Luke 21:12 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

But before all these Before the appearing of the false Christs before the rumours of wars the earthquakes, famines, and pestilences that were to be in divers places; they shall lay their hands on you, &c. “How fully the particulars foretold in this verse were accomplished, we learn from the Roman historians, Tacitus and Suetonius, who have given an account of the persecution raised against the Christians by Nero. But the history of the Acts will throw the greatest light on this passage. For there we are told, that immediately after our Lord's ascension, Peter and John were called before the Jewish senate, and beaten; (Acts 4:6-7; Acts 5:40;) that Stephen was brought before the same court; (Acts 6:12;) and put to death; (Acts 7:58;) that Saul made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women, committed them to prison; (Acts 8:3;) and punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, persecuted them unto strange cities; (Acts 26:11;) that James was brought before Herod, and by him put to death; who also laid Peter in prison, intending to kill him likewise; (Acts 12:2; Acts 12:4;) that Paul, formerly himself a persecutor, but now converted, was, in his turn, frequently persecuted; that he and Silas were imprisoned and beaten in the synagogue at Philippi; (Acts 16:23;) that he was brought before the great synagogue of the Jews in Jerusalem; (Acts 22:30;) before King Agrippa and his wife, before the Roman governors, Gallio, Felix, and Festus; and last of all, before the Emperor Nero, in Rome, and his prefect, Helius Cæsariensis.” Macknight.