BibleWord.ai› Bible› Acts› Chapter 12› Verse 2

Acts 12:2

New Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Acts 12:2 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
Acts 12:2 — American Standard Version

Context — Acts 12

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1Now about that time Herod the king put forth his hands to afflict certain of the church.
2And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
3And when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. And [those] were the days of unleavened bread.
4And when he had taken him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to guard him; intending after the Passover to bring him forth to the people.
5Peter therefore was kept in the prison: but prayer was made earnestly of the church unto God for him.
← Acts 12:1Acts 12:3 →
← Full Chapter 12 Acts Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.] This was James, the son of Zebedee, whom our Lord told, that he should be baptized with the baptism he was baptized with, (<402022>Matthew 20:22) meaning the baptism of martyrdom; and he was the first martyr among the apostles: the death he was put to was one of the four capital punishments among the Jews, and was reckoned by them the most disgraceful of them all, and was inflicted upon deceivers of the people; and such an one James was thought to be f581.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“killed James . . . with the sword--beheaded him; a most ignominious mode of punishment, according to the Jews. Blessed martyr! Thou hast indeed "drunk of thy Lord's cup, and hast been baptized with his baptism." (See on Mar 10:38-40.) A grievous loss this would be to the Church; for though nothing is known of him beyond what we read in the Gospels, the place which he had as one of the three whom the Lord admitted to His closest intimacy would lead the Church to look up to him with a reverence and affection which even their enemies would come to hear of. They could spring only upon one more prized victim; and flushed with their first success, they prevail upon Herod to seize him also.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And he killed ... - He caused to be put to death with a sword, either by beheading, or piercing him through. The Roman procurators were entrusted with authority over life, though in the time of Pilate the Jews had not this authority. James, the brother of John - This was the son of Zebedee, Matthew 4:21. He is commonly called James the Greater, in contradistinction from James, the son of Alpheus, who is called James the Less, Matthew 10:3. In this manner were the predictions of our Saviour respecting him fulfilled, Matthew 20:23, “Ye shall indeed drink of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with.” return to 'Top of Page'”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“James the brother of John - So one of the brothers went to God the first, the other the last of the apostles. Acts 12:3”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“James: Mat 4:21, Mat 4:22, Mat 20:23; Mar 10:35, Mar 10:38 with: Kg1 19:1, Kg1 19:10; Jer 26:23; Heb 11:37 Acts 12:3”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Acts 12 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification