Acts 12:23 KJV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 12:20-25

In these verses we have, I. The death of Herod. God reckoned with him, not only for his putting James to death, but for his design and endeavour to put Peter to death; for sinners will be called to an account, not only for the wickedness of their deeds, but for the wickedness of their endeavours (Ps. 28:4), for the mischief they have done and the mischief they would have done. It was but a little while that Herod lived after this. Some sinners God makes quick work with. Observe, 1. How the... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 12:20-25

12:20-25 Herod was furious with the people of Tyre and Sidon. But they came to him with a common purpose. They gained the ear of Blastus the king's chamberlain and sued for peace because their country was dependent for its sustenance on the king's territory. Upon an agreed day Herod put on his royal robes and seated himself on a throne and made a speech to them. The people cried out, "It is the voice of a God and not of a man." Immediately the angel of the Lord struck him because he did not... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 12:23

And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him ,.... With a disease after mentioned; this angel, according to Josephus, appeared in the form of an owl; for he says, that a little after (the shout of the people) the king looked up, and saw an owl sitting upon a rope over his head; whom he immediately understood to be an angel, or messenger of evil things to him, as it had been before of good things; for it seems by the same historian F19 Ib. l. 18. c. 7. sect. 7. , that when he was... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:23

The angel of the Lord smote him - His death was most evidently a judgment from God. Because he gave not God the glory - He did not rebuke his flatterers, but permitted them to give him that honor that was due to God alone. See on Acts 12:21 ; (note). And was eaten of worms - Whether this was the morbus pedicularis , or whether a violent inflammation of his bowels, terminating in putrefaction, did not actually produce worms, which, for several days, swarmed in his infected... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:23

Verse 23 23.Forthwith he smote him. As, before, the angel was a minister of God’s grace in the delivery of Peter, so now he taketh vengeance upon Herod. And God doth sometimes use the ministry of angels in heaven in punishing; but sometimes he maketh the devils as hangmen, by whose hand he executeth his judgments. And this doth he as well toward his faithful servants as toward the reprobate. Saul was troubled and vexed by Satan, (1 Samuel 16:14) but the same did also befall holy Job, (Job... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 12:1-24

Sin in high places. Sin has many aspects, and it is not only curious but instructive to see how it shows itself under different conditions. Here we have it manifesting its evil spirit in "high places." Herod's action at this juncture reminds us of— I. ITS CONTEMPTUOUSNESS . "Herod … stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the Church" ( Acts 12:1 ). He did not stay to inquire whether these men were in the right or not. They had with them the most convincing credentials—strong... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 12:1-25

The world and the Church. There is, perhaps, no passage in Holy Scripture which contrasts more sharply the principles of the world and of the Church respectively, and the practice flowing from those principles, than the chapter before us. The results of each stand out no less sharply defined. I. THE WORLDLY PRINCIPLE AND PRACTICE . Not right, or truth, or justice, but sell seeking policy; to gain some selfish end without regard to the will of God or the welfare of man; the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 12:1-25

The strength and weakness of Christian discipleship. These verses bring out very strikingly the fact that there is both power and weakness in us who are the followers of Christ. We see it— I. IN APOSTOLIC FUNCTIONS . The apostles of our Lord were invested by their Divine Master with unusual powers. The Holy Ghost descended upon them and conferred great gifts on them (see Acts 5:15 , Acts 5:16 ; Acts 9:31-41 ). Peter was the chief channel through which this Divine efficacy... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 12:1-25

The persecution at Jerusalem. I. THE PUTTING TO DEATH OF JAMES , AND THE SEIZURE OF PETER . The narrative of the former event is short and dry. But, remarks a commentator, whatever the reason of this may be, it is certain that the Holy Spirit, by whose inspiration this history was given, manifested a peculiar wisdom in this very brevity. The holy silence is a sign to us that that which is highest and most pleasing to God is not precisely that of which men love to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 12:20-23

Human pride and Divine retribution. The main lesson which this incident conveys is the folly of human presumption. But there are side truths which the narrative suggests. 1. The interdependence of one nation on another: "Their country was nourished by the king's country" ( Acts 12:20 ). One land has metals in abundance; another has corn; another, cotton; another, timber, etc. It was clearly the intention of the Father of all that all peoples should live in close friendship and... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 12:20-25

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 12:20-25

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 12:23

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:23

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:23

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 12:1-24

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 12:1-25

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 12:1-25

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 12:1-25

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 12:20-23

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