And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)
All Commentaries on Acts 12:3 Go To Acts 12
John Chrysostom
AD 407
For their own part, they now in consequence of Gamaliel's advice, abstained from bloodshedding: and besides, did not even invent accusations; but by means of others they compassed the same results. (c) This (counsel of Gamaliel's) above all was their condemnation: for the preaching was shown to be no longer a thing of men. He proceeded further to kill Peter also. ch. 5:8 In very deed was that fulfilled, We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Psalm 44:13 Seeing, it says, it was a pleasing thing to the Jews. Romans 8:36 A pleasing thing, bloodshed, and unrighteous bloodshed, wickedness, impiety! He ministered to their senseless (ἀ τόποις) lusts: for, whereas he ought to have done the contrary, to check their rage, he made them more eager, as if he were an executioner, and not a physician to their diseased minds. (And this) though he had numberless warnings in the case of both his grandfather and his father Herod, how the former in consequence of his putting the children to death suffered the greatest calamities, and the latter by slaying John raised up against himself a grievous war. But as they thought * * He feared lest Peter, in consequence of the slaying of James, should withdraw; and wishing to have him in safe keeping, he put him in prison: and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers
