The people applauded the act of Herod in causing the death of James, though some of them complained of the private manner in which it was accomplished, maintaining that a public execution would have had the effect to more thoroughly intimidate all believers and sympathizers. Herod therefore held Peter in custody for the purpose of gratifying the Jews by the public spectacle of his death. But it was suggested to the ruler that it would not be safe to bring the veteran apostle out for execution before all the people who were assembled in Jerusalem for the passover. It was feared that his venerable appearance might excite their pity and respect; they also dreaded lest he should make one of those powerful appeals which had frequently roused the people to investigate the life and character of Jesus Christ, and which they, with all their artifice, were totally unable to controvert. In such a case, the Jews apprehended that his release would be demanded at the hands of the king. {3SP 335.2}

Folket bifaldt Herodes handling at slå Jakob ihjel, skønt nogle af dem beklagede sig over den skjulte måde det var sket på, fastholdt de at en offentlig henrettelse ville havde haft en virkning, der er mere skræmmende for alle troende og sympatisører. Herodes holdt således Peter under opsyn for at glæde jøderne med hans død i al offentlighed. Men det blev foreslået myndigheden at det ikke ville være sikkert at bringe den erfarne apostel frem til (336) henrettelse for hele det folk, som var samlet i Jerusalem i påsken. Det frygtedes at hans ærværdige udseende måtte vække deres medynk og respekt; var de også bange for at han ikke skulle give nogen af de kraftfulde appeller som ofte havde folk til at undersøge Jesu Kristi liv og karakter, og som de, med al deres list, slet ikke kunne bestride. I en sådan situation, befattede jøderne at hans løsladelse ville afkræves ved kongens hænder.