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frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/acts/12-23.htm" title="Acts 12:23">◄</a> Acts 12:24 <a href="/acts/12-25.htm" title="Acts 12:25">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/acts/12.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/acts/12.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />But the word of God continued to spread and flourish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/acts/12.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Meanwhile, the word of God continued to spread, and there were many new believers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/acts/12.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />But the word of God increased and multiplied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/acts/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />But the word of God continued to spread and multiply.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/acts/12.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />But the word of God continued to grow and to multiply.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/acts/12.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />But the word of God grew and multiplied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/acts/12.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But the word of God grew and multiplied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/acts/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But the word of the Lord continued to grow and to be multiplied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/acts/12.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />But the word of the Lord continued to grow and to be multiplied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/acts/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />But the word of the Lord continued to grow and to be multiplied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/acts/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But the word of the Lord continued to grow and to be multiplied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/acts/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But the word of the Lord [the good news about salvation through Christ] continued to grow and spread [increasing in effectiveness].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/acts/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But the word of God spread and multiplied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/acts/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then God&#8217s message flourished and multiplied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/acts/12.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />But the word of God grew and multiplied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/acts/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />God's message kept spreading. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/acts/12.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />But the word of God grew and multiplied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/acts/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />But God's word continued to spread and win many followers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/acts/12.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Meanwhile the word of God continued to spread and grow. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/acts/12.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />But the word of God continued to grow and spread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/acts/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But the word of God continued to spread and multiply.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/acts/12.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />But the word of God kept on increasing and multiplying. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/acts/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />But the word of God grew and multiplied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/acts/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />But the word of God grew and multiplied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/acts/12.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />But God's Message prospered, and converts were multiplied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/acts/12.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />But the word of God grew and multiplied. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/acts/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And the word of God grew and multiplied,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/acts/12.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />But the word of God continued to grow and to multiply.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/acts/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the word of God did grow and did multiply,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/acts/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the word of God increased and multiplied.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/acts/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But the word of the Lord increased and multiplied. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/acts/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But the word of the Lord was increasing and multiplying.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/acts/12.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />But the word of God continued to spread and grow. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/acts/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />But the word of God continued to advance and gain adherents.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/acts/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But the gospel of God continued to be preached and to reach many.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/acts/12.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />And The Gospel of God was proclaimed and it grew.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/acts/12.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />But the word of the Lord increased and multiplied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/acts/12.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />And the word of the Lord increased and multiplied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/acts/12.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />But the word of the Lord increased, and was widely diffused.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/acts/12.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />word of God made continual progress, and after Barnabas<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/acts/12.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />But God's Message prospered, and converts were multiplied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/acts/12.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />But the word of God was growing, and multiplying.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/acts/12.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />But the word of God grew and was multiplied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/acts/12-24.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/in5WTRQ9BSQ?start=4039" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/acts/12.htm">The Death of Herod</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">23</span>Immediately, because Herod did not give glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died. <span class="reftext">24</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">But</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: Ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/3056.htm" title="3056: logos (N-NMS) -- From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.">word</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: theou (N-GMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">of God</a> <a href="/greek/837.htm" title="837: ēuxanen (V-IIA-3S) -- (a) I cause to increase, become greater (b) I increase, grow. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to grow, i.e. Enlarge.">continued to spread</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/4129.htm" title="4129: eplēthyneto (V-IIM/P-3S) -- To increase, multiply. From another form of plethos; to increase.">multiply.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">25</span>When Barnabas and Saul had fulfilled their mission to Jerusalem, they returned, bringing with them John, also called Mark.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/6-7.htm">Acts 6:7</a></span><br />So the word of God continued to spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem grew rapidly, and a great number of priests became obedient to the faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/19-20.htm">Acts 19:20</a></span><br />So the word of the Lord powerfully continued to spread and prevail.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-11.htm">Isaiah 55:11</a></span><br />so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/1-6.htm">Colossians 1:6</a></span><br />that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood the grace of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_thessalonians/3-1.htm">2 Thessalonians 3:1</a></span><br />Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may spread quickly and be held in honor, just as it was with you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-14.htm">Matthew 24:14</a></span><br />And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/16-20.htm">Mark 16:20</a></span><br />And they went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked through them, confirming His word by the signs that accompanied it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/8-11.htm">Luke 8:11</a></span><br />Now this is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/2-13.htm">1 Thessalonians 2:13</a></span><br />And we continually thank God because, when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God, which is also now at work in you who believe.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/2-9.htm">2 Timothy 2:9</a></span><br />for which I suffer to the extent of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/4-12.htm">Hebrews 4:12</a></span><br />For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/1-23.htm">1 Peter 1:23-25</a></span><br />For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. / For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, / but the word of the Lord stands forever.” And this is the word that was proclaimed to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/147-15.htm">Psalm 147:15</a></span><br />He sends forth His command to the earth; His word runs swiftly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/23-29.htm">Jeremiah 23:29</a></span><br />“Is not My word like fire,” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer that smashes a rock?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/9-7.htm">Isaiah 9:7</a></span><br />Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">But the word of God grew and multiplied.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/5-39.htm">Acts 5:39</a></b></br> But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/6-7.htm">Acts 6:7</a></b></br> And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/11-21.htm">Acts 11:21</a></b></br> And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/acts/12-16.htm">Continued</a> <a href="/acts/2-11.htm">Converts</a> <a href="/acts/12-22.htm">God's</a> <a href="/acts/9-31.htm">Grew</a> <a href="/acts/5-24.htm">Grow</a> <a href="/acts/6-7.htm">Increase</a> <a href="/acts/9-22.htm">Increasing</a> <a href="/acts/12-10.htm">Itself</a> <a href="/acts/11-19.htm">Message</a> <a href="/acts/9-31.htm">Multiplied</a> <a href="/acts/6-7.htm">Multiply</a> <a href="/hosea/10-1.htm">Prospered</a> <a href="/acts/11-28.htm">Spread</a> <a href="/acts/11-19.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/acts/13-43.htm">Continued</a> <a href="/acts/13-43.htm">Converts</a> <a href="/acts/13-5.htm">God's</a> <a href="/acts/15-39.htm">Grew</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-6.htm">Grow</a> <a href="/romans/5-20.htm">Increase</a> <a href="/acts/16-5.htm">Increasing</a> <a href="/acts/24-12.htm">Itself</a> <a href="/acts/13-5.htm">Message</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/4-15.htm">Multiplied</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/9-10.htm">Multiply</a> <a href="/romans/1-10.htm">Prospered</a> <a href="/acts/13-49.htm">Spread</a> <a href="/acts/13-5.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Acts 12</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/12-1.htm">King Herod persecutes the Christians, kills James, and imprisons Peter; </a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/12-6.htm">whom an angel delivers upon the prayers of the church.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/12-20.htm">Herod in his pride taking to himself the honor due to God, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/12-23.htm">is stricken by an angel, and dies miserably.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/12-24.htm">After his death, the word of God prospers.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/12-25.htm">Saul and Barnabas return to Antioch.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/12.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/acts/12.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>But the word of God</b><br>The phrase "the word of God" refers to the message of the Gospel and the teachings of Jesus Christ as proclaimed by the apostles and early Christians. This message is rooted in the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah. The "word" is often seen as living and active, as described in <a href="/hebrews/4-12.htm">Hebrews 4:12</a>, and is central to the mission of the early church. It is the divine revelation that guides believers and is the foundation of Christian faith.<p><b>continued to spread</b><br>The spread of the word of God indicates the growth and expansion of the early Christian church despite opposition and persecution. This phrase highlights the unstoppable nature of the Gospel, as seen in <a href="/acts/1-8.htm">Acts 1:8</a>, where Jesus commissions His disciples to be His witnesses "to the ends of the earth." The spread is both geographical, moving from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, and beyond, and cultural, crossing barriers between Jews and Gentiles. This growth is often attributed to the work of the Holy Spirit, as seen in <a href="/acts/2.htm">Acts 2</a> during Pentecost.<p><b>and multiply.</b><br>The multiplication of the word of God suggests not only an increase in the number of believers but also the deepening of their faith and understanding. This multiplication is reminiscent of the parable of the sower in <a href="/matthew/13.htm">Matthew 13</a>, where the seed that falls on good soil yields a bountiful harvest. The early church's growth is marked by the establishment of new communities of faith, the appointment of leaders, and the development of doctrine. This multiplication is a testament to the power of the Gospel to transform lives and societies, fulfilling Jesus' promise in <a href="/matthew/16-18.htm">Matthew 16:18</a> that He will build His church.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_word_of_god.htm">The Word of God</a></b><br>Refers to the message of the Gospel and the teachings of Jesus Christ as spread by the apostles and early Christians.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_early_church.htm">The Early Church</a></b><br>The community of believers in the first century who were spreading the Gospel despite persecution.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/h/herod_agrippa_i.htm">Herod Agrippa I</a></b><br>The king who persecuted the church, leading to the events that preceded this verse, including the death of James and the imprisonment of Peter.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The central location of the early church and the starting point for the spread of the Gospel.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_apostles.htm">The Apostles</a></b><br>The primary messengers of the Gospel, who were instrumental in the spread of Christianity during this time.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_god's_word.htm">The Power of God's Word</a></b><br>The word of God is living and active, capable of transforming lives and societies. Despite human opposition, it continues to spread and multiply.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/perseverance_in_persecution.htm">Perseverance in Persecution</a></b><br>The early church faced significant persecution, yet the Gospel continued to grow. Believers today can take courage that God’s purposes will prevail even in difficult times.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_church.htm">The Role of the Church</a></b><br>The church is called to be a vessel for spreading the word of God. Each believer has a role in this mission, contributing to the multiplication of the Gospel.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_god's_sovereignty.htm">Faith in God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>Trust in God’s sovereignty is essential. Despite Herod’s attempts to suppress the church, God’s plan was not thwarted. Believers can rest in the assurance that God is in control.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_evangelism.htm">The Importance of Evangelism</a></b><br>The growth of the word of God in Acts challenges believers to actively participate in evangelism, sharing the Gospel with others to see it continue to spread and multiply.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_acts_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Acts 12</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_unbelief.htm">What does the Bible say about unbelief?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/verify_god's_prophecies_without_proof.htm">Hosea 12:10: How do we verify God's prophetic revelations without external historical or textual proof?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_record_a_partial_count_in_1_chron_27.htm">Why does 1 Chronicles 27:23-24 mention divine wrath for numbering, yet still record a partial count of fighting men?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_acts_24_10-15_align_with_paul's_conflicts.htm">In Acts 24:10-15, Paul insists he adheres to Jewish tradition while also preaching resurrection; how does this align with his earlier conflicts over the Law?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/acts/12.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(24) <span class= "bld">But the word of God grew and multiplied.</span>--The words describe a continuous expansion. The death of the chief persecutor left free scope for the activity of the preachers of the gospel, of which they were not slow to avail themselves.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/acts/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 24.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The word of God grew and multiplied</span> in Jerusalem and the neighborhood, in spite of Agrippa's persecution. The blood of the martyr James was the seed of the Church, and the speedy vengeance taken by God upon the persecuter doubtless gave fresh courage to his people to confess the Name of Jesus Christ. As regards the preceding account of Herod Agrippa's death, it is corroborated in the most remarkable manner by the narrative in Josephus ('Ant. Jud.,' 19. 8:2). He there tells that when he had been three years King of all Judaea (see ver. 1, note) he went to Caesarea. And that on occasion of a festival celebrated "for the safety of Caesar" (some think to celebrate his return from Britain, while others, as Wieseler, think that they were the ordinary Quinquennalia, celebrated in the provinces), he exhibited games and spectacles in honor of Claudius. On the second day of these games, when a vast number of people were assembled in the theatre, Agrippa can? m, clothed in a garment wholly made of silver, which reflected the rays of the morning sun with a most dazzling and awful brilliancy. Whereupon his flatterers cried out that he was a god, and offered prayer to him. The king, he adds, did not rebuke them nor reject their impious flattery, he was presently seized with a violent pain in his bowels, which soon became so intense that he was carried out of the theatre to his palace, and expired after five days of excruciating pain. It is curious that in the above account Josephus says that Agrippa saw an owl sitting over his head, which he recognized as a messenger (<span class="greek">ἄγγελον</span>) of evil to him. Eusebius, quoting Josephus Eccl. Hist.,' 2. 10.), leaves out the owl, and says that Agrippa saw an angel sitting over his head, whom he recognized as the cause of his sufferings. Whiston, in a note, seeks to exonerate Eusebius from unfairness in the quotation by suggesting that the manuscript of Eusebius is in this place corrupt; but Bede quotes Josephus just as Eusebius does, unless perchance he is quoting him at second hand from Eusebius. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/acts/12-24.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">But</span><br /><span class="grk">δὲ</span> <span class="translit">(de)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary particle; but, and, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the</span><br /><span class="grk">Ὁ</span> <span class="translit">(Ho)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">word</span><br /><span class="grk">λόγος</span> <span class="translit">(logos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3056.htm">Strong's 3056: </a> </span><span class="str2">From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of God</span><br /><span class="grk">θεοῦ</span> <span class="translit">(theou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> </span><span class="str2">A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">continued to spread</span><br /><span class="grk">ηὔξανεν</span> <span class="translit">(ēuxanen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_837.htm">Strong's 837: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) I cause to increase, become greater (b) I increase, grow. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to grow, i.e. Enlarge.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">multiply.</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐπληθύνετο</span> <span class="translit">(eplēthyneto)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4129.htm">Strong's 4129: </a> </span><span class="str2">To increase, multiply. From another form of plethos; to increase.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/acts/12-24.htm">Acts 12:24 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/acts/12-24.htm">Acts 12:24 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/acts/12-24.htm">Acts 12:24 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/acts/12-24.htm">Acts 12:24 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/acts/12-24.htm">Acts 12:24 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/acts/12-24.htm">Acts 12:24 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/acts/12-24.htm">Acts 12:24 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/acts/12-24.htm">Acts 12:24 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/acts/12-24.htm">Acts 12:24 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/acts/12-24.htm">Acts 12:24 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/acts/12-24.htm">NT Apostles: Acts 12:24 But the word of God grew (Acts of the Apostles Ac) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/acts/12-23.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Acts 12:23"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Acts 12:23" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/acts/12-25.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Acts 12:25"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Acts 12:25" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>