THE WORD OF GOD CONTINUED TO SPREAD

Passage: Acts 12:12-24

Key verse: 24

NIV

12 When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark,(A) where many people had gathered and were praying.(B) 13 Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door.(C) 14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed(D) she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!”

15 “You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.”(E)

16 But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. 17 Peter motioned with his hand(F) for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. “Tell James(G) and the other brothers and sisters(H) about this,” he said, and then he left for another place.

18 In the morning, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter. 19 After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him, he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be executed.(I)

Herod’s Death

Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea(J) and stayed there. 20 He had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon;(K) 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.(L)

21 On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. 22 They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” 23 Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel(M) of the Lord struck him down,(N) and he was eaten by worms and died.

24 But the word of God(O) continued to spread and flourish.(P)

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

12 When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of (A)John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and (B)were praying. 13 And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, (C)a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14 Recognizing Peter's voice, (D)in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. 15 They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is (E)his angel!” 16 But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. 17 But (F)motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell these things to (G)James and to (H)the brothers.”[a] Then he departed and went to another place.

18 Now when day came, there was no little disturbance among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. 19 And after Herod searched for him and did not find him, he examined the sentries and (I)ordered that they should be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and spent time there.

The Death of Herod

20 Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they came to him with one accord, and (J)having persuaded Blastus, the king's chamberlain,[b] they asked for peace, because (K)their country depended on the king's country for food. 21 On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them. 22 And the people were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!” 23 Immediately (L)an angel of the Lord struck him down, because (M)he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last.

24 But (N)the word of God increased and multiplied.

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Footnotes
  1. Acts 12:17 Or brothers and sisters
  2. Acts 12:20 That is, trusted personal attendant
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Astonished that God answers prayer (12-17)

Peter realized that he had been rescued from prison and death. He went to the home of Mary, where the church had gathered to pray for him. When he knocked and called, the servant girl recognized his voice, but she was so astonished that she forgot to open the door. They finally let him in and he told them how the Lord had rescued him. Then he went into hiding for a time. God answers prayer.

2. Herod's death (18-25)

Herod had the guards executed. He thought he could destroy the church of God, but he himself died a miserable death. He exercised the power of life and death over the people of a certain province by controlling their food supply. He enjoyed their flattery when they called him a god. Immediately, an angel of God struck him down; he was eaten by worms and died. But the word of God continued to increase and spread.

Prayer: Lord, teach me to love and fear you--and to believe that you answer prayer.

One Word: The devil can't win when we pray