Acts 12:24
in Acts 12But the word of God continued to spread and multiply.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
But the word of God grew and multiplied.
KJV
But the word of God grew and multiplied.
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This verse in Acts 12
Commentary
6 notes on this verseBut the word of God grew and multiplied. The number of those who were converted by it, and embraced and professed it, increased; otherwise the word is the same, whether the professors of it be more or fewer; and this it did, notwithstanding the persecution raised against it by Herod whilst he was living; and after his death, it still gained more ground, met with less opposition, and was more freely professed.
This site's exposition
the word of God continued
But the word of God continued to spread and multiply, one of the summaries of growth that close each section of the book. The king who moved against the church is dead, and the word he tried to silence keeps advancing. The verse is Luke's summary of the whole chapter.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers1 voice
"And the word of God," it says, "grew," i.e. in consequence of this, "and multiplied." Do you mark God's providential management? A great refreshing granted to them, and the numberless benefits accruing from the vengeance inflicted upon him.
The Nineteenth Century3 voices
But the word of God - The Christian doctrine preached by the apostles grew and multiplied - became more evident, and had daily accessions; for the spirit of revelation rested on those men, and God was daily adding to that word as circumstances required, in order to complete that testimony of his which we now find contained in the New Testament.
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
But the word grew, &c.--that is, Not only was the royal representative ignominiously swept from the stage, while his intended victim was spared to the Church, but the cause which he and his Jewish instigators sought to crush was only furthered and glorified. How full of encouragement and consolation is all this to the Christian Church in every age!
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
But the word of God grew ... - Great success attended it. The persecutions had now ceased; and notwithstanding all the attempts which had been made to crush it, stir the church increased and flourished. The liberation of Peter and the death of Herod would contribute to extend it. It was a new evidence of divine interposition in behalf of the church; it would augment the zeal of Christians; it would. humble their enemies, and would fill those with fear who had attempted to oppose and crush the church of God.
The words behind it
8 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ὁ | ho | <the> | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| δὲ | de | But | G1161 → | 2765 times |
| λόγος | logos | the word | G3056 → | 329 times |
| τοῦ | tou | <the> | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| θεοῦ | theou | of God | G2316 → | 1312 times |
| ηὔξανεν | euxanen | was continuing to grow | G837 → | 23 times |
| καὶ | kai | and | G2532 → | 9120 times |
| ἐπληθύνετο. | eplethuneto | was being multiplied. | G4129 → | 12 times |
Ὁ<the>
hoG3588 →19766 times
δὲBut
deG1161 →2765 times
λόγοςthe word
logosG3056 →329 times
τοῦ<the>
touG3588 →19766 times
θεοῦof God
theouG2316 →1312 times
ηὔξανενwas continuing to grow
euxanenG837 →23 times
καὶand
kaiG2532 →9120 times
ἐπληθύνετο.was being multiplied.
eplethunetoG4129 →12 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Matthew 16:18And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.
it leads to
- Ephesians 2:19–22
Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household,
- 1 Corinthians 3:9–11
For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.
- Isaiah 28:16
So this is what the Lord GOD says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will never be shaken.
- Colossians 1:18
And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and firstborn from among the dead, so that in all things He may have preeminence.
- Psalms 125:1–2
Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion. It cannot be moved; it abides forever.
- Ephesians 2:19–22
Through
Acts 6:7So the word of God continued to spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem grew rapidly, and a great number of priests became obedient to the faith.
it leads to
- Acts 19:20
So the word of the Lord powerfully continued to spread and prevail.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Acts 19:20
Through
2 Thessalonians 3:1Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may spread quickly and be held in honor, just as it was with you.
it leads to
- 1 Thessalonians 5:25
Brothers, pray for us as well.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:25
Through
Acts 19:20So the word of the Lord powerfully continued to spread and prevail.
it leads to
- Acts 6:7
So the word of God continued to spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem grew rapidly, and a great number of priests became obedient to the faith.
- Acts 6:7
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies3
On this chapter
About Acts
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); J. A. Alexander, The Acts of the Apostles Explained; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Chrysostom, Homily on Acts 27; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748) and Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible.