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2. Ἰάκωβον τὸν ἀδελφὸν Ἰουδαίοις, James, the brother of John. This was one of the two sons of Zebedee, who had been among the three specially favoured disciples of Jesus. It is therefore likely that he would take a leading part in the labours of the Church. Thus Agrippa’s attention would be drawn to him as a proper person to be first struck down. All the accusations which had been laid against Stephen, that the Christian leader spake against the Temple and the Law, would be used with effect to such a zealous observer of Mosaic ritual as Herod Agrippa was.
μαχαίρῃ, with the sword. This was the third in order of the modes of execution appointed among the Jews. These modes were (1) stoning, (2) burning, (3) the sword, and (4) strangulation. In connexion with the execution of James the words of the Mishna are interesting: ‘The ordinance for putting to death by the sword is as follows: the man’s head is cut off with the sword as is wont to be done by royal command.’ See Surenhusius on Sanhedrin, p. 248, where there is a discussion about the position of the prisoner, whether he should stand erect or have his head on a block.