Acts 12:4. And delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers. That is, to four bands of soldiers, each band consisting of four. These were to relieve each other in guarding the prisoner. The Roman practice of dividing the night into four watches of three hours each was generally adopted by the Jews of this period.

Intending after Easter. (Literally, ‘after the Passover.') King Herod wished to be considered a strict observer of the law. The more rigid Jews, we learn from the Talmud, deemed it unlawful to defile their solemn feasts with executions (see St. John 18:28, where this dread of defilement affected the murderers of Jesus).

To bring him forth to the people. That is, for trial and execution.

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Old Testament