Acts 12:20
What does Acts 12:20 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 12:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 12:20 means
Herod, angered with Tyre and Sidon, holds leverage over them because their region depends on food from his territory. They seek reconciliation, wisely winning the favor of Blastus, the king’s chamberlain, to gain access. The scene exposes the political calculations of the day: grievances, negotiations, and dependence woven together. In contrast to the church’s earnest prayer, here the tools are influence and flattery. This context prepares for Herod’s public display, where the question of honor and glory will come to a head. God is at work even in these political currents, steering events toward a revealing moment.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Now he was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: and they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king’s chamberlain their friend, they asked for peace, because their country was fed from the king’s country.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Now he was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: and they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king’s chamberlain their friend, they asked for peace, because their country was fed from the king’s country.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Now he was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon: and they came to him, all together, and having made friends with Blastus, the controller of the king's house, they made a request for peace, because their country was dependent on the king's country for its food.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Herod was highly displeased with the Tyrians and Sidonians, and with one accord they came unto him, and having made a friend of Blastus, who <FI>is<Fi> over the bed-chambers of the king, they were asking peace, because of their country being nourished from the king's;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And he was angry with the Tyrians and the Sidonians. But they with one accord came to him: and, having gained Blastus who was the king's chamberlain, they desired peace, because their countries were nourished by him.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And he was in bitter hostility with [the] Tyrians and Sidonians; but they came to him with one accord, and, having gained Blastus the king's chamberlain, sought peace, because their country was nourished by the king's.
Context
Having left Judæa for Cæsarea, Herod engages with regional politics. This verse explains why a public audience would matter to Tyre and Sidon and why they would flatter Herod. It sets the conditions for the “set day” in the next verse, when Herod will appear in royal splendor and speak. The narrative is gathering momentum toward a decisive act of pride in verses 21–22 and God’s swift judgment in verse 23, which will stand in sharp contrast to Peter’s deliverance.
v.19And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the guards, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judæa to Cæsarea, and tarried there.
v.20This passage
v.21And upon a set day Herod arrayed himself in royal apparel, and sat on the throne, and made an oration unto them.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 14:31
Or what king, as he goeth to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and take counsel whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
- Ezekiel 27:17
Judah, and the land of Israel, they were thy traffickers: they traded for thy merchandise wheat of Minnith, and pannag, and honey, and oil, and balm.
- Isaiah 27:4
Wrath is not in me: would that the briers and thorns were against me in battle! I would march upon them, I would burn them together.
- Proverbs 17:14
The beginning of strife isas when one letteth out water: Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarrelling.
- Ecclesiastes 10:4
If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for gentleness allayeth great offences.
- 2 Chronicles 2:15
Now therefore the wheat and the barley, the oil and the wine, which my lord hath spoken of, let him send unto his servants:
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