Acts 12:21

On an appointed day, Herod dressed himself in royal clothing, sat on the throne, and gave a speech to them.

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Other translations

WEBBE

On an appointed day, Herod dressed himself in royal clothing, sat on the throne, and gave a speech to them.

BSB

On the appointed day, Herod donned his royal robes, sat on his throne, and addressed the people.

ASV

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

Original Greek

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Τακτῇ Taktēa On the appointed G5002 δὲ de now G1161 ἡμέρᾳ hēmera day G2250 ὁ ho (the) G3588 Ἡρῴδης Hērōdēs Herod G2264 ἐνδυσάμενος endusamenos having put on G1746 ἐσθῆτα esthēta apparel G2066 βασιλικὴν basilikēn royal G937 καὶ kai and G2532 καθίσας kathisas having sat G2523 ἐπὶ epi on G1909 τοῦ tou the G3588 βήματος bēmatos throne G968 ἐδημηγόρει edēmēgorei was making an address G1215 πρὸς pros to G4314 αὐτούς autous them G846

The early church

Why does he mention this history? Say, what has it to do with the Gospel, that Herod is incensed with the Tyrians and Sidonians? It is not a small matter, even this, how immediately justice seized him; although not because of Peter, but because of his arrogant speaking. "And he went down from Judea to Caesarea, and there abode. And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon." He is now going to mention a matter of history: this is the reason why he adds the names, that it may be shown how he keeps to the truth in all things. "And," it says, "having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, they desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's country." For probably there was a famine. I suppose it was also to bring those men of Tyre and Sidon to apologize, that he withdrew from Jerusalem: for with those he was incensed, while paying such court to these. See how vainglorious the man is: meaning to confer the boon upon them, he makes an harangue. But Josephus says, that he was also arrayed in a splendid robe made of silver.
John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on Acts

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 20–25

Many heathen princes claimed and received Divine honours, but it was far more horrible impiety in Herod, who knew the word and worship of the living God, to accept such idolatrous honours without rebuking the blasphemy. And such men as Herod, when puffed with pride and vanity, are ripening fast for signal vengeance. God is very jealous for his own honour, and will be glorified upon those whom he is not glorified by. See what vile bodies we carry about with us; they have in them the seeds of their own dissolution, by which they will soon be destroyed, whenever God does but speak the word. We may learn wisdom from the people of Tyre and Sidon, for we have offended the Lord with our sins. We depend on him for life, and breath, and all things; it surely then behoves us to humble ourselves before him, that through the appointed Mediator, who is ever ready to befriend us, we may be reconciled to him, lest wrath come upon us to the utmost.

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Cross-references

7

People & places

Herod Agrippa I

Topics

Happiness

Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.