Acts 12:3

"When he saw it pleased the Jews" "Luke is telling us that Herod's motives were simply political expediency. It wasn't that he had any real anti-Christian fanaticism, nor was he particularly interested in justice or protecting the innocent" (Reese p. 428). Yes, there are politicians who really have no set convictions except to do whatever is necessary to stay in office. At this point in history Herod ruled over the largest realm in Palestine since the days of Herod the great some forty-five years previously. "He proceeded to arrest Peter also. Now it was during the days of Unleavened Bread" Notice that James was arrested first, which indicates that Peter was not viewed as the leader or pope of this new movement. The days of Unleavened Bread were seven days that followed the Passover celebration. Herod may have arrested Peter during this celebration because. larger number of Jews than ordinary would be in Jerusalem and this meant more people would be able to see his supposed "zeal for the Law".