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The Death of Herod
…23Immediately, because Herod did not give glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.24Butthewordof Godcontinued to spreadandmultiply.25When Barnabas and Saul had fulfilled their mission to Jerusalem, they returned, bringing with them John, also called Mark.…

Treasury of Scripture

But the word of God grew and multiplied.

Acts 5:39
But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.

Acts 6:7
And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

Acts 11:21
And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.

ContinuedConvertsGod'sGrewGrowIncreaseIncreasingItselfMessageMultipliedMultiplyProsperedSpreadWordContinuedConvertsGod'sGrewGrowIncreaseIncreasingItselfMessageMultipliedMultiplyProsperedSpreadWord1.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.

But the word of God
The phrase "the word of God" refers to the message of the Gospel and the teachings of Jesus Christ as proclaimed by the apostles and early Christians. This message is rooted in the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah. The "word" is often seen as living and active, as described inHebrews 4:12, and is central to the mission of the early church. It is the divine revelation that guides believers and is the foundation of Christian faith.

continued to spread
The spread of the word of God indicates the growth and expansion of the early Christian church despite opposition and persecution. This phrase highlights the unstoppable nature of the Gospel, as seen inActs 1:8, where Jesus commissions His disciples to be His witnesses "to the ends of the earth." The spread is both geographical, moving from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, and beyond, and cultural, crossing barriers between Jews and Gentiles. This growth is often attributed to the work of the Holy Spirit, as seen inActs 2 during Pentecost.

and multiply.
The multiplication of the word of God suggests not only an increase in the number of believers but also the deepening of their faith and understanding. This multiplication is reminiscent of the parable of the sower inMatthew 13, where the seed that falls on good soil yields a bountiful harvest. The early church's growth is marked by the establishment of new communities of faith, the appointment of leaders, and the development of doctrine. This multiplication is a testament to the power of the Gospel to transform lives and societies, fulfilling Jesus' promise inMatthew 16:18 that He will build His church.

1.The Word of God
Refers to the message of the Gospel and the teachings of Jesus Christ as spread by the apostles and early Christians.

2.The Early Church
The community of believers in the first century who were spreading the Gospel despite persecution.

3.Herod Agrippa I
The king who persecuted the church, leading to the events that preceded this verse, including the death of James and the imprisonment of Peter.

4.Jerusalem
The central location of the early church and the starting point for the spread of the Gospel.

5.The Apostles
The primary messengers of the Gospel, who were instrumental in the spread of Christianity during this time.The Power of God's Word
The word of God is living and active, capable of transforming lives and societies. Despite human opposition, it continues to spread and multiply.

Perseverance in Persecution
The early church faced significant persecution, yet the Gospel continued to grow. Believers today can take courage that God’s purposes will prevail even in difficult times.

The Role of the Church
The church is called to be a vessel for spreading the word of God. Each believer has a role in this mission, contributing to the multiplication of the Gospel.

Faith in God's Sovereignty
Trust in God’s sovereignty is essential. Despite Herod’s attempts to suppress the church, God’s plan was not thwarted. Believers can rest in the assurance that God is in control.

The Importance of Evangelism
The growth of the word of God in Acts challenges believers to actively participate in evangelism, sharing the Gospel with others to see it continue to spread and multiply.1.What is the meaning of Acts 12:24?

2.How can we ensure "the word of God continued to spread" in our community?

3.What role does prayer play in the growth of God's word today?

4.How does Acts 12:24 connect with the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20?

5.What obstacles might hinder the spread of God's word in our lives?

6.How can we actively participate in "the word of God continued to spread"?

7.How does Acts 12:24 demonstrate the unstoppable nature of God's word despite persecution?

8.What historical evidence supports the growth of the early church as described in Acts 12:24?

9.How does Acts 12:24 reflect the fulfillment of Jesus' promise about the spread of the Gospel?

10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Acts 12?

11.What does the Bible say about unbelief?

12.Hosea 12:10: How do we verify God's prophetic revelations without external historical or textual proof?

13.Why does 1 Chronicles 27:23-24 mention divine wrath for numbering, yet still record a partial count of fighting men?

14.In Acts 24:10-15, Paul insists he adheres to Jewish tradition while also preaching resurrection; how does this align with his earlier conflicts over the Law?But

Luke sets up a sharp contrast. Herod’s violent suppression (Acts 12:1–23) seemed unstoppable, yet “But” pivots the storyline: opposition ends, God’s agenda marches on.

•Acts 5:39 reminds us, “If it is from God, you will not be able to stop them.”

• Paul echoes in2 Timothy 2:9, “God’s word is not chained.”

• Just as Pharaoh’s oppression only strengthened Israel (Exodus 1:12), Herod’s prideful demise shows the futility of fighting the Lord.

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The word of God

The focus is neither personalities nor strategies but the inspired, living message itself.

•Hebrews 4:12 calls it “living and active,” not stale words on a page.

•1 Peter 1:25 anchors us: “The word of the Lord stands forever.”

Because Scripture is literally true, its authority fuels confidence for every generation.

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Continued

The verb signals steady momentum, not a momentary spike.

• Jesus promised ongoing advance: “I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).

•Philippians 1:6 assures believers that He who began a good work will carry it on to completion.

Even leadership crises or cultural hostility cannot pause the divine timetable.

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To spread

God’s word travels from mouth to mouth, house to house, city to city.

• Earlier Luke noted, “The word of God continued to spread, and the number of disciples in Jerusalem increased” (Acts 6:7).

• ByActs 19:20 the pattern persists: “So the word of the Lord powerfully continued to spread and prevail.”

Practical outworking:

- Geographic expansion (Jerusalem → Judea → Samaria → ends of the earth,Acts 1:8).

- Cultural crossings (Jews to Gentiles,Acts 10–11).

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And multiply

The gospel multiplies disciples, not just converts.

•Acts 9:31 reports churches being “built up…and increasing in numbers.”

•Colossians 1:6 testifies the gospel is “bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world.”

The imagery echoesGenesis 1:28—God delights in multiplication. Where the seed of the word falls into good soil, it bears “a crop—a hundredfold” (Luke 8:8).

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summary

Acts 12:24 declares that despite fierce opposition, the inspired message of Scripture kept advancing in reach and in the number of transformed lives. Herod’s throne crumbled; God’s word flourished. That same living word remains unstoppable today, assuring believers that every promise will stand and every purpose will be fulfilled.

(24)But the word of God grew and multiplied.--The words describe a continuous expansion. The death of the chief persecutor left free scope for the activity of the preachers of the gospel, of which they were not slow to avail themselves.

Verse 24. -The word of God grew and multiplied in Jerusalem and the neighborhood, in spite of Agrippa's persecution. The blood of the martyr James was the seed of the Church, and the speedy vengeance taken by God upon the persecuter doubtless gave fresh courage to his people to confess the Name of Jesus Christ. As regards the preceding account of Herod Agrippa's death, it is corroborated in the most remarkable manner by the narrative in Josephus ('Ant. Jud.,' 19. 8:2). He there tells that when he had been three years King of all Judaea (see ver. 1, note) he went to Caesarea. And that on occasion of a festival celebrated "for the safety of Caesar" (some think to celebrate his return from Britain, while others, as Wieseler, think that they were the ordinary Quinquennalia, celebrated in the provinces), he exhibited games and spectacles in honor of Claudius. On the second day of these games, when a vast number of people were assembled in the theatre, Agrippa can? m, clothed in a garment wholly made of silver, which reflected the rays of the morning sun with a most dazzling and awful brilliancy. Whereupon his flatterers cried out that he was a god, and offered prayer to him. The king, he adds, did not rebuke them nor reject their impious flattery, he was presently seized with a violent pain in his bowels, which soon became so intense that he was carried out of the theatre to his palace, and expired after five days of excruciating pain. It is curious that in the above account Josephus says that Agrippa saw an owl sitting over his head, which he recognized as a messenger (ἄγγελον) of evil to him. Eusebius, quoting Josephus Eccl. Hist.,' 2. 10.), leaves out the owl, and says that Agrippa saw an angel sitting over his head, whom he recognized as the cause of his sufferings. Whiston, in a note, seeks to exonerate Eusebius from unfairness in the quotation by suggesting that the manuscript of Eusebius is in this place corrupt; but Bede quotes Josephus just as Eusebius does, unless perchance he is quoting him at second hand from Eusebius.

Parallel Commentaries ...


But
δὲ(de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161:A primary particle; but, and, etc.

the
Ὁ(Ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

word
λόγος(logos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3056:From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.

of God
θεοῦ(theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316:A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

continued to spread
ηὔξανεν(ēuxanen)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 837:(a) I cause to increase, become greater (b) I increase, grow. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to grow, i.e. Enlarge.

and
καὶ(kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.

multiply.
ἐπληθύνετο(eplēthyneto)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4129:To increase, multiply. From another form of plethos; to increase.


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NT Apostles: Acts 12:24 But the word of God grew (Acts of the Apostles Ac)