Acts 12:22
What does Acts 12:22 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 12:22 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 12:22 means
The crowd shouts, “The voice of a god, and not of a man.” Whether from fear, manipulation, or misplaced zeal, they attribute divine status to Herod’s speech. The temptation is clear: to accept praise that belongs to God alone. This line is the climax of human flattery and the tipping point of blasphemy. In Scripture, the living God does not share His glory. Herod’s response—his failure to reject and redirect the adulation—will be decisive. The scene unmasks how easily human power seeks or receives worship, reminding readers that voices praising a ruler can become voices against the truth.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And the people shouted, saying, The voice of a god, and not of a man.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And the people shouted, saying, The voice of a god, and not of a man.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And the people, with loud cries, said, It is the voice of a god, not of a man.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and the populace were shouting, `The voice of a god, and not of a man;'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And the people made acclamation, saying: It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And the people cried out, Agod's voice and not a man's.
Context
After Herod’s formal appearance and speech, the people respond with extravagant acclaim. This prepares the way for God’s decisive intervention in verse 23. The contrast is intentional: Peter publicly gave glory to the Lord for his deliverance; Herod will now receive glory as if he were a god. The narrative is ready to show the outcome of each stance—life for the church and death for the arrogant king.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Revelation 13:4
and they worshipped the dragon, because he gave his authority unto the beast; and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? and who is able to war with him?
- Daniel 6:7
All the presidents of the kingdom, the deputies and the satraps, the counsellors and the governors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a strong interdict, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any god or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.
- Acts 14:10
said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped up and walked.
- Jude 1:16
These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their lusts (and their mouth speaketh great swelling words), showing respect of persons for the sake of advantage.
- Psalms 12:2
They speak falsehood every one with his neighbor: With flattering lip, and with a double heart, do they speak.
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