And he went down from Judea, &c.— See on ch. Acts 8:40. Herod the Great, after he had built Caesarea Palestine, had instituted games to the honour of Caesar, which were to be celebrated every fifth year. Not long after the apprehending of St. Peter, the usual time recurred for the celebration of these games. Herod Agrippa went down to Caesarea upon this occasion. Another affair which called him to that part of his dominions was, his being highly offended with the inhabitants of Tyre and Sidon, against whom he meditated a war; but they being tradingcities, and unable to carry on their traffic without a free commerce in Galilee and other parts of Herod's dominions, whence they used to purchase large quantities of corn and other provisions, they bribed Blastus the king's chamberlain, who had great influence over his master, and by that means obtained peace. Josephus confirms this account of Herod's journey, which, according to him, was in the third year of his reign over the whole country. See 1 Kings 5:9-11.Ezekiel 27:17. Instead of was highly displeased, Heylin reads was preparing to make war,— θυμομαχων : and instead of was nourished, he reads subsisted.
Related Commentaries of Acts 12:19
Acts 12:19-20
19 And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there abode.
20 And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's country.