Acts 12:20

Death of Herod Agrippa I. Growth of the Church

20. And Herod was highly displeased The oldest MSS. omit Herod. Read, "Now he," &c. The verb implies a deep-seated feeling of anger. It is not found elsewhere in the N. T.

with them of Tyre and Sidon They were still seats of maritime industry, and perhaps Herod's regard for the people of Berytus (Beyrout), another Phœnician seaport a little north of Sidon, may have been connected as cause or effect with his anger at the people of the two older cities. Josephus (xix.7. 5) gives an account of splendid buildings which this king provided for Berytus. It is clear that the way in which the royal anger had made itself felt was one which interfered with the commercial prosperity of Tyre and Sidon.

but they came with one accord to him i.e. they joined in a common embassy and sent persons from both towns to make representations and use their influence to appease Herod's anger.

Blastus the king's chamberlain Probably, as his name implies, some Roman who had taken office under this Eastern king who rejoiced in the favour of the Roman Emperor.

desired( asked for) peace We are not to understand from these words that Agrippa was making waron Tyre and Sidon, but only that he was on unfriendly terms with them and was impeding their trade.

nourished by the king's country The extent of Herod's rule was very great, and if he encouraged another port, and made regulations by which traffic was diverted from the towns of Tyre and Sidon, it was in his power to take away from them at least one-half of the commerce which was their support.