Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
12:1-5 Jesus had clearly predicted persecution and hardship for his followers (Luke 11:49-51). For the first time since Jesus’ death, Roman authorities took direct violent action against the church. James, the brother of John, was one of the first called to be a disciple (Mark 1:16-20; Luke 5:1-11), and he was one of the first Christians to be martyred for his faith. • King Herod Agrippa attacked the church (cp. Acts 12:20-23), a move that he found to be politically helpful with the Jewish people. The letter of James, the brother of Jesus, was probably written after this persecution to the scattered Christians (see 8:1-4; James Book Introduction, “Date of Writing”).
Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
12:1-5 Jesus had clearly predicted persecution and hardship for his followers (Luke 11:49-51). For the first time since Jesus’ death, Roman authorities took direct violent action against the church. James, the brother of John, was one of the first called to be a disciple (Mark 1:16-20; Luke 5:1-11), and he was one of the first Christians to be martyred for his faith. • King Herod Agrippa attacked the church (cp. Acts 12:20-23), a move that he found to be politically helpful with the Jewish people. The letter of James, the brother of Jesus, was probably written after this persecution to the scattered Christians (see 8:1-4; James Book Introduction, “Date of Writing”).
Literal English (YLT)ⓘYoung's Literal Translation (1862) — mirrors the original word order and idiom as closely as English grammar allows. It reads awkwardly on purpose: the goal is to show you the structure of the original language, not smooth English prose.Young's Literal Translation (1862) — mirrors the original word order and idiom as closely as English grammar allows. It reads awkwardly on purpose: the goal is to show you the structure of the original language, not smooth English prose.
And about that time, Herod the king put forth his hands, to do evil to certain of those of the assembly,
Greek (New Testament)ⓘA Greek New Testament text — koine (common) Greek, the everyday language the New Testament was originally written in.A Greek New Testament text — koine (common) Greek, the everyday language the New Testament was originally written in.
κατ εκεινον δε τον καιρον επεβαλεν ηρωδης ο βασιλευς τας χειρας κακωσαι τινας των απο της εκκλησιας
King James VersionⓘKing James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
King James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.
American Standard VersionⓘAmerican Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.American Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.
Now about that time Herod the king put forth his hands to afflict certain of the church.
World English BibleⓘWorld English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.World English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.
Now about that time, King Herod stretched out his hands to oppress some of the assembly.
Bible in Basic EnglishⓘBible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.Bible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.
Now, about that time, Herod the king made cruel attacks on the Christians.