Blastus

BLASTUS (blăs'tŭs, Gr. Blastos). A chamberlain of King Agrippa (Acts.12.20) who apparently was easily bribed. The men of Tyre and Sidon used him in approaching the king.

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BLASTUS blăs’ təs (Βλάστος, G1058, a common name from the noun βλαστός, bud or sprout). The chamberlain of Herod Agrippa I, mentioned only in Acts 12:20. When in hot anger the king cut off the export of food to their cities, a delegation of Tyrians and Sidonians came to Caesarea asking peace. They “persuaded” Blastus, doubtless with a generous bribe, to induce Herod to give them a hearing. As the officer in charge of Herod’s private quarters, a position involving high honor and intimacy, he was in a position to influence Herod favorably.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915)

The chamberlain of Herod Agrippa I, whose services as an intermediary between them and the king were gained by the people of Tyre and Sidon. These cities were dependent on Palestine for corn and other provisions, and when Herod, on the occasion of some commercial dispute, forbade the export of foodstuffs to Tyre and Sidon, they were at his mercy and were compelled to ask for peace. "Having made Blastus the king’s chamberlain their friend," probably by means of a bribe, the Phoenician embassy was given an opportunity of setting their case before Herod (Ac 12:20 ff).