Acts 12:4

"When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This was during the days of unleavened bread."

Key Reflection

This verse highlights the political and religious tensions in Jerusalem at the time. The imprisonment of Peter during Passover, a significant Jewish festival, underscores the conflict between Herod's desire to please the Jewish crowds and his own ambitions, setting the stage for further persecution of early Christians.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 4. And when he had apprehended him. When he had taken or arrested him. He put him in prison. During the solemnities of this religious festival, it would have been deemed improper to have engaged in the trial of a supposed criminal. The minds of the people were expected to be devoted solely to the solemnities of religion; and hence Herod chose to retain him in custody until the passover had ended. To four quaternions of soldiers. A quaternion was a company of four; consequently the whole number employed here was sixteen. The Romans divided the night into four watches, so that the guards could be relieved; those who were on guard occupying three hours, and being then relieved.

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