Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 12:20

"Now he was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: and they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king`s chamberlain their friend, they asked for peace, because their country was fed from the king`s country." — Acts 12:20 (ASV)

And Herod was highly displeased, etc. Greek, bore a hostile mind, intending war. The Greek word—yumomacwn—does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament. It means to meditate war, to purpose war in the mind, or here probably, to be enraged or angry at them.

What caused this hostility to the people of Tyre and Sidon is not mentioned, and conjecture is useless. It is not at all inconsistent, however, with Herod's well-known character. It was probably from some cause relating to commerce. Tyre and Sidon were under Roman power and had some shadow of liberty (Grotius); and it is probable that they might have embarrassed Herod in some of his regulations respecting commerce.

Tyre and Sidon. See the notes on Matthew 11:21.

They were north of Caesarea.

They came with one accord. Fearing the effects of his anger, they united in sending a delegation to him to make peace.

Blastus the king's chamberlain. See Romans 16:23. The word chamberlain denotes an officer who is charged with the direction and management of a chamber or chambers, particularly a bedchamber. It denotes, here, a man who had charge of Herod's bedchamber.

Because their country was nourished, etc. It was supplied by Herod's territories.

The country of Tyre and Sidon occupied a narrow strip of land on the coast of the Mediterranean. Of course, they were dependent for provisions and for articles of commerce on the interior country.

This interior country belonged to Herod's kingdom. And since they were entirely dependent on his country, as he had power to dry up the sources of their supports, and commerce, they were the more urgent to secure his favor.