Verse 19: “For Herod was seeking him and he was not found, therefore he examined the guards and commanded them to be put to death. He (King Herod) went down from Judea and entered into Caesarea.”

The guards: A soldier obeys what he is told to do, but if he is told to do something that is against God’s will or commandments he should not obey.

Caesarea: The capital city of the Roman Empire in Israel.

Verse 20: “There was a great conflict between him (King Herod) and Tyre and Sidon. They were brought to one accord. Having secured the support of a man by the name of Blastus, who was placed as the chambermaid, they were seeking peace. On account that their region was nourished by the kings.”

Tyre and Sidon: Two Lebanese cities.

Brought to one accord: There was an agreement among them.

Blastus: The implication was that he was favourable towards the people of Tyre and Sidon.

Chambermaid: The person who guarded the king’s bed chambers.

Their region was nourished: They got their food from Israel.

Verse 21: “And on a designated day Herod, clothed in royal garments, sat upon the throne and he was going to give a public speech to them.”

On a designated day: God sent an angel on His appointed day (Passover). Now Herod has made for himself an appointed or designated festival and God, not pleased with what Herod was doing on this day, is again going to send an angel, but for a very different purpose.


Verse 22: “And the people cried out, ‘(This is) The voice of God and not of man.’”

The people cried out: They gave Herod great praise, but it was from the pit of hell. They were praising Herod as if he was a god.

Verse 23: “Immediately the angel of the L-rd struck him because he did not give thanks and glory to God. And it came about that the worms ate him up and he expired.”

Struck him: Same word as the one used in 12v7. In Peter’s life this strike brought about freedom, and an opportunity to serve God. In Herod’s life it brought about death (he expired).

Verse 24: “And the word of the L-rd was strong and also multiplied.”

Was strong: Became great. The Word of God became strong within the people. More and more people accepted that word in a powerful way.

Verse 25: “Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem having fulfilled their ministry, taking with them John, the one who is called Mark.”

Barnabas: Barnabas’ name is mentioned first. He has a leadership position at this time.

Fulfilled their ministry: Earlier, Barnabas went to get Saul to help him to strengthen the early believers and many of the Gentile believers who were outside of Israel. This purpose has now been fulfilled with the believers having been strengthened and multiplying in, around and outside of Jerusalem.