Acts 12:20

Was highly displeased. Or, “was exasperated,” “was in a hostile state of mind,” implying a deep-seated feeling of anger.

Tyre and Sidon. These two Phoenician cities, seats of maritime industry, were not subject to Agrippa. They were in a sense autonomous, though under the control of Rome. Perhaps Agrippa’s regard for the people at Berytus (Beirût) another Phoenician seaport a little north of Sidon, may have been connected with his anger at the people of the two older cities. Josephus gives an account of the splendid buildings that Agrippa built in Beirut (ibid. 7. 5; see Vol. V, p. 69). It is clear that in some way the royal anger made itself felt, interfering with the commercial prosperity of Tyre and Sidon.

They came. That is, they joined in a common embassy and sent persons from both towns to make representations and to use their influence to appease Herod’s anger.

Blastus. Nothing else is known of this man. The title of “chamberlain,” found in inscriptions, was common in the Byzantine period. From imperial usage it was taken over into European courts. It meant, literally, the officer who had charge of the king’s bedchamber, and designated a sort of highly placed secretary. It is possible that the representatives from the two cities secured his friendship by means of bribes.

Desired peace. That is, “were asking for peace.” It is not to be understood from these words that Agrippa was actually making war on Tyre and Sidon, but only that he was on unfriendly terms with them. See 1 Kings 5:11; Eze. 27:17, which show the identity of the commercial needs of the two countries at widely separated intervals in their history.

Was nourished. The extent of Herod’s rule was wide (see Vol. V, pp. 69, 234), and if he favored another port and diverted traffic from Tyre and Sidon, he could seriously cripple their trade.