And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.
And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him - that is, to four parties of four each, corresponding to the four Roman watches; two watching in prison and two at the gates, and each party being on duty for the space of one watch.
Intending after Easter, х meta (G3326) ta (G3588) pascha (G3957)] - it should be, 'after the Passover:' that is, after the conclusion of the festival. (The word employed in our King James Version being an ecclesiastical term of later date, is improperly used here.)
To bring him forth, [ anagagein (G321 ) - or, 'bring him up,'] to the people - but scarcely for trial: it probably means 'to bring him up' aloft to the view of the people in bit execution; because the people were getting as virulent in their opposition to Christians as the rulers. And as the more private and summary execution of James may have been complained of as not having effect enough, Herod determines to gratify both rulers and people with the public spectacle of the slaughter of Peter. But because there was a prejudice against trying or putting anyone to death during the currency of a religious festival,