Acts 12:19-25

https://www.biblestudytools.com/acts/passage/?q=acts+12:19-25

Herod’s Death

19 Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there. 20 He had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon; they now joined together and sought an audience with him. After securing the support of Blastus, a trusted personal servant of the king, they asked for peace, because they depended on the king’s country for their food supply. 21 On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. 22 They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” 23 Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died. 24 But the word of God continued to spread and flourish. 25 When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission, they returned from Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark.

Study Notes: These will be added as I am able.

12:19 Under Roman law, guards who allowed a prisoner to escape were subject to the same punishment the prisoner was to receive. Thus these 16 guards were sentenced to death.

12:19 The Jews considered Jerusalem their capital, but the Romans made Caesarea their headquarters in Palestine. That is where Herod Agrippa I lived.

12:20 These coastal cities, Tyre and Sidon, were free and self-governing but economically dependent upon Judea (see the map in the introduction to Acts for their location). We don't know why Herod had quarreled with them, but now representatives from those cities were trying to appease him through his personal servant.

12:23 Herod died a horrible death accompanied by intense pain; he was literally eaten alive from the inside out by worms. To be eaten by worms was considered to be one of the most disgraceful ways to die. Pride is a serious sin, and in this case, God chose to punish it immediately. God does not immediately punish all sin, but he will bring all to judgment (Hebrews 9:27). Accept Christ's offer of forgiveness today. No one can afford to wait.

12:25 John Mark was Barnabas's cousin (Colossians 4:10). His mother, Mary, often opened her home to the apostles (12:12), so John Mark would have been exposed to most of the great men and teachings of the early church. Later, John Mark joined Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey, but for unknown reasons, he left them in the middle of the trip. John Mark was criticized by Paul for abandoning the mission (15:37-39), but he wrote the gospel of Mark and was later acclaimed by Paul as a vital help in the growth of the early church (2 Timothy 4:11).

It would be easy to shrug off this Bible Read as just a pointer to be used to validate the historical truth of Scriptures. But there is a message I keep reading in it--Humility. God made man. Men are not gods. Men die. Men are imperfect. So, when a great man draws a big crowd and gives a great speech (like what may happen tonight), don't worship the man. Give thanks to God for His work through that man and for His care and protection over that man.

Glorious Creator of All, we give You praise for men and women of character who choose to lead people wisely recognizing Your sovereignty. Bless their leadership with truth and goodness. Help us people, too, make wise choices regarding our actions and our leaders. Thank you for Your provisions of food and energy and care that sustain us in difficult times (and in good times). Help us recognize the needs of others to offer assistance in times of need. Your presence blesses us as givers and receivers. In Jesus name, Amen.

A Song: https://youtu.be/R84PqRdZ7_Y

Bonus Song: https://youtu.be/Ndb7kein1Es

Have a blessed day.