Acts 12:20-25

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 12:20

And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon ,.... Two cities on the sea coast, in the land of Phoenicia; with the inhabitants of which Herod was so enraged, that though he had not declared war against them, yet he had meditated it in his mind, and intended to do it at a proper time: what gave him this offence is not certain; that it should be for entertaining and concealing of Peter, when he made his escape, is without any foundation; and nothing but this following on that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 12:21

And upon a set day ,.... Either on some feast day of divine appointment, as a feast day was by the Jews called מועד , "a stated day"; or on some day appointed by Herod, for the receiving of the ambassadors of Tyre and Sidon, and of hearing their petitions; or as Josephus F18 Antiqu. l. 19, c. 8. sect 2. says, it was on the second day of the sports and plays, instituted by him in honour of Caesar: Herod, arrayed in royal apparel ; the same Jewish historian in the same place says,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 12:22

And the people gave a shout ,.... At the end of the oration; these were flatterers, as Josephus says in the place before referred to, who cried out one from another, saluting him as God; saying, be merciful to us, hitherto we have revered thee as a man, henceforward we confess thee somewhat more excellent than mortal nature: and so it follows here, saying it is the voice of a God, and not of a man ; the Vulgate Latin version reads, "the voices of God and not men"; and the Ethiopic... 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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 12:24

But the word of God grew and multiplied. The number of those who were converted by it, and embraced and professed it, increased; otherwise the word is the same, whether the professors of it be more or fewer; and this it did, notwithstanding the persecution raised against it by Herod whilst he was living; and after his death, it still gained more ground, met with less opposition, and was more freely professed. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 12:25

And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem ,.... Two of Beza's exemplars, the Complutensian edition and the Syriac version, add, "unto Antioch"; and certain it is, that from thence they were sent, and thither they returned, for we find them there in the beginning of the next chapter: when they had fulfilled their ministry ; which was the carrying the relief, or the money collected by the Christians at Antioch, for the brethren in Judea, on account of the famine that was there: and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:20

Highly displeased with them of Tyre - On what account Herod was thus displeased is not related by any historian, as far as I have been able to ascertain. Josephus, who speaks of this journey of Herod to Caesarea, says nothing of it; and it is useless for us to conjecture. Having made Blastus - their friend - Blastus was probably a eunuch, and had considerable influence over his master Herod; and, to reach the master, it is likely they bribed the chamberlain. Desired peace - The... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:21

Upon a set day, etc. - A day on which games, etc., were exhibited in honor of the Roman emperor. What this refers to, we learn from Josephus. "Herod, having reigned three years over All Judea, (he had reigned over the tetrarchy of his brother Philip four years before this), went down to Caesarea, and there exhibited shows and games in honor of Claudius, and made vows for his health. On the second day of these shows, he put on a garment made wholly of silver, and of a contexture most truly... read more

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