<p>12:4 <i>And when he had ta<em>ken him</em></i>- A word repeatedly used about the Lord's being 'taken' by the Jewish opposition (Jn. 7:30,32,44; 8:20; 10:39; 11:57). Again, we see the development of the theme that the Lord's final sufferings were being replicated in Peter.</p><p><em>He put him in prison</em>- Surely to test Peter's confident claim that he was ready to go to prison and death for his Lord (only recorded by Luke- Lk. 22:33). The Lord likewise has a way of testing our confident claims about our loyalty to Him. It's worth noting that Herod had earlier arrested John the Baptist and 'put him into prison' (the same words are used; Mt. 14:3), again in order to please another party- in that case, Herodias. That similarity would have led Peter to suspect that Herod would likewise behead him in prison as he had John. Our sufferings are so often in terms and tones similar to those of others, and this is because we are to take strength from them and to see that we are not alone.</p><p><em>And delivered him</em>- A word so often used about the handing over of the Lord to death.</p><p><i>To four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover</i>- The Greek for 'squad' refers to a group of four soldiers; four such squads meant 16 in all.</p><p><em>To bring him out to the people</em>- The Greek word Luke uses about what was done to the Lord (Lk. 22:66).</p>