Acts 12:20
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.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θυμομαχῶν
highly displeased
G2371
θυμομαχῶν
highly displeased
Strong's:
G2371
Word #:
5 of 33
to be in a furious fight, i.e., (figuratively) to be exasperated
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 33
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
παρῆσαν
they came
G3918
παρῆσαν
they came
Strong's:
G3918
Word #:
11 of 33
to be near, i.e., at hand; neuter present participle (singular) time being, or (plural) property
πρὸς
to
G4314
πρὸς
to
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
12 of 33
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,
αὐτῶν
him
G846
αὐτῶν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 33
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
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 33
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πείσαντες
having made
G3982
πείσαντες
having made
Strong's:
G3982
Word #:
15 of 33
to convince (by argument, true or false); by analogy, to pacify or conciliate (by other fair means); reflexively or passively, to assent (to evidence
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐπὶ
chamberlain
G1909
ἐπὶ
chamberlain
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
18 of 33
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
βασιλέως
the king's
G935
βασιλέως
the king's
Strong's:
G935
Word #:
22 of 33
a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively)
εἰρήνην
peace
G1515
εἰρήνην
peace
Strong's:
G1515
Word #:
24 of 33
peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity
διὰ
because
G1223
διὰ
because
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
25 of 33
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
26 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τρέφεσθαι
was nourished
G5142
τρέφεσθαι
was nourished
Strong's:
G5142
Word #:
27 of 33
but perhaps strengthened from the base of g5157 through the idea of convolution); properly, to stiffen, i.e., fatten (by implication, to cherish (with
αὐτῶν
him
G846
αὐτῶν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
28 of 33
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
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
29 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χώραν
country
G5561
χώραν
country
Strong's:
G5561
Word #:
30 of 33
room, i.e., a space of territory (more or less extensive; often including its inhabitants)
ἀπὸ
by
G575
ἀπὸ
by
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
31 of 33
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
Cross References
Ezra 3:7They gave money also unto the masons, and to the carpenters; and meat, and drink, and oil, unto them of Zidon, and to them of Tyre, to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea of Joppa, according to the grant that they had of Cyrus king of Persia.Ezekiel 27:17Judah, and the land of Israel, they were thy merchants: they traded in thy market wheat of Minnith, and Pannag, and honey, and oil, and balm.Luke 16:8And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.
Historical Context
Four hundred and fifty years (approximate, depending on chronological systems) covered judges period (Judges-1 Samuel). Gave judges indicates God's merciful provision of deliverers when Israel repented. The cyclical pattern (sin, oppression, repentance, deliverance) demonstrated human unfaithfulness versus divine faithfulness. Until Samuel transitions toward monarchy. Paul's summary around 48 CE established pattern—God persistently pursues rebellious people, preparing gospel theme of grace to undeserving sinners.
Questions for Reflection
- What does cyclical rebellion teach about human nature?
- How does God's repeated deliverance demonstrate persistent grace?
- In what ways does judges period foreshadow need for permanent Savior?
- Why emphasize ancestors' failures in gospel presentation?
- What does 450 years of patience reveal about God's redemptive commitment?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet. The judges period, spanning 450 years, demonstrates God's repeated deliverance despite Israel's cyclical rebellion.