Add parallel Print Page Options

He had James, the brother of John, executed with a sword.[a] When he saw that this pleased the Jews,[b] he proceeded to arrest Peter too. (This took place during the feast of Unleavened Bread.)[c]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Acts 12:2 sn The expression executed with a sword probably refers to a beheading. James was the first known apostolic martyr (Eusebius, Eccl. Hist. 2.9.1-3). On James, not the Lord’s brother, see Luke 5:10; 6:14. This death ended a short period of peace noted in Acts 9:31 after the persecution mentioned in 8:1-3.
  2. Acts 12:3 tn This could be a reference to the Jewish people (so CEV) or to the Jewish leaders (so NLT). The statement in v. 4 that Herod intended to bring Peter “out to the people” (i.e., for a public trial) may suggest the former is somewhat more likely.
  3. Acts 12:3 sn This is a parenthetical note by the author.

He had James, the brother of John,(A) put to death with the sword.(B) When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews,(C) he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread.(D)

Read full chapter