A.T. Robertson Commentary Acts 12

About that time (κατ' εκεινον τον καιρον). Same phrase in Ro 9:9. That is, the early part of A.D. 44 since that is the date of Herod's death. As already suggested, Barnabas and Saul came down from Antioch to Jerusalem after the persecution by Herod at the end of 44 or the beginning of 45.

Herod the king (Hηρωιδης ο βασιλευς). Accurate title at this particular time. Herod Agrippa I, grandson of Herod the Great, was King of Palestine A.D. 42 to 44; only for these three years was a Herod king over Palestine since the death of Herod the Great and never afterwards. Archelaus never actually became king though he had the popular title at first (Matthew 2:22).

Put forth his hands (επεβαλεν τας χειρας). Second aorist active indicative of επιβαλλω, old verb, to cast upon or against. The same idiom with τας χειρας (the hands, common Greek idiom with article rather than possessive pronoun) in 4:3; 5:18.

To afflict (κακωσα). First aorist active infinitive of κακοω, old word to do harm or evil to (κακος), already in 7:6,19. Outside of Acts in the N.T. only 1 Peter 5:13. Infinitive of purpose. Probably the first who were afflicted were scourged or imprisoned, not put to death. It had been eight years or more since the persecution over the death of Stephen ceased with the conversion of Saul. But the disciples were not popular in Jerusalem with either Sadducees or Pharisees. The overtures to the Gentiles in Caesarea and Antioch may have stirred up the Pharisees afresh (cf. 6:14). Herod Agrippa I was an Idumean through his grandfather Herod the Great and a grandson of Mariamne the Maccabean princess. He was a favourite of Caligula the Roman Emperor and was anxious to placate his Jewish subjects while retaining the favour of the Romans. So he built theatres and held games for the Romans and Greeks and slew the Christians to please the Jews. Josephus (Ant. XIX. 7, 3) calls him a pleasant vain man scrupulously observing Jewish rites. Here we have for the first time political power (after Pilate) used against the disciples.

James the brother of John (Ιακωβον τον αδελφον Ιωανου). He had been called by Jesus a son of thunder along with his brother John. Jesus had predicted a bloody death for both of them (Mr 10:38ff.; Matthew 20:23). James is the first of the apostles to die and John probably the last. He is not James the Lord's brother (Galatians 1:19). We do not know why Luke tells so little about the death of James and so much about the death of Stephen nor do we know why Herod selected him as a victim. Eusebius (H.E. ii. 9) quotes Clement of Alexandria as saying that a Jew made accusations against James and was converted and beheaded at the same time with him.

Killed with the sword (ανειλεν μαχαιρη). The verb is a favourite one with Luke (Acts 2:33; 5:33,36; Acts 7:28; Acts 9:23–29; 10:39, etc.). Instrumental case and Ionic form of μαχαιρα. The Jews considered beheading a shameful death as in the case of the Baptist (Matthew 14:10).

That it pleased the Jews (οτ αρεστον εστιν τοις Ιουδαιοις). Indirect assertion with the present tense εστιν retained. Αρεστον is the verbal adjective from αρεσκω followed by the dative as in Joh 8:29.

Proceeded to seize (προσεθετο συλλαβειν). A patent Hebraism in Lu 20:11f. already, and nowhere else in the N.T. It occurs in the LXX (Genesis 4:2; Genesis 8:12; 18:29, etc.). Second aorist middle indicative of προστιθημ and the second aorist active infinitive of συλλαμβανω. Literally, he added to seize, he seized Peter in addition to James.

The days of unleavened bread (ημερα των αζυμων). By this parenthesis Luke locates the time of the year when Peter was arrested, the passover. It was a fine occasion for Agrippa to increase his favour among the crowds of Jews there by extra zeal against the Christians. It is possible that Luke obtained his information about this incident from John Mark for at his Mother's house the disciples gathered (12:12).

When he had taken him (πιασας). See on 3:7 for same form.

He put him in prison (εθετο εις φυλακην). Second aorist middle indicative of τιθημ, common verb. This is the third imprisonment of Peter (4:3; 5:18).

To four quaternions of soldiers (τεσσαρσιν τετραδιοις στρατιωτων). Four soldiers in each quaternion (τετραδιον from τετρας, four), two on the inside with the prisoner (chained to him) and two on the outside, in shifts of six hours each, sixteen soldiers in all, the usual Roman custom. Probably Agrippa had heard of Peter's previous escape (5:19) and so took no chances for connivance of the jailors.

After the passover (μετα το πασχα). The passover feast of eight days. "The stricter Jews regarded it as a profanation to put a person to death during a religious festival" (Hackett). So Agrippa is more scrupulous than the Sanhedrin was about Jesus.

To bring him forth (αναγαγειν αυτον). Second aorist active infinitive of αναγω, to lead up, old verb, used literally here. Peter was in the inner prison or lower ward and so would be led up to the judgment seat where Herod Agrippa would sit (cf. John 19:13).

To the people (τω λαω). Ethical dative, in the presence of and for the pleasure of the Jewish people.

Therefore (μεν ουν). Because of the preceding situation.

Was kept (ετηρειτο). Imperfect passive, continuously guarded, waiting for the feast to be over.

But prayer was made earnestly (προσευχη δε ην εκτενως γινομενη). Probably δε here is not adversative (but), merely parallel (and) as Page argues. It was a crisis for the Jerusalem church. James had been slain and Peter was to be the next victim. Hence "earnestly" (late adverb from εκτενης, strained, from εκτεινω, to stretch. In the N.T. only here, Luke 22:44; 1 Peter 1:22) prayer was

going up (γινομενη, present middle participle, periphrastic imperfect with ην). It looked like a desperate case for Peter. Hence the disciples prayed the more earnestly.