Acts 12:3
New International Version
When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread.

New Living Translation
When Herod saw how much this pleased the Jewish people, he also arrested Peter. (This took place during the Passover celebration.)

English Standard Version
and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread.

Berean Standard Bible
And seeing that this pleased the Jews, Herod proceeded to seize Peter during the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

Berean Literal Bible
And having seen that it is pleasing to the Jews, he proceeded to take Peter also--now these were the days of the Unleavened Bread--

King James Bible
And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)

New King James Version
And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread.

New American Standard Bible
When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter as well. (Now these were the days of Unleavened Bread.)

NASB 1995
When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. Now it was during the days of Unleavened Bread.

NASB 1977
And when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. Now it was during the days of Unleavened Bread.

Legacy Standard Bible
And when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. Now it was during the days of Unleavened Bread.

Amplified Bible
and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to have Peter arrested as well. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread [the Passover week].

Christian Standard Bible
When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter too, during the Festival of Unleavened Bread.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter too, during the days of Unleavened Bread.

American Standard Version
And when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. And those were the days of unleavened bread.

Contemporary English Version
When Herod saw that this pleased the Jewish people, he had Peter arrested during the Festival of Thin Bread.

English Revised Version
And when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. And those were the days of unleavened bread.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When he saw how this pleased the Jews, he arrested Peter too. This happened during the days of Unleavened Bread.

Good News Translation
When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he went ahead and had Peter arrested. (This happened during the time of the Festival of Unleavened Bread.)

International Standard Version
When he saw how this was agreeable to the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter, too. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread.

Majority Standard Bible
And seeing that this pleased the Jews, Herod proceeded to seize Peter during the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

NET Bible
When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter too. (This took place during the feast of Unleavened Bread.)

New Heart English Bible
When he saw that it pleased the Jewish people, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This was during the days of unleavened bread.

Webster's Bible Translation
And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. Then were the days of unleavened bread.

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

World English Bible
When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This was during the days of unleavened bread.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and having seen that it is pleasing to the Jews, he added to lay hold of Peter also—and they were the days of the Unleavened [Bread]—

Berean Literal Bible
And having seen that it is pleasing to the Jews, he proceeded to take Peter also--now these were the days of the Unleavened Bread--

Young's Literal Translation
and having seen that it is pleasing to the Jews, he added to lay hold of Peter also -- and they were the days of the unleavened food --

Smith's Literal Translation
And having seen that it is pleasing to the Jews, he added also to take Peter. (They were the days of unleavened bread.)
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And seeing that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to take up Peter also. Now it was in the days of the Azymes.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And seeing that it pleased the Jews, he set out next to apprehend Peter also. Now it was the days of Unleavened Bread.

New American Bible
and when he saw that this was pleasing to the Jews he proceeded to arrest Peter also. (It was [the] feast of Unleavened Bread.)

New Revised Standard Version
After he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. (This was during the festival of Unleavened Bread.)
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Simon Peter also. This happened during the days of unleavened bread.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And when he saw this pleased the Judeans, he proceeded to seize also Shimeon Kaypha, and they were the days of Unleavened Bread.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he apprehended Peter also. Those were the days of unleavened bread.

Godbey New Testament
And seeing that it is pleasing to the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also: and those were the days of the unleavened bread:

Haweis New Testament
And seeing how agreeable this was to the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)

Mace New Testament
and perceiving that the Jews were pleas'd with this, he proceeded to secure Peter during the feast of unleavened bread:

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

Worrell New Testament
and, seeing that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. And then were the days of unleavened bread.

Worsley New Testament
And seeing that it was pleasing to the Jews, he proceeded to apprehend Peter also, (in the days of unleavened bread:)

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
James Killed, Peter Imprisoned
2He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. 3And seeing that this pleased the Jews, Herod proceeded to seize Peter during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. 4He arrested him and put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out to the people after the Passover.…

Cross References
Acts 4:1-3
While Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them, / greatly disturbed that they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. / They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in custody until the next day.

Acts 5:17-18
Then the high priest and all his associates, who belonged to the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They went out / and arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.

Acts 9:1-2
Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord. He approached the high priest / and requested letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women belonging to the Way, he could bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem.

Acts 16:19-24
When the girl’s owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities in the marketplace. / They brought them to the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews and are throwing our city into turmoil / by promoting customs that are unlawful for us Romans to adopt or practice.” ...

Acts 21:27-30
When the seven days were almost over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him, / crying out, “Men of Israel, help us! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people and against our law and against this place. Furthermore, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place.” / For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple. ...

Acts 23:12-15
When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. / More than forty of them were involved in this plot. / They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have bound ourselves with a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul. ...

Acts 25:9-12
But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem to stand trial before me on these charges?” / Paul replied, “I am standing before the judgment seat of Caesar, where I ought to be tried. I have done nothing wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well. / If, however, I am guilty of anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die. But if there is no truth to their accusations against me, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!” ...

Matthew 26:3-5
At that time the chief priests and elders of the people assembled in the courtyard of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, / and they conspired to arrest Jesus covertly and kill Him. / “But not during the feast,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.”

John 11:47-53
Then the chief priests and Pharisees convened the Sanhedrin and said, “What are we to do? This man is performing many signs. / If we let Him go on like this, everyone will believe in Him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” / But one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all! ...

John 12:10-11
So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, / for on account of him many of the Jews were deserting them and believing in Jesus.

John 15:18-20
If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. / If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. / Remember the word that I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they kept My word, they will keep yours as well.

1 Peter 4:12-16
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you. / But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory. / If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. ...

Exodus 12:14-20
And this day will be a memorial for you, and you are to celebrate it as a feast to the LORD, as a permanent statute for the generations to come. / For seven days you must eat unleavened bread. On the first day you are to remove the leaven from your houses. Whoever eats anything leavened from the first day through the seventh must be cut off from Israel. / On the first day you are to hold a sacred assembly, and another on the seventh day. You must not do any work on those days, except to prepare the meals—that is all you may do. ...

Leviticus 23:4-8
These are the LORD’s appointed feasts, the sacred assemblies you are to proclaim at their appointed times. / The Passover to the LORD begins at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month. / On the fifteenth day of the same month begins the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the LORD. For seven days you must eat unleavened bread. ...

Numbers 28:16-25
The fourteenth day of the first month is the LORD’s Passover. / On the fifteenth day of this month, there shall be a feast; for seven days unleavened bread is to be eaten. / On the first day there is to be a sacred assembly; you must not do any regular work. ...


Treasury of Scripture

And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)

he saw.

Acts 24:27
But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.

Acts 25:9
But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?

John 12:43
For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

he proceeded.

Acts 2:14
But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:

Acts 4:13
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

Psalm 76:10
Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.

Then.

Exodus 12:14-20
And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever…

Exodus 13:3-7
And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten…

Exodus 23:15
Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:)

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Added Addition Arrest Bread Feast Finding Food Further Gratified Hold Jews Lay Peter Pleased Pleasing Proceeded Seize Time Unleavened
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Added Addition Arrest Bread Feast Finding Food Further Gratified Hold Jews Lay Peter Pleased Pleasing Proceeded Seize Time Unleavened
Acts 12
1. King Herod persecutes the Christians, kills James, and imprisons Peter;
6. whom an angel delivers upon the prayers of the church.
20. Herod in his pride taking to himself the honor due to God,
23. is stricken by an angel, and dies miserably.
24. After his death, the word of God prospers.
25. Saul and Barnabas return to Antioch.














When he saw
This phrase indicates a moment of realization or recognition by Herod Agrippa I, the ruler at the time. The Greek word for "saw" is "ἰδών" (idón), which implies not just physical sight but understanding or perceiving. Herod was politically astute, and his actions were often calculated to maintain favor with influential groups. This insight into Herod's motivations reveals the political climate of the time, where rulers often acted to appease the Jewish leaders to maintain peace and their own power.

that this pleased the Jews
The word "pleased" comes from the Greek "ἀρεστόν" (arestón), meaning agreeable or satisfactory. Herod's actions were not driven by justice or morality but by a desire to gain approval from the Jewish populace. This reflects the tension between the early Christian community and the Jewish authorities, who were often at odds due to the Christians' proclamation of Jesus as the Messiah. The Jewish leaders' satisfaction with James's execution (earlier in the chapter) highlights their opposition to the burgeoning Christian movement.

he proceeded to seize Peter
The Greek word for "seize" is "συλλαβεῖν" (syllabein), which means to arrest or capture. Peter, as a leading figure in the early Church, was a significant target. Herod's decision to arrest Peter demonstrates the threat that the Christian movement posed to both Jewish religious leaders and Roman political authorities. This act of aggression against Peter underscores the perilous environment in which the early Christians lived and the constant threat of persecution they faced.

during the Feast of Unleavened Bread
This feast, known in Hebrew as "Chag HaMatzot," is a significant Jewish festival that commemorates the Israelites' exodus from Egypt. It occurs immediately after Passover and lasts for seven days. The timing of Peter's arrest during this feast is significant because Jerusalem would have been filled with Jewish pilgrims, amplifying the public nature of Herod's actions. The Feast of Unleavened Bread symbolizes liberation and deliverance, which contrasts with Peter's imprisonment, setting the stage for the miraculous events that follow in the narrative. This juxtaposition highlights God's power to deliver His people, even in the face of human opposition.

(3) Because he saw it pleased the Jews.--This was throughout the ruling policy of the Herodian house. The persecution did not spring from any fanatic zeal against the new faith, but simply from motives of political expediency. A somewhat touching incident is recorded, illustrating the king's sensitiveness to popular praise or blame. It was at the Feast of Tabernacles, and the Law was read, and he heard the words of Deuteronomy 17:15 : "Thou shalt not set a stranger over thee," and he burst into tears at the thought of his own Idumaean descent. The people saw him weeping, and cried out: "Trouble not thyself, Agrippa; thou also art our brother," and the king's heart was comforted (Jost, Gesch. des Judenthums, I., p. 420).

Then were the days of unleavened bread.--The crowds of Hellenistic and other Jews who were gathered to keep the feast at Jerusalem naturally made this a favourable opportunity for courting the favour of the people. A tradition recorded by St. Jerome states that St. James was beheaded on the 15th of Nisan, i.e., on the same day as that of the Crucifixion. Peter was arrested probably at the same time; but the trial and execution were deferred till the seven days of the feast were over.

Verse 3. - When for because, A.V.; that it pleased for it pleased, A.V.; proceeded for proceeded further, A.V.; seize for take, A.V. ; and those for then, A.V. He proceeded to seize (προσέθετο συλλαβεῖν) is a Hebraism. This trait of his pleasing the Jews is in exact accordance with Josephus's description of him, as τῷ βιοῦν ἐν αὐφημίᾳ χαίρων, loving popularity, and as being very kind and sympathizing with the Jewish people, and liking to live much at Jerusalem ('Ant. Jud.' 19.7.3). The days of unleavened bread; i.e. as expressed by Luke 22:1, "The Feast of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover." It lasted seven days (Exodus 12:15-18), from the 14th to the 21st of Nisan, or Abib (Exodus 12:18-20; Leviticus 23:5, 6; Deuteronomy 16:1-4), the Passover being eaten on the night of the 14th.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Seeing
ἰδὼν (idōn)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3708: Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.

that
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

[this]
ἐστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

pleased
ἀρεστόν (areston)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 701: Pleasing, satisfactory, acceptable. From aresko; agreeable; by implication, fit.

the
τοῖς (tois)
Article - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Jews,
Ἰουδαίοις (Ioudaiois)
Adjective - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2453: Jewish. From Iouda; Judaean, i.e. Belonging to Jehudah.

he proceeded
προσέθετο (prosetheto)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4369: To place (put) to, add; I do again. From pros and tithemi; to place additionally, i.e. Lay beside, annex, repeat.

to seize
συλλαβεῖν (syllabein)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 4815: From sun and lambano; to clasp, i.e. Seize; specially, to conceive; by implication, to aid.

Peter
Πέτρον (Petron)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4074: Peter, a Greek name meaning rock. Apparently a primary word; a rock; as a name, Petrus, an apostle.

during
ἦσαν (ēsan)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

the
αἱ (hai)
Article - Nominative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Feast of Unleavened [Bread].
ἀζύμων (azymōn)
Adjective - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 106: (in the neutral plural) specially (by implication) the Passover week.


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NT Apostles: Acts 12:3 When he saw that it pleased (Acts of the Apostles Ac)
Acts 12:2
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