New International VersionImmediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.
New Living TranslationInstantly, an angel of the Lord struck Herod with a sickness, because he accepted the people’s worship instead of giving the glory to God. So he was consumed with worms and died.
English Standard VersionImmediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last.
Berean Standard BibleImmediately, because Herod did not give glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.
Berean Literal BibleAnd immediately an angel of the Lord struck him in return for that he did not give the glory to God. And having been eaten by worms, he breathed his last.
King James BibleAnd immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.
New King James VersionThen immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died.
New American Standard BibleAnd immediately an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and died.
NASB 1995And immediately an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and died.
NASB 1977And immediately an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and died.
Legacy Standard BibleAnd immediately an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last.
Amplified BibleAnd at once an angel of the Lord struck him down because he did not give God the glory [and instead permitted himself to be worshiped], and he was eaten by worms and died [five days later].
Christian Standard BibleAt once an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give the glory to God, and he was eaten by worms and died.
Holman Christian Standard BibleAt once an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give the glory to God, and he became infected with worms and died.
American Standard VersionAnd immediately an angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.
Contemporary English VersionAt once an angel from the Lord struck him down because he took the honor that belonged to God. Later, Herod was eaten by worms and died.
English Revised VersionAnd immediately an angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationImmediately, an angel from the Lord killed Herod for not giving glory to God. Herod was eaten by maggots, and he died.
Good News TranslationAt once the angel of the Lord struck Herod down, because he did not give honor to God. He was eaten by worms and died.
International Standard VersionImmediately the angel of the Lord struck him down because he did not give glory to God, and he was eaten by worms and died.
NET BibleImmediately an angel of the Lord struck Herod down because he did not give the glory to God, and he was eaten by worms and died.
New Heart English BibleImmediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and died.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten by worms, and died.
Weymouth New TestamentInstantly an angel of the Lord struck him, because he had not given the glory to God, and being eaten up by worms, he died. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleImmediately, because Herod did not give glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.
World English BibleImmediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he didn’t give God the glory. Then he was eaten by worms and died. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd immediately a messenger of the LORD struck him in return for that he did not give the glory to God, and having been eaten of worms, he expired.
Berean Literal BibleAnd immediately an angel of the Lord struck him in return for that he did not give the glory to God. And having been eaten by worms, he breathed his last.
Young's Literal Translation and presently there smote him a messenger of the Lord, because he did not give the glory to God, and having been eaten of worms, he expired.
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd immediately the messenger of the Lord struck him, because he gave not the glory to God: and eaten by worms, he expired. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd forthwith an angel of the Lord struck him, because he had not given the honour to God: and being eaten up by worms, he gave up the ghost.
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd immediately, an Angel of the Lord struck him down, because he had not given honor to God. And having been consumed by worms, he expired.
New American BibleAt once the angel of the Lord struck him down because he did not ascribe the honor to God, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last.
New Revised Standard VersionAnd immediately, because he had not given the glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd because he did not give the glory to God, in that very hour an angel of the LORD smote him, and he was eaten by disease and died.
Aramaic Bible in Plain EnglishAnd because he did not give the glory to God, immediately The Angel of THE LORD JEHOVAH struck him and he was infested with worms and he died. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentAnd immediately an angel of the Lord smote him, because he did not give God the glory. And having been eaten by worms, he expired.
Godbey New Testament
And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not the glory to God; and being eaten by worms, he breathed out his soul.
Haweis New Testament
But instantly the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not the glory to God: and being devoured with worms, he expired.
Mace New Testament
but at the instant an angel of the Lord smote him, because he did not glorify God: so that he became a prey to worms and died. In the mean time, the
Weymouth New Testament
Instantly an angel of the Lord struck him, because he had not given the glory to God, and being eaten up by worms, he died.
Worrell New Testament
And immediately an angel of the Lord smote him, because he did not give God the glory; and, having been eaten by worms, he expired.
Worsley New Testament
but immediately an angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and being devoured by worms he died.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Death of Herod… 22And they began to shout, “This is the voice of a god, not a man!” 23Immediately,becauseHerod did not givegloryto God,an angelof the Lordstruckhim down,andhe waseaten by wormsand died.24But the word of God continued to spread and multiply.…
Cross References Daniel 4:30-33the king exclaimed, “Is this not Babylon the Great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?” / While the words were still in the king’s mouth, a voice came from heaven: “It is decreed to you, King Nebuchadnezzar, that the kingdom has departed from you. / You will be driven away from mankind to live with the beasts of the field, and you will feed on grass like an ox. And seven times will pass you by, until you acknowledge that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom He wishes.” ...
2 Chronicles 26:16-21But when Uzziah became powerful, his arrogance led to his own destruction. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, for he entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense. / Then Azariah the priest, along with eighty brave priests of the LORD, went in after him. / They took their stand against King Uzziah and said, “Uzziah, you have no right to offer incense to the LORD. Only the priests, the descendants of Aaron, are consecrated to burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have acted unfaithfully; you will not receive honor from the LORD God.” ...
Isaiah 42:8I am the LORD; that is My name! I will not yield My glory to another or My praise to idols.
Ezekiel 28:2-10“Son of man, tell the ruler of Tyre that this is what the Lord GOD says: Your heart is proud, and you have said, ‘I am a god; I sit in the seat of gods in the heart of the sea.’ Yet you are a man and not a god, though you have regarded your heart as that of a god. / Behold, you are wiser than Daniel; no secret is hidden from you! / By your wisdom and understanding you have gained your wealth and amassed gold and silver for your treasuries. ...
Exodus 12:29Now at midnight the LORD struck down every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on his throne, to the firstborn of the prisoner in the dungeon, as well as all the firstborn among the livestock.
1 Samuel 25:38About ten days later, the LORD struck Nabal dead.
2 Kings 19:35And that very night the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies!
Psalm 115:1Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Your name be the glory, because of Your loving devotion, because of Your faithfulness.
Psalm 73:18-20Surely You set them on slick ground; You cast them down into ruin. / How suddenly they are laid waste, completely swept away by terrors! / Like one waking from a dream, so You, O Lord, awaken and despise their form.
Proverbs 16:18Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Isaiah 14:12-15How you have fallen from heaven, O day star, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the ground, O destroyer of nations. / You said in your heart: “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God. I will sit on the mount of assembly, in the far reaches of the north. / I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” ...
Matthew 23:12For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Luke 1:51-52He has performed mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who are proud in the thoughts of their hearts. / He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has exalted the humble.
Luke 12:20But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’
John 9:3Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God would be displayed in him.
Treasury of Scripture And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost. the angel. Exodus 12:12,23,29 For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: Iam the LORD… 1 Samuel 25:38 And it came to pass about ten daysafter, that the LORD smote Nabal, that he died. 2 Samuel 24:17 And David spake unto the LORD when he saw the angel that smote the people, and said, Lo, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly: but these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, be against me, and against my father's house. because. Acts 10:25,26 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshippedhim… Acts 14:14,15Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heardof, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, … Exodus 9:17 As yet exaltest thou thyself against my people, that thou wilt not let them go? and he. 2 Chronicles 21:18,19 And after all this the LORD smote him in his bowels with an incurable disease… Job 7:5 My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust; my skin is broken, and become loathsome. Job 19:26 Andthough after my skinworms destroy thisbody, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Jump to Previous AngelDiedEatenEndExpiredFleshGhostGloryHerodImmediatelyInstantlyMessengerPraisePresentlySmoteStraightStruckWastedWormsJump to Next AngelDiedEatenEndExpiredFleshGhostGloryHerodImmediatelyInstantlyMessengerPraisePresentlySmoteStraightStruckWastedWormsActs 12 1.King Herod persecutes the Christians, kills James, and imprisons Peter;6.whom an angel delivers upon the prayers of the church.20.Herod in his pride taking to himself the honor due to God,23.is stricken by an angel, and dies miserably.24.After his death, the word of God prospers.25.Saul and Barnabas return to Antioch.ImmediatelyThe term "immediately" indicates the swift and decisive nature of God's judgment. In biblical narratives, immediate actions often underscore the seriousness of the offense and the direct intervention of God. This immediacy highlights the urgency and severity of Herod's sin. because Herod did not give glory to God
Herod Agrippa I, a ruler known for his political acumen, failed to acknowledge God as the source of his power. This echoes the biblical principle that all authority is derived from God (Romans 13:1). Herod's acceptance of divine praise from the people (Acts 12:22) without redirecting it to God parallels the sin of pride seen in other biblical figures, such as Nebuchadnezzar inDaniel 4:30-32. an angel of the Lord struck him down
Angels are often depicted as messengers and agents of God's will throughout Scripture. The angel's role here is one of executing divine judgment, similar to the angel of death inExodus 12:23. This act serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the reality of divine retribution. and he was eaten by worms and died
This gruesome detail emphasizes the completeness of Herod's judgment. The phrase "eaten by worms" may suggest a supernatural affliction, reflecting the severity of divine punishment. Historically, Josephus, a first-century Jewish historian, corroborates this account, describing Herod's death as a prolonged and painful ordeal. This serves as a stark warning against pride and the refusal to honor God. Persons / Places / Events 1. Herod Agrippa IThe king of Judea, known for his persecution of the early church. He is the central figure in this verse, whose pride and failure to honor God led to his demise. 2. Angel of the LordA divine messenger who executes God's judgment on Herod for his arrogance and failure to give glory to God. 3. The Event of Herod's DeathThis event serves as a divine judgment and a warning against pride and self-glorification. Herod's death is both sudden and gruesome, emphasizing the seriousness of his sin. 4. The People of Tyre and SidonThey were present during Herod's speech and contributed to his pride by proclaiming him as a god, which he accepted without correction. 5. CaesareaThe location where Herod delivered his speech and where the judgment took place. It was a significant city in Judea, serving as a political and cultural hub. Teaching Points The Danger of PrideHerod's account is a stark reminder of the dangers of pride and self-exaltation. Believers are called to humility, recognizing that all glory belongs to God. God's Sovereignty and JusticeThe swift judgment on Herod demonstrates God's sovereignty and His commitment to justice. It reassures believers that God sees and acts against unrighteousness. The Role of Divine MessengersThe angel of the Lord acts as an agent of God's will, showing that God uses His messengers to accomplish His purposes on earth. The Importance of Giving Glory to GodHerod's failure to give glory to God led to his downfall. Believers are encouraged to always acknowledge God's hand in their successes and lives. The Consequences of IdolatryThe people of Tyre and Sidon idolized Herod, which contributed to his pride. This serves as a warning against elevating humans to divine status. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Acts 12
How reliable is the timeline of events in Acts 12 compared to external historical records documenting Herod's reign and demise?
Is there any historical or archaeological evidence outside the Bible to confirm Peter’s miraculous prison escape in Acts 12?
Who was Herod Agrippa II?
Proverbs 11:21 asserts the wicked will not go unpunished—what evidence shows consistent justice in history, given many evil rulers died peacefully?(23) The angel of the Lord smote him.--The intervention of the angel is obviously regarded by St. Luke as the only adequate explanation at once of the death of the persecutor and of the escape of his victim, and in the former he recognised not only what has been called the irony of history, or an instance of the law of Nemesis, bringing down the haughty in the very hour of their triumph, but a direct chastisement for an act of impiety. Because he gave not God the glory.--The words probably mean something more than that he did not ascribe to God the praise which was due to Him, and Him only. To "give God the glory" was a phrase always connected with the confession of sin and weakness, as inJoshua 7:19. (See Note onJohn 9:24.) He was eaten of worms.--The specific form of the disease is not named by Josephus, and St. Luke's precision in describing it may fairly be regarded as characteristic of his calling. The form of the disease, probably of the nature ofphtheiriasis,or themorbus pedicularis,from its exceptionally loathsome character, had always been regarded as of the nature of a divine chastisement. The more memorable instances of it recorded in history are those of Pheretimo of Cyrene (Herod. iv. 205), Sylla, Antiochus the Great (2 Maccabees 9:2), Herod the Great (Jos.Ant. xvii. 8), and Maximinus, among the persecutors of the Church (Euseb. viii. 16; ix. 10, 11; Lactant,De mort. Persecut. c. 33). The death of Agrippa took place A.D. 44, in the seventh year of his reign, and at the age of fifty-three. Verse 23.- An angel for the angel, A.V. ( Acts 5:19, note).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek Immediately,Παραχρῆμα(Parachrēma)Adverb
Strong's 3916:Instantly, immediately, on the spot. From para and chrema; at the thing itself, i.e. Instantly.becauseἀνθ’(anth’)Preposition
Strong's 473:A primary particle; opposite, i.e. Instead or because of.[Herod] did not giveἔδωκεν(edōken)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1325:To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.gloryδόξαν(doxan)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1391:From the base of dokeo; glory, in a wide application.to God,Θεῷ(Theō)Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316:A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.an angelἄγγελος(angelos)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 32:From aggello; a messenger; especially an 'angel'; by implication, a pastor.of [the] LordΚυρίου(Kyriou)Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962:Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.struckἐπάταξεν(epataxen)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3960:To smite, strike (as with a sword), smite to death, afflict. Probably prolongation from paio; to knock.him {down},αὐτὸν(auton)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.he wasγενόμενος(genomenos)Verb - Aorist Participle Middle - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1096:A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.eaten by wormsσκωληκόβρωτος(skōlēkobrōtos)Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4662:Eaten by worms. From skolex and a derivative of bibrosko; worm-eaten, i.e. Diseased with maggots.[and] died.ἐξέψυξεν(exepsyxen)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1634:To breathe my last, die, expire. From ek and psucho; to expire.
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NT Apostles: Acts 12:23 Immediately an angel of the Lord struck (Acts of the Apostles Ac) |
