Acts 12 3

Acts 12:3 kjv

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

Acts 12:3 nkjv

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.

Acts 12:3 niv

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.

Acts 12:3 esv

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

Acts 12:3 nlt

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

Acts 12 verses

Acts 12 3 Meaning

This verse states that the Jews in the audience were pleased and approved of Peter's arrest, understanding that it was done to further suppress the early Christian movement by eliminating its leaders.

Acts 12 3 Context

Acts chapter 12 describes the persecution of the early church in Jerusalem by King Herod Agrippa I. Following the execution of James, Herod also arrested Peter. This verse, the third verse of chapter 12, immediately establishes that the action against Peter was deliberate and calculated, aimed at pleasing a specific segment of the population. The broader context is the burgeoning Christian movement facing hostility from some Jewish religious leaders and elements within the populace who viewed it as a threat to their traditions and authority.

Acts 12 3 Word Analysis

• And (καὶ, kai): A conjunction used to connect clauses or phrases.
• it (δὲ, de): A particle often indicating a contrast or transition, here serving to continue the narrative.
• pleased (ἤρεσκεν, ērēsken): From the verb ἀρέσκω (areskō), meaning "to be pleasing," "to be acceptable," or "to try to please." The imperfect tense suggests a continuous state of their feeling or an action that pleased them at that particular time.
• the Jews (τοὺς Ἰουδαίους, tous Ioudaious): Refers to the Jewish people in Jerusalem.
• of (ἐκ, ek): A preposition meaning "out of" or "from," indicating the source of their pleasure.
• Judea (τῆς Ἰουδαίας, tēs Ioudaias): Refers to the region of Judea.
• and (καὶ, kai): Conjunction.
• then (τότε, tote): An adverb indicating time, placing this event after the previous narrative of James' death.
• proceeded (ἐπιλαβόμενος, epilabomenos): From the verb ἐπιλαμβάνομαι (epilambanomai), meaning "to seize," "to lay hold of," or "to arrest." The aorist participle often indicates an action that occurred or was initiated, and its placement here suggests this was a consequence or immediate next step following the knowledge that his action against James was approved.
• to seize (συλλαβεῖν, sullabein): The infinitive form of συλλαμβάνω (sullambanō), meaning "to seize," "to arrest," or "to apprehend."
• Peter (τὸν Πέτρον, ton Petron): The Apostle Peter, a key leader of the early church.
• also (καὶ, kai): Also indicates an addition or connection.
• for (γάρ, gar): A conjunction introducing a reason or explanation.
• it was (ἦν, ēn): The imperfect form of εἰμί (eimi), "to be," indicating a continuous state or action in the past.
• the days (αἱ ἡμέραι, hai hēmerai): Referring to a specific period.
• of Unleavened Bread (τῶν ἀζύμων, tōn azumōn): Refers to the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Passover), a significant Jewish festival. This contextualizes the timing of the events and potentially added pressure on authorities not to disrupt major religious observances.

Words Group Analysis:

• "it pleased the Jews of Judea": This phrase highlights a segment of the Jewish population in Judea who derived satisfaction from Peter's arrest. It wasn't the entire Jewish populace but a specific group who supported Herod's actions.
• "and then proceeded to seize Peter also": The conjunction "and then" links Peter's arrest directly to the preceding approval of James' execution. The word "also" ("kai") emphasizes that Peter was the next target in this wave of persecution.

Acts 12 3 Bonus Section

The opposition from segments of the Jewish population mentioned here can be understood in light of historical and theological tensions. The early Christian movement, with its assertion that Jesus was the Messiah and its incorporation of Gentiles, was seen by some Jewish leaders and followers as a deviation from and a threat to their traditions and religious identity. This resistance is a recurring theme throughout the book of Acts, demonstrating the challenges the Gospel faced as it spread. The verse also sets the stage for Peter's miraculous escape and the subsequent divine judgment on Herod, illustrating God's sovereignty and protection over His church even in the face of intense persecution.

Acts 12 3 Commentary

Herod Agrippa I, seeking to gain favor with the Jewish leaders and populace in Jerusalem, understood that suppressing the early church would be seen as a desirable act by many. After successfully executing James, the brother of John, his popularity among a segment of the Jewish population was boosted. He observed that this action "pleased" them, meaning it met with their approval and brought him public support. Consequently, he decided to continue this policy of persecution by arresting Peter, another prominent leader of the nascent Christian community. The arrest of Peter, a key figure, underscores the severity of the opposition faced by the early church, as its leaders were being systematically targeted. The timing of these events, immediately preceding the Feast of Unleavened Bread, could have been chosen strategically by Herod, either to appease religious sentiment or perhaps to ensure his actions were noted during a time of heightened national and religious consciousness.