Ruins of Herod's Palace
There were many Herods. If my history is correct, here is a brief summary of some of the Herods during the New Testament period leading up to our Herod in Acts 12.
Herod the Great is the one who ordered the extermination of all male children killed in Bethlehem, two years old and younger, in an attempt to do away with the Christ child. He was a crazy man at the end of his reign and attempted to kill everyone who looked at him funny for fear that they were trying to take his throne. He even killed most of his children to stay possible rebellion. Herod the Great died around 4 BC.
Herod Archelaus (also called Philip in Matthew 14:3) is the Herod who took the throne after Herod the Great died (when Joseph and Mary came back from Egypt) in Matthew 2:22. Archelaus married Herodias, who would later leave him for his brother, Herod Antipas.
Herod Antipas is the Herod who killed John the Baptist. Jesus called him “that fox” in Luke 13:31-32.
Herod Agrippa I (not to be confused with Herod Agrippa II in Acts 25-26) is our character in Acts 12. Now that God was multiplying His divine kingdom, Herod chose sides between the Jews and the Christian by killing the apostle James (Acts 12:2). Since this pleased the Jews, Herod captured Peter, perhaps because he seemed to be the “ring leader” of this Christian movement, and prepared to execute him, too.
The Holy Spirit contrasts two powers in Acts 12. On the one hand we see Herod the king fighting against the Lord’s kingdom. Herod believes he can do anything he wants. He has no care for God or any man. In fact, as the people of Tyre and Sidon chant, “The voice of a god and not a man” (Acts 12:22), Herod magnanimously accepts the adoration. He was willing to be considered a god in the eyes of the people. Do you remember what Peter did when Cornelius bowed before him? He said, “Stand up; I too am just a man” (Acts 10:26). But Herod was full of himself.
On the other hand we see the power of God. God is in control of this world, and He is a jealous God (Exodus 20:5). God is the ONLY one who deserves adoration and acknowledgment as Deity. And He has every right to glorify His own name and punish those who raise themselves up against Him. God struck Herod with worms. This is not a fun way to die, either. It hurts. Other historical sources say Herod was actually carried off the stage dying of these things…as if God didn’t waste any time! That certainly would fit with the events in Acts 12.
Hey, look – the god-man is suddenly dying. The one who has been attacking the Christians is in pain. The killer has now become God’s target.
“But the word of the Lord continued to grow and to be multiplied” (Acts 12:24). Men rise up, fall, and are forgotten (the picture above is of the ruins of Herod’s palace – nothing left of the splendor of man). Persecutions come to nothing after a while. But God’s word and God’s kingdom endure forever!
God bless,
Nathan
