King James Version

What Does Acts 12:20 Mean?

Acts 12:20 in the King James Version says “And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blas... — study this verse from Acts chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's country. was highly: or, bare an hostile mind, intending war the king's chamberlain: Gr. that was over the king's bedchamber

Acts 12:20 · KJV


Context

18

Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.

19

And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there abode.

20

And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's country. was highly: or, bare an hostile mind, intending war the king's chamberlain: Gr. that was over the king's bedchamber

21

And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.

22

And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet. The judges period, spanning 450 years, demonstrates God's repeated deliverance despite Israel's cyclical rebellion.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Four hundred and fifty years (approximate, depending on chronological systems) covered judges period (Judges-1 Samuel). Gave judges indicates God's merciful provision of deliverers when Israel repented. The cyclical pattern (sin, oppression, repentance, deliverance) demonstrated human unfaithfulness versus divine faithfulness. Until Samuel transitions toward monarchy. Paul's summary around 48 CE established pattern—God persistently pursues rebellious people, preparing gospel theme of grace to undeserving sinners.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does cyclical rebellion teach about human nature?
  2. How does God's repeated deliverance demonstrate persistent grace?
  3. In what ways does judges period foreshadow need for permanent Savior?
  4. Why emphasize ancestors' failures in gospel presentation?
  5. What does 450 years of patience reveal about God's redemptive commitment?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 33 words
Ἦν1 of 33

was

G2258

i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)

δὲ2 of 33

And

G1161

but, and, etc

3 of 33
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἡρώδης4 of 33

Herod

G2264

heroic; herod, the name of four jewish kings

θυμομαχῶν5 of 33

highly displeased

G2371

to be in a furious fight, i.e., (figuratively) to be exasperated

Τυρίοις6 of 33

with them of Tyre

G5183

a tyrian, i.e., inhabitant of tyrus

καὶ7 of 33

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

Σιδωνίοις·8 of 33

Sidon

G4606

a sidonian, i.e., inhabitant of sidon

ὁμοθυμαδὸν9 of 33

with one accord

G3661

unanimously

δὲ10 of 33

And

G1161

but, and, etc

παρῆσαν11 of 33

they came

G3918

to be near, i.e., at hand; neuter present participle (singular) time being, or (plural) property

πρὸς12 of 33

to

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

αὐτῶν13 of 33

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ14 of 33

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

πείσαντες15 of 33

having made

G3982

to convince (by argument, true or false); by analogy, to pacify or conciliate (by other fair means); reflexively or passively, to assent (to evidence

Βλάστον16 of 33

Blastus

G986

blastus, an officer of herod agrippa

τὸν17 of 33
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐπὶ18 of 33

chamberlain

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τοῦ19 of 33
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κοιτῶνος20 of 33
G2846

a bedroom

τοῦ21 of 33
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

βασιλέως22 of 33

the king's

G935

a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively)

ᾐτοῦντο23 of 33

desired

G154

to ask (in genitive case)

εἰρήνην24 of 33

peace

G1515

peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity

διὰ25 of 33

because

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

τὸ26 of 33
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

τρέφεσθαι27 of 33

was nourished

G5142

but perhaps strengthened from the base of g5157 through the idea of convolution); properly, to stiffen, i.e., fatten (by implication, to cherish (with

αὐτῶν28 of 33

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

τὴν29 of 33
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

χώραν30 of 33

country

G5561

room, i.e., a space of territory (more or less extensive; often including its inhabitants)

ἀπὸ31 of 33

by

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

τῆς32 of 33
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

βασιλικῆς33 of 33

the king's

G937

regal (in relation), i.e., (literally) belonging to (or befitting) the sovereign (as land, dress, or a courtier), or (figuratively) preeminent


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 12:20 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 12:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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