Acts 12:21
And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.
Original Language Analysis
ἡμέρᾳ
day
G2250
ἡμέρᾳ
day
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
3 of 16
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐνδυσάμενος
arrayed
G1746
ἐνδυσάμενος
arrayed
Strong's:
G1746
Word #:
6 of 16
to invest with clothing (literally or figuratively)
βασιλικὴν
in royal
G937
βασιλικὴν
in royal
Strong's:
G937
Word #:
8 of 16
regal (in relation), i.e., (literally) belonging to (or befitting) the sovereign (as land, dress, or a courtier), or (figuratively) preeminent
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καθίσας
sat
G2523
καθίσας
sat
Strong's:
G2523
Word #:
10 of 16
to seat down, i.e., set (figuratively, appoint); intransitively, to sit (down); figuratively, to settle (hover, dwell)
ἐπὶ
upon
G1909
ἐπὶ
upon
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
11 of 16
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 #:
12 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
βήματος
throne
G968
βήματος
throne
Strong's:
G968
Word #:
13 of 16
a step, i.e., foot-breath; by implication, a rostrum, i.e., a tribunal
ἐδημηγόρει
made an oration
G1215
ἐδημηγόρει
made an oration
Strong's:
G1215
Word #:
14 of 16
to be a people-gatherer, i.e., to address a public assembly
Historical Context
They desired king (1 Samuel 8) represented rejecting God's direct rule. God gave Saul despite warning of kingship's costs. Saul's 40-year reign (approximate, some scholars suggest shorter) ended in failure. The irony—speaker named Saul/Paul (same Hebrew name) described original King Saul's failure. Around 48 CE, this reminded hearers that human leadership repeatedly disappoints, preparing for presentation of Jesus as perfect King.
Questions for Reflection
- What does demanding king reveal about human preference for visible leadership?
- How does God graciously provide even when motives are wrong?
- In what ways do human leaders inevitably disappoint?
- Why include failed king in gospel sermon?
- What does Saul's failure prepare hearers to understand about need for perfect King?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years. Israel's demand for king demonstrates human rejection of divine rule, yet God graciously provides while warning against idolizing human leadership.