Bible Commentary

Acts 12:21

The Pulpit Commentary on Acts 12:21

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

Arrayed himself for arrayed, A.V.; and sat for sat, A.V. and T.R.; on the throne for upon his throne, A.V. On the throne. βῆμα does not mean "the king's throne," and is nowhere so rendered in the A.V.

but here. It means any raised stage or platform upon which a judge, or an orator, or any one wishing to address an assembly, stands. Here it means a high platform in the theatre at Caesarea, from whence the king, raised above the rest of the audience, could both see the games and make his speech to the people.

Recommended reading

More for Acts 12:21

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

The Pulpit Commentary on Acts 12:1-25Acts 12:1-25 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe persecution at Jerusalem. I. THE PUTTING TO DEATH OF JAMES, AND THE SEIZURE OF PETER. The narrative of the former event is short and dry. But, remarks a commentator, whatever the reason of this may be, it is certain…The Pulpit Commentary on Acts 12:1-25Acts 12:1-25 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITIONThe Pulpit Commentary on Acts 12:1-25Acts 12:1-25 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe world and the Church. There is, perhaps, no passage in Holy Scripture which contrasts more sharply the principles of the world and of the Church respectively, and the practice flowing from those principles, than the…Matthew Henry on Acts 12:20-25Acts 12:20-25 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryMany heathen princes claimed and received Divine honours, but it was far more horrible impiety in Herod, who knew the word and worship of the living God, to accept such idolatrous honours without rebuking the blasphemy.…The Death of HerodActs 12:20-25 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleTHE DEATH OF HEROD. In these verses we have, I. The death of Herod. God reckoned with him, not only for his putting James to death, but for his design and endeavour to put Peter to death; for sinners will be called to a…The Pulpit Commentary on Acts 12:20-23Acts 12:20-23 · The Pulpit CommentaryJudgment on the royal persecutor. I. THE WORLDLY POLICY, AND WHAT IT LEADS TO. Idolatry. Blasphemy. The atmosphere of corruption attacks the vitals. The man lives in a moral pest-house. He himself is at last devoured by…
commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Acts 12:1-25The persecution at Jerusalem. I. THE PUTTING TO DEATH OF JAMES, AND THE SEIZURE OF PETER. The narrative of the former event is short and dry. But, remarks a commentator, whatever the reason of this may be, it is certain…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Acts 12:1-25EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Acts 12:1-25The world and the Church. There is, perhaps, no passage in Holy Scripture which contrasts more sharply the principles of the world and of the Church respectively, and the practice flowing from those principles, than the…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryMatthew Henry on Acts 12:20-25Many heathen princes claimed and received Divine honours, but it was far more horrible impiety in Herod, who knew the word and worship of the living God, to accept such idolatrous honours without rebuking the blasphemy.…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Death of HerodTHE DEATH OF HEROD. In these verses we have, I. The death of Herod. God reckoned with him, not only for his putting James to death, but for his design and endeavour to put Peter to death; for sinners will be called to a…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Acts 12:20-23Judgment on the royal persecutor. I. THE WORLDLY POLICY, AND WHAT IT LEADS TO. Idolatry. Blasphemy. The atmosphere of corruption attacks the vitals. The man lives in a moral pest-house. He himself is at last devoured by…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Acts 12:20-23Human pride and Divine retribution. The main lesson which this incident conveys is the folly of human presumption. But there are side truths which the narrative suggests. 1. The interdependence of one nation on another:…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Acts 12:20-25The death of Herod. I. THE CIRCUMSTANCES. In the height of his power and haughtiness be is suddenly cast down. While raising himself arrogantly against the Majesty on high, by that Majesty he is brought low and put to s…Joseph S. Exell and contributors