Acts 12 20

Acts 12:20 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.

Acts 12:20 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.

Acts 12:20 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.

Acts 12:20 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.

Acts 12:20 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,

Acts 12 verses

Acts 12 20 Meaning

Acts 12:20 describes a critical geopolitical situation involving Herod Agrippa I and the Phoenician cities of Tyre and Sidon. Herod was intensely angered by them, likely due to trade disputes or political tensions. Facing economic distress and dependency on Herod’s territory for their food supply, the people of Tyre and Sidon sought reconciliation. They unified their efforts, strategically gaining the favor of Blastus, Herod’s trusted chamberlain, to mediate on their behalf and secure peace, which was essential for their survival. This highlights the vulnerability of these trading cities when agricultural supply lines from their powerful neighbor were threatened by political discord.

Acts 12 20 Context

Acts chapter 12 details the persecution of the early church by Herod Agrippa I. Herod, seeking to gain favor with the Jewish populace, had already executed James, the brother of John, and imprisoned Peter, intending to execute him after the Passover. Peter's miraculous escape (Acts 12:6-19) underscores God's protection of His church. Verse 20 shifts the narrative from internal church persecution to Herod’s political dealings with neighboring territories. Historically, Tyre and Sidon were wealthy Phoenician cities known for maritime trade and craftsmanship, but they were dependent on agricultural produce from their landlocked neighbors, including Judea. Herod Agrippa I, grandson of Herod the Great, was an astute political leader who ruled a substantial portion of Palestine by the time this event occurred (AD 41-44). His control over Judea meant control over crucial food supplies, giving him significant leverage over Tyre and Sidon, making peace vital for their survival and stability.

Acts 12 20 Word analysis

• Now Herod was very angry:
  • Herod: (Ἡρῴδης, Herōdēs) – Specifically Herod Agrippa I, grandson of Herod the Great. A prominent, politically motivated ruler seeking popular approval.
  • very angry: (θυμομαχέω, thymomacheō) – A strong term, literally meaning "to fight with anger," "to be highly indignant," or "to harbor strong hostile feelings." It signifies more than mere annoyance, indicating deep-seated resentment and potential for violent action, often fueled by personal affront or political slight. This intensity is key to understanding the cities' desperation.
• with the people of Tyre and Sidon:
  • Tyre and Sidon: Phoenician coastal cities, powerful in trade and maritime affairs (Ezek 26:2). Historically, they were often at odds or in complex relationships with Judea, sometimes dependent on its agricultural hinterland (1 Kgs 5:9-11). Their pride and commercial spirit are noted in OT prophecy (Isa 23; Joel 3:4).
• and they came to him with one accord:
  • they came: Implies a concerted, intentional delegation or embassy seeking to approach Herod.
  • with one accord: (ὁμοθυμαδόν, homothymadon) – Means "with one mind, with one passion," indicating a unified, harmonious purpose. Often used in Acts to describe the unity of the early church (Acts 1:14; 2:46), its use here for non-believing cities highlights the gravity of their shared predicament and their unified will to resolve it.
• and having won over Blastus, the king’s chamberlain:
  • won over: (πείθω, peithō) – "to persuade," "to convince," "to prevail upon." In this context, it could imply effective diplomatic persuasion, flattery, or even the subtle influence of gifts or bribes (Prov 18:16) given the ancient custom. It suggests a strategic and calculated approach.
  • Blastus: An otherwise unknown figure from scripture.
  • the king’s chamberlain: (ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ κοιτῶνος, ho epi tou koitōnos) – Literally, "the one over the bedchamber." This official held a position of extreme trust and intimacy with the king, having privileged access to his private quarters and often serving as a personal secretary or confidant. Such a role was powerful for mediation, as they could speak to the king away from formal court proceedings (Esth 4:4-5; Gen 40:1-2).
• they asked for peace:
  • asked for peace: (αἰτέω εἰρήνην, aiteō eirēnēn) – To request reconciliation, a cessation of hostilities, or diplomatic relations restored. This request underscores the urgency and severity of Herod’s anger.
• because their country was fed by the king’s country:
  • was fed by: (τρέφομαι, trephomai) – "to be nourished, sustained." This crucial phrase reveals the core reason for their diplomatic initiative. Their reliance on Herod’s agricultural lands (Galilee, Judea) for essential provisions, particularly grain, made peace not merely desirable but economically indispensable for their survival.
  • king’s country: Refers to Herod's domain, encompassing agriculturally rich regions that supplied the coastal cities. This economic dependency rendered them vulnerable to Herod’s anger and emphasized the existential threat that continued hostility posed.

Acts 12 20 Bonus section

The dependence of Tyre and Sidon on agricultural imports from "the king's country" (referring to the hinterland under Herod's control, likely including Galilee and Judea) reflects a common economic dynamic in the ancient Mediterranean. Coastal trading cities often did not produce sufficient food to sustain their populations, relying heavily on neighboring agricultural regions. This made them acutely susceptible to political or military blockades that could cut off their supply lines, highlighting a form of soft power Herod wielded. The "anger" (thymomacheo) of Herod points to a visceral, almost personal, resentment that transcended mere political disagreements. Such intense emotions from a ruler could swiftly lead to punitive measures with devastating effects. Blastus's role as ho epi tou koitōnos signifies the deep importance of trusted advisors in the inner circles of ancient monarchs, underscoring that influence often flowed not just through formal channels but through personal access and relationships. This incident is a pivotal setup for Herod’s blasphemous self-exaltation and subsequent divine judgment in the very next verses, illustrating the transient nature of earthly power even when successfully leveraged over other nations.

Acts 12 20 Commentary

Acts 12:20 offers a succinct yet profound glimpse into the political and economic realities of the ancient world. Herod Agrippa's intense anger posed a significant threat to the Phoenician cities of Tyre and Sidon, not primarily militarily, but existentially, by cutting off their vital food supply. These mercantile cities, despite their wealth from trade, were agriculturally dependent on the "king's country." Their unified appeal for peace, strategically channeled through Herod's trusted chamberlain Blastus, reveals both their diplomatic astuteness and their dire need. This verse skillfully sets the stage for the dramatic culmination of Herod's reign, foreshadowing the theme that human power, however great, is ultimately subject to divine sovereignty, preparing for his divine judgment that follows later in the chapter (Acts 12:21-23). The need for external supplies meant their prosperity and very survival hinged on maintaining favorable political relations, showcasing the vulnerability inherent in their economic model.