Acts 12:18-25
Journal
Please use one of the prompts below to get your journaling started.
- Explore your fears and what’s behind them.
- Write about a relational conflict you are experiencing.
- List out all that you are grateful for.
- Recall a significant reaction, conversation or event.
- Here are some tools to help you with the devotionals:
Commentary
Bible Text: Acts 12:18-25 (ESV)
18 Now when day came, there was no little disturbance among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. 19 And after Herod searched for him and did not find him, he examined the sentries and ordered that they should be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and spent time there.
20 Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they came to him with one accord, and having persuaded Blastus, the king’s chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king’s country for food. 21 On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them. 22 And the people were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!” 23 Immediately 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.
24 But the word of God increased and multiplied.
25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had completed their service, bringing with them John, whose other name was Mark.
Go Deeper
Acts 12:20-25
- Reflect on the irony of an outwardly impressive man who is dressed in “royal robes” and sitting on a “throne,” yet is full of parasitic worms.
- Reflect on the words of v. 24 that follow the report of Herod’s death.
- What lessons can I apply from this passage?
[1] Leander E. Keck, The New Interpreter’s Bible: Acts (Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 2002) 178-179
[2] Fernando, Acts, The NIV Application Commentary Series, 362-363.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Ibid.
[6] Fernando, Acts, The NIV Application Commentary Series, 363-364.
[7] Ibid.
Prayer