Acts 12:19An Understandable Version (2005 edition)When Herod’s search for him turned up nothing, he questioned the guards, and then ordered them to be led away and executed. He then left Judea and went to Caesarea, where he stayed for awhile. See the chapter |
The jailor, who was awakened from sleep [by the commotion] saw the jail doors open so drew his [short] sword and prepared to kill himself, assuming that all the prisoners had escaped. [Note: He would have faced a humiliating execution himself if he had allowed capital offense criminals to escape. With that prospect in view, it was considered honorable by the Romans for a person to commit suicide].