According to the Bible,Blastus was thechamberlain ofHerod Agrippa (Acts 12:20), a mediator for theSidonians andTyrians,[1] and was believed to be involved in the events that led to Herod's death.
According toActs 12:20, Herod was displeased with the people of Tyre and Sidon,[2] and forbade the export of food to them. As they were dependent on delivery of food fromJudea, and Judea was affected by famine,[3] the Sidonians and Tyrians made Blastus "their friend" (possibly through bribery[4]). Blastus helped them obtain an audience with Herod.
Acts 12:23 states that Herod was struck dead by God when the people of Sidon and Tyre offered him worship.
The story of Herod's death is partly corroborated by the contemporary historianJosephus.[5] However, Josephus does not mention any involvement of Blastus.