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

The verse describes the anger of the people of Tyre and Sidon towards Herod Agrippa I because their region's economy depended on peace with his kingdom. Herod's judgment was swift and severe due to his cruelty and oppression of the Jews. The punishment delivered upon them by God served as a testament to God's power and justice against those who defied His will and persecuted His people.

Acts 12 20 Context

In Acts chapter 12, Herod Agrippa I, the grandson of Herod the Great, is depicted as persecuting the early Christian church. He has James, the brother of John, killed with a sword. Subsequently, he imprisons Peter, intending to kill him after the Passover festival. God intervenes through an angel, miraculously delivering Peter from prison. Meanwhile, Herod travels from Judea to Caesarea, where the people of Tyre and Sidon seek peace with him. Their city's livelihood was dependent on access to his kingdom's resources. During a festival where Herod wears magnificent royal attire and addresses the crowd, they flatter him, proclaiming him a god. Because Herod accepted this blasphemous acclamation and did not give glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him, and he was eaten by worms, dying a horrific death. This verse sets the stage for this divine retribution against Herod.

Acts 12 20 Word Analysis

• Now ( δὲ - de): A conjunction indicating contrast or transition, often translating as "but," "and," or "now." Here, it connects the narrative of Herod's actions against the church with his dealings with Tyre and Sidon.
• Herod (Ἡρώδης - Hērōdēs): Refers to Herod Agrippa I, a Roman client king in Judea and surrounding territories.
• was (ἦν - ēn): Imperfect tense of the verb "to be," indicating a continuous state or ongoing action in the past.
• angry (opyıσμévos - orgisménos): A participle meaning "being angered" or "having become angry." It implies a settled state of displeasure and wrath. The root is orgē (ὀργή), often translated as "wrath" or "anger," which can describe God's righteous anger against sin.
• with (πρός - pros): A preposition indicating direction towards, association with, or being opposed to someone or something. Here, it signifies the object of his anger.
• the people (δῆμος - dēmos): The populace or common people.
• of Tyre (Τυρίων - Tyríōn): The people belonging to the city of Tyre, a prosperous Phoenician port city known for its trade.
• and (καὶ - kai): A conjunction connecting words or clauses.
• Sidon (Σιδῶνος - Sidōnos): The people belonging to the city of Sidon, another major Phoenician port city north of Tyre.
• for (ὅτι - hoti): A conjunction introducing a reason or cause.
• their (αὐτῶν - autōn): Possessive pronoun, referring to Tyre and Sidon.
• country (χώρα - chōra): Land, region, or territory.
• from (ἀπό - apo): A preposition indicating origin or separation.
• the king’s (βασιλικῆς - basilikēs): Genitive case, feminine singular adjective meaning "royal," referring to Herod's kingdom or territory.
• was (ἦν - ēn): Imperfect tense of "to be."
• fed (σιτοδοτουμένη - sitodotoūménē): Perfect passive participle of sitodoteō (σιτοδοτέω), meaning "to provide food" or "to be supplied with food." This highlights the economic dependence.

Group Analysis:

• "angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon": This phrase points to a diplomatic or economic dispute. Tyre and Sidon's regional importance and reliance on Herod's territory for sustenance made them vulnerable to his displeasure.
• "for their country was fed from the king’s country": This clause explains the underlying reason for their desire for peace. Their agricultural or economic productivity was tied to land under Herod's control, making a conflict with him detrimental to their survival. This dependency emphasizes Herod's power and influence in the region.

Acts 12 20 Bonus Section

The historical context reveals that Tyre and Sidon, as coastal trading cities, were heavily reliant on hinterland resources for their sustenance. The region under Herod's rule, particularly Galilee and surrounding areas, likely provided essential agricultural goods. Their plea for peace indicates an astute understanding of regional politics and the need to maintain stable trade relations, especially given Herod's often volatile nature and his position as a favored client king of Rome. This interdependence underscores the fragility of earthly power structures and economies when set against divine sovereignty. The eventual judgment on Herod, described in the following verses, contrasts sharply with the temporary stability sought by Tyre and Sidon, serving as a stark reminder that true security comes from God, not from human rulers or alliances.

Acts 12 20 Commentary

Herod Agrippa I's anger towards Tyre and Sidon stemmed from their political and economic interests. These cities relied on the land belonging to Herod's kingdom for provisions. Because of this dependence, their representatives sought reconciliation with Herod. This encounter precedes the divine judgment that fell upon him, highlighting the temporal consequences of human pride and sin, especially when contrasted with God's ultimate justice and power, as dramatically shown later in the chapter with Herod's death. The verse serves to show a segment of Herod's reign marked by power struggles and economic dependencies that ultimately did not shield him from divine retribution for his impiety.