Acts 12:23
What does Acts 12:23 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 12:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 12:23 means
Immediately, an angel of the Lord strikes Herod because he did not give God the glory. He is “eaten of worms” and dies—a graphic judgment that matches the gravity of his sin. The same God who sent an angel to rescue Peter now sends an angel to judge a prideful ruler. Divine justice is not thwarted by rank or ceremony. Herod’s failure is not eloquence, but idolatry: he accepted worship. The gruesome end exposes the emptiness of worldly splendor. God vindicates His honor and protects His church, showing that rulers who oppose Him and usurp His glory cannot stand.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And immediately an angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And immediately an angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And straight away the angel of the Lord sent a disease on him, because he did not give the glory to God: and his flesh was wasted away by worms, and so he came to his end.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and presently there smote him a messenger of the Lord, because he did not give the glory to God, and having been eaten of worms, he expired.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And forthwith an angel of the Lord struck him, because he had not given the honour to God: and, being eaten up by worms, he gave up the ghost.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And immediately an angel of [the] Lord smote him, because he did not give the glory toGod, and he expired, eaten of worms.
Context
This is the chapter’s dramatic reversal. After the crowd’s blasphemous praise, God acts at once. The judgment completes the contrast between Peter’s rescue and Herod’s prideful death, both mediated by an angel. The narrative will now pivot to the larger outcome in verse 24—the unstoppable growth of the word of God—showing that despite persecution and pomp, God’s purpose moves forward. The closing verse will reconnect with Barnabas and Saul, signaling the ongoing mission.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Chronicles 21:14
So Jehovah sent a pestilence upon Israel; and there fell of Israel seventy thousand men.
- Luke 12:47
And that servant, who knew his lord’s will, and made not ready, nor did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes;
- 2 Chronicles 21:18
And after all this Jehovah smote him in his bowels with an incurable disease.
- Exodus 9:17
As yet exaltest thou thyself against my people, that thou wilt not let them go?
- Isaiah 37:23
Whom hast thou defied and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted thy voice and lifted up thine eyes on high? even against the Holy One of Israel.
- Ezekiel 28:9
Wilt thou yet say before him that slayeth thee, I am God? but thou art man, and not God, in the hand of him that woundeth thee.
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