Acts 12:20

Authorized King James Version

And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's country.

Word-by-Word Analysis

Ἦν

G2258

was

i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)

δὲ

G1161

And

but, and, etc

ὁ

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἡρώδης

G2264

Herod

heroic; herod, the name of four jewish kings

θυμομαχῶν

G2371

highly displeased

to be in a furious fight, i.e., (figuratively) to be exasperated

Τυρίοις

G5183

with them of Tyre

a tyrian, i.e., inhabitant of tyrus

καὶ

G2532

and

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

Σιδωνίοις·

G4606

Sidon

a sidonian, i.e., inhabitant of sidon

ὁμοθυμαδὸν

G3661

with one accord

unanimously

#10

δὲ

G1161

And

but, and, etc

#11

παρῆσαν

G3918

they came

to be near, i.e., at hand; neuter present participle (singular) time being, or (plural) property

#12

πρὸς

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

#13

αὐτῶν

G846

him

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

#14

καὶ

G2532

and

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

#15

πείσαντες

G3982

having made

to convince (by argument, true or false); by analogy, to pacify or conciliate (by other fair means); reflexively or passively, to assent (to evidence

#16

Βλάστον

G986

Blastus

blastus, an officer of herod agrippa

#17

τὸν

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#18

ἐπὶ

G1909

chamberlain

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

#19

τοῦ

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#20

κοιτῶνος

G2846

a bedroom

#21

τοῦ

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#22

βασιλέως

G935

the king's

a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively)

#23

ᾐτοῦντο

G154

desired

to ask (in genitive case)

#24

εἰρήνην

G1515

peace

peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity

#25

διὰ

G1223

because

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

#26

τὸ

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#27

τρέφεσθαι

G5142

was nourished

but perhaps strengthened from the base of g5157 through the idea of convolution); properly, to stiffen, i.e., fatten (by implication, to cherish (with

#28

αὐτῶν

G846

him

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

#29

τὴν

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#30

χώραν

G5561

country

room, i.e., a space of territory (more or less extensive; often including its inhabitants)

#31

ἀπὸ

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

#32

τῆς

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#33

βασιλικῆς

G937

the king's

regal (in relation), i.e., (literally) belonging to (or befitting) the sovereign (as land, dress, or a courtier), or (figuratively) preeminent

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing peace contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood peace. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
In what ways does understanding peace in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?

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