Act 12:1 | KingComments | STEP | of this chapter are an intermediate section. From onward the thread with Barnabas and Saul is taken up again, about whom we have read in the last verse of the previous chapter ( ). In this intermediate section, Luke records the death of James by Herod, the arrest of Peter by and his deliverance from the hand of Herod and the death of Herod. The deeper meaning of this intermediate section seems to lie in the typological sphere. We have seen in Acts 10-11 the work of God’s Spirit He began among the nations. This means that the connection with Judaism is weakening. The emphasis will lie on Christendom among the nations. Before Luke continues his account of this shift to the nations, we see in this section how, once the dispensation of the nations is over, God takes up the thread with Israel again. That is why we are taken back to Jerusalem for a moment and then leave it forever – except for a single incident. There we find Herod, who is a type or picture of the antichrist who persecutes the faithful remnant in Jerusalem. We have a type or picture of the faithful remnant in both James and Peter. Just as we see with these two apostles, we also see with the remnant that during the great tribulation a part is killed and a part is spared. The Herod who plays a leading role in this section is the third Herod mentioned in the New Testament. The first wanted to kill the Lord Jesus, the second had John the baptist beheaded and the third is responsible for the death of James. James was killed in the same way as many Old Testament martyrs ( ). There is another aspect we can mention of Herod that is in connection with the gospel. We see in Herod the political obstacle to the proclamation of the gospel, which is overcome by prayer. In Peter’s case, laws of purity were a hindrance to the gospel, a religious hindrance, but also that hindrance has been overcome by God. Both religious and political authorities have always been instruments in the hand of satan to stop the course of the gospel, but always in vain. It seems that Herod has been successful in his campaign against the Christians. He lays hands on some of the church to do them harm. If he gets his hands on James, he has captured one of the leading figures of the new movement. He has put to death James with a sword, which is tantamount to having him beheaded. It is about James who is further referred to as “the brother of John”. This happens so as not to confuse him with James the brother of the Lord. He and John and Peter have been with the Lord in His transfiguration on the mountain and they have been eyewitnesses of the glory of the Lord ( ). The experience on the mountain was the confirmation of the Old Testament prophecies about the coming of Christ in glory. As three witnesses they have seen that. Herod begins to kill these witnesses. He has killed James, he wants to kill Peter and who will say if not also John was on his list. The devil always wants to eliminate witnesses. James is the first of the apostles to die of martyrdom. He is not replaced as an apostle, as Judas was at the time ( ).

‏ Acts 12:1

James Put to Death

Acts 12:1-24 of this chapter are an intermediate section. From Acts 12:25 onward the thread with Barnabas and Saul is taken up again, about whom we have read in the last verse of the previous chapter (Acts 11:30). In this intermediate section, Luke records the death of James by Herod, the arrest of Peter by and his deliverance from the hand of Herod and the death of Herod.

The deeper meaning of this intermediate section seems to lie in the typological sphere. We have seen in Acts 10-11 the work of God’s Spirit He began among the nations. This means that the connection with Judaism is weakening. The emphasis will lie on Christendom among the nations.

Before Luke continues his account of this shift to the nations, we see in this section how, once the dispensation of the nations is over, God takes up the thread with Israel again. That is why we are taken back to Jerusalem for a moment and then leave it forever – except for a single incident. There we find Herod, who is a type or picture of the antichrist who persecutes the faithful remnant in Jerusalem.

We have a type or picture of the faithful remnant in both James and Peter. Just as we see with these two apostles, we also see with the remnant that during the great tribulation a part is killed and a part is spared.

The Herod who plays a leading role in this section is the third Herod mentioned in the New Testament. The first wanted to kill the Lord Jesus, the second had John the baptist beheaded and the third is responsible for the death of James. James was killed in the same way as many Old Testament martyrs (Heb 11:37).

There is another aspect we can mention of Herod that is in connection with the gospel. We see in Herod the political obstacle to the proclamation of the gospel, which is overcome by prayer. In Peter’s case, laws of purity were a hindrance to the gospel, a religious hindrance, but also that hindrance has been overcome by God. Both religious and political authorities have always been instruments in the hand of satan to stop the course of the gospel, but always in vain.

It seems that Herod has been successful in his campaign against the Christians. He lays hands on some of the church to do them harm. If he gets his hands on James, he has captured one of the leading figures of the new movement. He has put to death James with a sword, which is tantamount to having him beheaded. It is about James who is further referred to as “the brother of John”. This happens so as not to confuse him with James the brother of the Lord.

He and John and Peter have been with the Lord in His transfiguration on the mountain and they have been eyewitnesses of the glory of the Lord (Lk 9:28 ; 32). The experience on the mountain was the confirmation of the Old Testament prophecies about the coming of Christ in glory. As three witnesses they have seen that. Herod begins to kill these witnesses. He has killed James, he wants to kill Peter and who will say if not also John was on his list. The devil always wants to eliminate witnesses.

James is the first of the apostles to die of martyrdom. He is not replaced as an apostle, as Judas was at the time (Acts 1:20-26).