Acts 12:20 - Printer Friendly

ESV: 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.

NIV: 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.

NASB: Now he was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon; and with one mind they came to him, and having won over Blastus the king’s chamberlain, they were asking for peace, because their country was supported with grain from the king’s country.

CSB: Herod had been very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. Together they presented themselves before him. After winning over Blastus, who was in charge of the king's bedroom, they asked for peace, because their country was supplied with food from the king's country.

NLT: Now Herod was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. So they sent a delegation to make peace with him because their cities were dependent upon Herod’s country for food. The delegates won the support of Blastus, Herod’s personal assistant,

KJV: And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's country.

NKJV: Now Herod had been very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon; but they came to him with one accord, and having made Blastus the king’s personal aide their friend, they asked for peace, because their country was supplied with food by the king’s country.

Herod Agrippa I is the grandson of Herod the Great and king over almost all his territory with the exception of Decapolis. Agrippa makes his home in Jerusalem where he can maintain favorable relations with the Jewish leaders. Although foolish in his youth, when he became king of Judea, Agrippa kept Caligula from installing a statue of himself in the temple; and Agrippa read aloud the Mosaic law to the people. His friendliness with the Jews has made him an enemy of the church; Agrippa arrested and beheaded the apostle James and arrested Peter, whom he would have executed had an angel not rescued Peter from prison (Acts 12:1–11). Now, Agrippa has come to the Roman capital of Caesarea Maritima on the coast of Samaria (Acts 12:19).

We're not told the nature of the conflict between Agrippa and Tyre and Sidon, but the language suggests they argued violently. Tyre and Sidon are two city-states in Phoenicia, north of Galilee. They have good ports and are known for their trading, but the narrow strip between the mountain range and the Mediterranean leaves little farmland. Egypt is well known for its wheat, but Galilee, Samaria, and Judea are closer. "With one accord" suggests the cities had a similar issue with Agrippa and agreed to join forces to present their complaints. Tyre and Sidon are still cities in Lebanon.

"Chamberlain" can also be translated "trusted personal attendant." "Persuaded" probably means bribed.

Acts 12:20–23 describes some of the details of the death of Herod Agrippa I. He was the first true king since his grandfather, Herod the Great, and ruled over nearly as much territory. He had an abnormally good relationship with the Jewish leadership and was one of the few Roman rulers of the area to persecute the church. But his favor with the Jews evidently contributed to his pride. He accepted the glory due only to God and died while his bowels were eaten by worms. Josephus, an ancient historian, provides some details Scripture does not.

Acts 12 starts with the first death of an apostle and ends with the death of a king. Herod Agrippa I beheads James and imprisons Peter. An angel rescues Peter and he quickly lets the church in Jerusalem know before he goes into hiding. Agrippa, grandson of Herod the Great and friend to the Pharisees, accepts glory due only to God and dies, likely a few days later, of internal worms. Meanwhile, the church continues to grow, and Barnabas and Saul return to Syrian Antioch. The scene is set for Paul's extensive ministry to the Gentiles.

When Acts 12 opens, at least some of the apostles are in Jerusalem, and Barnabas and Saul are in Syrian Antioch, collecting support so the church in Jerusalem can survive the coming famine (Acts 11:27–30). The church is established in Jerusalem and growing in the regions on the east coast of the Mediterranean Sea. When the chapter closes, Barnabas and Saul are poised for their missionary trip in modern-day Asia Minor. Saul will take on the Greek version of his name, Paul, and the story of Jesus will spread to Rome and beyond.

The summary of the book of Acts is provided in Jesus' words in Acts 1:8: ''But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'' In Acts 2:1–13, the Christ-followers receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:14—7:60 describes the rapid growth of the church in Jerusalem. Chapters 8—12 find Jewish persecution inadvertently spreading the gospel throughout Judea and Samaria. And in chapters 13—28, Paul and his companions spread the good news throughout the Roman Empire.