Acts 12:21

21 And in a day that was ordained, Herod was clothed with king's clothing, and sat for doomsman, and spake to them. [Forsooth a day ordained, Herod clothed with king's clothing, sat for doomsman, and spake to them.]

Acts 12:21 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 12:21

And upon a set day
Either on some feast day of divine appointment, as a feast day was by the Jews called (dewm) , "a stated day"; or on some day appointed by Herod, for the receiving of the ambassadors of Tyre and Sidon, and of hearing their petitions; or as Josephus F18 says, it was on the second day of the sports and plays, instituted by him in honour of Caesar:

Herod, arrayed in royal apparel;
the same Jewish historian in the same place says, that this his apparel was all of silver, and of a wonderful contexture; and that going in this very early in the morning into the theatre, the silver shone so with the rays of the rising sun, that it struck the spectators with terror and admiration:

sat upon his throne;
and very likely with the other ensigns of royalty, as a crown on his head, and a sceptre in his hand:

and made an oration unto them;
either unto the ambassadors from Tyre and Sidon, or rather unto the common people, the multitude that were gathered together in the theatre, where the above historian says he was.


FOOTNOTES:

F18 Antiqu. l. 19, c. 8. sect 2.

Acts 12:21 In-Context

19 And when Herod had sought him, and found not, after that he had made inquiring of the keepers, he commanded them to be brought to him. And he came down from Judaea into Caesarea, and dwelled there.
20 And he was wroth to men of Tyre and of Sidon [of Tyre and Sidon]. And they of one accord came to him, when they had counseled with Blastus, that was the king's chamberlain, they asked peace, for as much as their countries were victualed of him [for that their countries were nourished by him].
21 And in a day that was ordained, Herod was clothed with king's clothing, and sat for doomsman, and spake to them. [Forsooth a day ordained, Herod clothed with king's clothing, sat for doomsman, and spake to them.]
22 And the people cried, The voice of God, and not of man.
23 And at once [Soothly anon] an angel of the Lord smote him, for he had not given honour to God; and he was wasted of worms, and died.
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.