Acts 12:3

3 Finding that this gratified the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also; these being the days of Unleavened Bread.

Acts 12:3 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 12:3

And because he saw it pleased the Jews
That is, as Beza's ancient copy adds, "his stretching out his hands upon the faithful"; this pleased the Jews, a bloodthirsty generation of men, who had killed the prophets, and the Lord Jesus, and who were now greedy after the death of the apostles: it may easily be seen from what principle and spirit Herod acted; it was not out of regard to the Jewish religion, rites, and ceremonies, but to ingratiate himself into the affections of the people:

he proceeded further to take Peter also;
a principal apostle, and who was well known, and against whom the Jews had doubtless a particular antipathy, and would have been glad to have been rid of him; this Herod was, sensible of, and therefore to please them, ordered him to be taken up:

then were the days of unleavened bread;
or the feast of the passover.

Acts 12:3 In-Context

1 Now, about that time, King Herod arrested certain members of the Church, in order to ill-treat them;

2 and James, John's brother, he beheaded.

3 Finding that this gratified the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also; these being the days of Unleavened Bread.

4 He had him arrested and lodged in jail, handing him over to the care of sixteen soldiers; and intended after the Passover to bring him out again to the people.

5 So Peter was kept in prison; but long and fervent prayer was offered to God by the Church on his behalf.