Acts 12:18-25

Fate of the Soldiers and of Herod. For the soldiers, cf. Acts 5:21 ff. Here they are led away to be put to death. The story of Herod's glorification and end is told by Josephus in a similar way; but our version is at some points defective. Herod's displeasure with Tyre dates from an earlier period; no disagreement with Sidon is reported. As king of Judæ a he had a hold on the two towns which depended on importation for their corn, and they might seek to work on him through Blastus, the Master of his Bedchamber; he was a good-natured man they could get round him.

Acts 12:21 b requires some such clause as is found in D, on his being reconciled to the Tyrians. His decision was evidently to be given at a splendid court ceremony. The scene is described by Josephus (Ant. XIX. viii. 2) who speaks of a robe made entirely of silver, which shone brilliantly in the morning sun and prompted the broad flattery, not unheard of in these days, that his voice was that of a god rather than of a man. His death was that of Antiochus (2Ma_9:3 ff.), Sulla, and other presumptuous characters of antiquity.

Acts 12:24 f. Return of Barnabas and Saul to Antioch.

Acts 12:24. A very vague and general statement; to what region does it refer?

Acts 12:25 continues Acts 11:30. The reading in mg. is quite inconsistent with the narrative.