Fluctus fluctum trudit. Job’ s messengers tread one upon the heels of another. Herod the king] Nephew to Herod the Great, brother to Herodias, and father to that Agrippa, Acts 25:13.

Ellicott's Commentary on Acts 12:1

XII. (1) Herod the king.—The previous life of this prince had been full of strange vicissitudes. The son of Aristobulus and Bernice, grandson of Herod the Great, brother of the Herodias who appears in the Gospel history, named after the statesman who was the chief minister of Augustus, he had been sent, after his father had fallen a victim (B.C. 6) to his grandfather’s suspicions, to Rome, partly, perhaps, as a hostage, partly to be out of the way of Palestine intrigues. There he had grown up on terms of intimacy with the prince afterwards known as Caligula. On the marriage of Herod Antipas with his sister, he was made the ruler of Tiberias, but soon quarrelled with the Tetrarch and went to Rome, and falling under the displeasure of Tiberius, as having rashly given utterance to a wish for the succession of Caligula, was imprisoned by him and remained in confinement till the death of that emperor. When Caligula came to the throne, he loaded his friend with honours, gave him the tetrarchies first of Philip, and then that of Lysanias (Luke 3:1), and conferred on him the title of King. Antipas, prompted by Herodias, came to Rome to claim a like honour for himself, but fell under the emperor’s displeasure, and was banished to Lugdunum in Gaul, whither his wife accompanied him. His tetrarchy also was conferred on Agrippa. Coins are extant, minted at Cæsarea, and bearing inscriptions in which he is styled the Great King, with the epithets sometimes of Philo-Cæsar, sometimes of Philo-Claudios. At the time when Caligula’s insanity took the form of a resolve to place his statue in the Temple at Jerusalem, Agrippa rendered an essential service to his people, by using all his influence to deter the emperor from carrying his purpose into execution, and, backed as he was by Petronius, the Governor of Syria, was at last successful. On the death of Caligula, Claudius, whose claims to the empire he had supported, confirmed him in his kingdom. When he came to Judæa, he presented himself to the people in the character of a devout worshipper, and gained their favour by attaching himself to the companies of Nazarites (as we find St. Paul doing in Acts 21:26) when they came to the Temple to offer sacrifices on the completion of their vows (Jos. Ant. xix. 7, § 3). It would seem that he found a strong popular excitement against the believers in Christ, caused probably by the new step which had recently been taken in the admission of the Gentiles, and fomented by the Sadducean priesthood, and it seemed to him politic to gain the favour of both priests and people, by making himself the instrument of their jealousy.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Acts 12:1

CHAPTER XII. Herod persecutes the Christians, 1. Kills James, 2. And casts Peter into prison, 3, 4. The Church makes incessant prayer for his deliverance, 5. An angel of God opens the prison doors and leads him out, 6-10. Peter rejoices, and comes to the house of Mary, where many were praying, and declares how he was delivered, 11-17. The soldiers who kept the prison are examined by Herod, and he commands them to be put to death, 18, 19. Herod is enraged against the people of Tyre, but is appeased by their submission, 20. He makes an oration to the people, receives idolatrous praises, and an angel of the Lord unites him, and he dies a miserable death, 21-23. The word of God increases, 24. Barnabas and Saul, having fulfilled their ministry, return from Jerusalem accompanied by John Mark, 25. NOTES ON CHAP. XII. Verse 1. Herod the king] This was Herod Agrippa, the son of Aristobulus, and grandson of Herod the Great; he was nephew to Herod Antipas, who beheaded John they Baptist, and brother to Herodias. He was made king by the Emperor Caligula, and was put in possession of all the territories formerly held by his uncle Philip and by Lysanias; viz. Iturea, Trachonitis, Abilene, with Gaulonitis, Batanaea, and Penias. To these the Emperor Claudius afterwards added Judea and Samaria; which were nearly all the dominions possessed by his grandfather, Herod the Great. See Lu 3:1; see also an account of the Herod family, see in Clarke's note on "Matthew 2:1". To vex certain of the Church.] That is, to destroy its chief ornaments and supports.

Cambridge Bible on Acts 12:1

Acts 12:1-12. Herod’s persecution of the Church. Peter’s miraculous deliverance from prison1. Now about that time] The events here narrated must have shortly preceded Herod’s death, and so the chronological note here given must refer to some date near a.d. 43.Herod the king] This was Herod Agrippa I. He was the son of Aristobulus and grandson of Herod the Great. See Dictionary of the Bible.stretched forth his hands to vex (injure) certain of the church] Agrippa, according to Josephus (xix. 7. 3), was anxious to be esteemed a devout Jew: “He loved to live continually at Jerusalem, and was exactly careful in the observance of the laws of his country. He therefore kept himself entirely pure, nor did any day pass over his head without its appointed sacrifice.” Such a man might easily be roused, by the Jews whom he was so anxious to please, to the perpetration of cruelties upon the Christians.

Barnes' Notes on Acts 12:1

Now about that time - That is, during the time that the famine existed, or the time when Barnabas and Saul went up to Jerusalem. This was probably about the fifth or sixth year of the reign of Claudius, not far from 47 ad.

Whedon's Commentary on Acts 12:1

IV. OF CHURCH BY HEROD; ITS , Acts 12:1-25.1. James Slain; Peter Imprisoned and Released, Acts 12:1-19.1.

Sermons on Acts 12:1

	Sermon	Description
	Against the Flow by Jim Cymbala	In this sermon, the speaker shares his experience of preaching in a public setting and facing disdain and mockery when he mentioned God and Jesus. He draws a parallel to the story
	A Revelation of Principles by Paris Reidhead	In this sermon, the speaker addresses the idea that the only problem with the Bible is the first four words: "In the beginning, God." The speaker suggests that if one can accept an
	From Simon to Peter #33 - the Spirit in the Heart With Death at the Door by J. Glyn Owen	In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Simon Peter in the book of Acts. Peter finds himself imprisoned and facing certain death, with no human means of escape. Howeve
	Suffering-Deliverance by Carl Armerding	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the danger of pride and how it can lead to destruction. He uses the example of the king of Babylon who boasted about his own greatness and w
	Prevailing, Prayer, Persecuted Church by John McGregor	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the power and strength of Jesus in the church. He highlights the persecution faced by the early church and how they remained faithful to God
	(Acts) the God Who Intervenes by Brian Brodersen	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing and embracing the supernatural aspects of the Bible. He highlights the story of Peter's miraculous escape from
	Persecuted by Miles DeBenedictis	This sermon emphasizes the theme of persecution and opposition faced by the early church in the Book of Acts, highlighting how the power of God through His church attracts resistan