Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Acts: Chapter 12]
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12:1 {About that time} (\kat' ekeinon ton kairon\). 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}
(\H•r•id•s ho basileus\). 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 (Mt 2:22). {Put forth his hands}
(\epebalen tas cheiras\). Second aorist active indicative of
\epiball•\, old verb, to cast upon or against. The same idiom
with \tas cheiras\ (the hands, common Greek idiom with article
rather than possessive pronoun) in 4:3; 5:18. {To afflict}
(\kak•sai\). First aorist active infinitive of \kako•\, old word
to do harm or evil to (\kakos\), already in 7:6,19. Outside of
Acts in the N.T. only 1Pe 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.
12:2 {James the brother of John} (\Iak•bon ton adelphon I•anou\).
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.; Mt 20:23). James is the first of the apostles to
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Word Pictures in the New Testament
(Acts: Chapter 12)