Acts 12:3

3 And he saw that it pleased to the Jews, and cast to take also Peter; and the days of therf loaves were.

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 And in the same time Herod the king sent power, to torment some men of the church. [+Forsooth in the same time, Herod the king sent hands, to torment some men of the church.]

2 And he slew by sword James, the brother of John.

3 And he saw that it pleased to the Jews, and cast to take also Peter; and the days of therf loaves were.

4 And when he had caught Peter, he sent him into prison; and betook him to four quaternions of knights, to keep him, and would after pask bring him forth to the people [willing after pask to bring him forth to the people].

5 And Peter was kept in prison; but prayer was made of the church without ceasing to God for him.