Passover arrests - James and Peter

Drawing on biblical and other historical sources, including Clement of Alexandria, D. Thomas Lancaster [1] draws some interesting parallels between events of 44 in the early church and those of Jesus' death.

Around the time of the Passover of 44, both James and Simon Peter were separately arrested and tried before Herod Agrippa. A backslidden believer betrayed James, who was beheaded for his loyalty to another king, Jesus. James had known for some time that he would ultimately be executed (Matthew 20:22-23), but may have anticipated a more brutal means.

Simon Peter was Agrippa's next target; he was arrested during the Passover celebration (Acts 12:3). Because his public execution in Jerusalem during the feast may have caused social disorder (compare with Matthew 26:5), Agrippa held him in prison for a few days. The night before Simon Peter's certain execution, he was released from prison by divine intervention (Acts 12:6-10). The last-minute deliverance, the haste required, and even the angel's instructions to Peter to gird himself and put on his sandals, all remind one of the Passover exodus (Exodus 12, especially verse 11).

Lancaster suggests that the time (around Passover) and betrayal of James reflect Jesus' betrayal and execution. And the time and deliverance of Simon Peter reflect Jesus' resurrection and, I would add, the redemption of his people.

[1] Lancaster, DT 2013. The Passover Arrests, Messiah Magazine #2, Spring 2013. First Fruits of Zion.