Acts 12:20

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. AND HEROD WAS HIGHLY DISPLEASED WITH, [ thumoomachoon (G2371)] - 'bore a hostile grudge' at (as in the margin), THEM OF TYRE AND SIDON - for some reason unknown; but the effect of this on their commercial relations made the latter glad to sue for peace. 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 - as of old. Thus (Ezekiel 27:17) "Judah and the land of Israe...

20.A worthy (761) history, which doth not only show, as it were in a glass, what end is prepared for the enemies of the Church, but also how greatly God hateth pride. The Scripture saith that “God resisteth the proud,” (1 Peter 5:5.) God himself did show a lively image thereof in the person of Herod. And assuredly men cannot extol themselves higher than becometh them, but they shall make war with God, who, to the end he may surpass all, (762) commandeth all flesh to keep silence. And if God did so sharply punish pride in a king whom prosperity did puff up, what shall become of those of the common sort who are ridiculously puffed up without cause? Furthermore, we must note the course of the history, that all things go well with Herod after that he had miserably vexed the Church; he enforced the nations round about him, be

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 recon...

Verse Acts 12:20. _HIGHLY DISPLEASED WITH THEM OF TYRE_] On what account Herod was thus displeased is not related by any historian, as far as I have been able to ascertain. Josephus, who speaks of this journey of Herod to Caesarea, says nothing of it; and it is useless for us to conjecture. _HAVING MADE BLASTUS-THEIR FRIEND_] Blastus was probably a eunuch, and had considerable influence over his master Herod; and, to reach the master, it is likely they _bribed_ the chamberlain. _DESIRED PEACE_] The Tyrians and Sidonians being equally subjects of the Roman government with the inhabitants of Galilee, Herod could not go to war with them; but, being irritated against them, he might prevent their supplies: they therefore endeavoured to be on _peaceable_, i.e. friendly, terms with him. Their country was no

AND HEROD WAS HIGHLY DISPLEASED ... - Greek: “bore a hostile mind,” intending war. See the margin. The Greek word θυμομαχῶν thumomachōn does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament. It means to meditate war; to purpose war in the mind; or here, probably, to be enraged or angry at them. What was the cause of this hostility to the people of Tyre and Sidon is not mentioned, and conjecture is useless. It is not at all inconsistent, however, with the well known character of Herod. It was probably from some cause relating to commerce. Tyre and Sidon were under the Roman power, and had some shadow of liberty (Grotius), and it is probable that they might have embarrassed Herod in some of his regulations respecting commerce. TYRE AND SIDON - See the notes on Matthew 11:21

EXPOSITION ACTS 12:1 _Put _for _stretched, _A.V.;_ afflict _for _vex, _A.V. The phrase, ABOUT THAT TIME, as in Acts 19:23, points to what had just before been related (Meyer). The interposition of the narrative in this chapter between Acts 11:20 and Acts 12:25 evidently implies that the bulk or rather the chief of the events narrated happened in the interval. Which of the events was the chief in the mind of the narrator with reference to his general narrative, and what are the coincidences which he wished to note, it is not easy to say with certainty. The narrative in this c

AND HEROD WAS HIGHLY DISPLEASED WITH THEM OF TYRE AND SIDON,.... Two cities on the sea coast, in the land of Phoenicia; with the inhabitants of which Herod was so enraged, that though he had not declared war against them, yet he had meditated it in his mind, and intended to do it at a proper time: what gave him this offence is not certain; that it should be for entertaining and concealing of Peter, when he made his escape, is without any foundation; and nothing but this following on that account, could ever occasion such a thought: BUT THEY CAME WITH ONE ACCORD TO HIM; the ambassadors from both cities united in an address to him, and joined in ways and means to reconcile him to them: AND HAVING MADE BLASTUS THE KING'S CHAMBERLAIN THEIR FRIEND; not merely by arguments, entreaties, and good works, but very likely by gifts, by making presents to him: persons in such an office had usually...

ACTS 12:20-22 The account in the Western text of the last days and death of Herod Agrippa I differs in several respects from that in the commonly received text. By using ga,r instead of de, (ver. Acts 12:20) the scribe of D indicates more clearly the reason why it was that, according to ver. Acts 12:19, Herod had gone down “from Judea to Caesarea”— it was to hold an audience with representatives from two neighboring cities, Tyre and Sidon. The non-Western text declares that the people of Tyre and Sidon “came to him in a body” (o`moqumado.n de. parh/s...

CHAPTER 12 _ 1. The great Persecution by Herod Agrippa I (Acts 12:1)._ 2. The miraculous deliverance of Peter (Acts 12:6). 3. The Presumption and Judgment of Herod (Acts 12:18). 4. Barnabas and Saul returning to Jerusalem (Acts 12:24). With this chapter we reach the conclusion of the second part of this book. Jerusalem had heard the second offer concerning the Kingdom, and mercy was ready even for the murderers of the Prince of Life. But that offer was rejected. Stephen's testimony followed by his martyrdom marked the close of that second offer to the city where our Lord had been crucified. Then broke out a great p

FATE OF THE SOLDIERS AND OF HEROD. For the soldiers, _cf. Acts 5:21_ ff. Here they are led away to be put to death. The story of Herod's glorification and end is told by Josephus in a similar way; but our version is at some points defective. Herod's displeasure with Tyre dates from an earlier period; no disagreement with Sidon is reported. As king of Judæ a he had a hold on the two towns which depended on importation for their corn, and they might seek to work on him through Blastus, the Master of his Bedchamber; he was a good-natured man they could get round him. Acts 12:21_ b_ requires some such clause as is found in D, on his being reconciled to the Tyrians. His decision was evidently to be given at a splendid court ceremony. The scene is described by Josephus (_Ant._ XIX. viii. 2) who s