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In Acts 12:19, Herod gives order to kill prison guards:

Act 12:19  And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers (φύλαξ), and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there abode. 

Who were these guards? It's doubtful that the Romans would allow a Jewish king to kill Roman guards.

Strong's:

G5441 φύλαξ phulax foo'-lax From G5442; a watcher or sentry: - keeper. Total KJV occurrences: 3

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    Herod (Antipas) was, in fact, a Roman government official, though not ethnically Roman. He also was never given the title of King, as was Herod the Great, but was "tetrarch".
    – user33515
    Commented Mar 19, 2018 at 14:39

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It was Herod, himself, who seized Peter

And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also.

Acts 12:3

Regarding the Jews concern about the guarding of Jesus' sepulchre after his burial (and prior to his resurrection) :

Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.

Matthew 27:65

It is clear, therefore that the Roman occupiers permitted the Jews to have soldiery and a watch and to arrest and keep prisoners.

But Barabbas was held by the Romans because of the seriousness of his offences (sedition and murder). Luke 23:19.

It was the Jews who arrested Jesus and took him to Herod. But it was necessary to take Jesus to Pilate if they wanted (and they did want) the death penalty to be carried out. The Jews did not have the power to crucify.

But he who took Peter was Herod Antipas (the successor to the Herod who sent Jesus to Pilate) and he was a tetrarch - not a King - and his power came directly from Rome.

We know that Herod and Pilate were re-united in the aftermath to Jesus' condemnation and it may well be that this resulted in increased political confidence such that Rome 'promoted' either Herod or the succeeding Herod Antipas to a formal position and to Roman power.

So Herod Antipas did have the power to put to death and he used this power against James the brother of John.

I think it would be guesswork to surmise exactly how Jerusalem was being administrated (regarding imprisonment) during this period, considering Paul's interaction with the Chief Captain ('with a great sum obtained I this freedom' - the freedom of a Roman).

But whatever guards they were, Jewish or Roman, whom Antipas condemned to death, he most certainly had the power to do so.

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  • The Herod in Acts 12 is Herod Agrippa I - compare Acts 12:21-23 & Josephus Antiquities 19.8.2. Herod Antipas had been deposed by Caligula several years prior.
    – Hold To The Rod
    Commented Apr 1, 2022 at 2:27
  • Scripture does not distinguish : and for good reason. All three Herods in scripture murdered : children, John the Baptist, then James, then ('homicide' as to intent, despite that Jesus relinquished his life) Jesus. Father to son to grandson, it ran in the family and the latter two did not take advantage of the ministry of repentance or Jesus' teaching. So 'Herod' is 'Herod' is 'Herod'. much as Pharisees are not (usually) distinguished. 'Pharisee' and 'Herod' are characteristics. The individuals don't matter : the shared characteristic identifies them. (But yes, technically you are correct.)
    – Nigel J
    Commented Apr 1, 2022 at 12:53
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Hey really liked Nigel’s response but also wanted to add that based on all the research I have seen it was probably Herod Agrippa I and not Herod Antipas that is in power at this time.

I will link where I found this info below:

https://www.gotquestions.org/Herod-Agrippa-I.html

https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/stewart_don/faq/the-world-into-which-jesus-came/06-who-were-the-herods.cfm?a=1030001

https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/smith_chuck/StudyGuides_Acts/Acts.cfm?a=1030001

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    – agarza
    Commented Mar 30, 2022 at 22:36

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