Acts 12:3
What does Acts 12:3 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 12:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 12:3 means
Seeing that James’s death pleased influential Jews, Herod advances his political strategy by arresting Peter. Public approval fuels further injustice. The note that “those were the days of unleavened bread” signals religious festivity in Jerusalem, when crowds are large. Herod times his actions for maximum effect, planning a public display after the holy days. Ironically, during a feast recalling God’s deliverance from bondage, a servant of the Lord is bound. The verse presents the chilling union of political ambition and religious pressure, reminding us that zeal without truth can align with oppression. It also sets the timeline for the dramatic events about to unfold.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. And those were the days of unleavened bread.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. And those were the days of unleavened bread.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And when he saw that this was pleasing to the Jews he went on to take Peter in addition. This was at the time of the feast of unleavened bread.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and 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--
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And seeing that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to take up Peter also. Now it was in the days of the Azymes.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And seeing that it was pleasing to the Jews, he went on to take Peter also: (and they were the days of unleavened bread:)
Context
With James executed, Herod now targets Peter, a leading apostle. Mentioning the feast frames Herod’s delay—he intends to wait until afterward for public proceedings. This builds suspense and places Peter’s plight within Israel’s sacred calendar. The narrative is moving toward a dramatic rescue on the very eve of Herod’s planned exposure of Peter to the people. The setup underscores human calculation at its most confident, while preparing the reader to witness how God overturns plans at the moment they seem surest. Verse 4 will show the extreme security measures, adding to the impossibility of escape apart from divine action.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 26:17
Now on the firstdayof unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, Where wilt thou that we make ready for thee to eat the passover?
- Exodus 12:14
And this day shall be unto you for a memorial, and ye shall keep it a feast to Jehovah: throughout your generations ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.
- Leviticus 23:6
And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto Jehovah: seven days ye shall eat unleavened bread.
- Exodus 23:15
The feast of unleavened bread shalt thou keep: seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, as I commanded thee, at the time appointed in the month Abib (for in it thou camest out from Egypt); and none shall appear before me empty:
- Exodus 13:3
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 Jehovah brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten.
- John 19:11
Jesus answered him, Thou wouldest have no power against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath greater sin.
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