Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” New Living Translation The people gave him a great ovation, shouting, “It’s the voice of a god, not of a man!” English Standard Version And the people were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!” Berean Standard Bible And they began to shout, “This is the voice of a god, not a man!” Berean Literal Bible And the people were crying out, "This is the voice of a god and not of a man!" King James Bible And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. New King James Version And the people kept shouting, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” New American Standard Bible The people repeatedly cried out, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” NASB 1995 The people kept crying out, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” NASB 1977 And the people kept crying out, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” Legacy Standard Bible And the assembly kept crying out, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” Amplified Bible The assembled people kept shouting, “It is the voice of a god and not of a man!” Christian Standard Bible The assembled people began to shout, “It’s the voice of a god and not of a man! ” Holman Christian Standard Bible The assembled people began to shout, “It’s the voice of a god and not of a man!” American Standard Version And the people shouted, saying, The voice of a god, and not of a man. Contemporary English Version The people shouted, "You speak more like a god than a man!" English Revised Version And the people shouted, saying, The voice of a god, and not of a man. GOD'S WORD® Translation The people started shouting, "The voice of a god and not of a man!" Good News Translation "It isn't a man speaking, but a god!" they shouted. International Standard Version The people kept shouting, "This is the voice of a god, not of a man!" NET Bible But the crowd began to shout, "The voice of a god, and not of a man!" New Heart English Bible But the crowd shouted,"The voice of a god, and not of a man." Webster's Bible Translation And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. Weymouth New Testament and the assembled people kept shouting, "It is the voice of a god, and not of a man!" Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAnd they began to shout, “This is the voice of a god, not a man!” World English Bible The people shouted, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand the populace were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!” Berean Literal Bible And the people were crying out, "This is the voice of a god and not of a man!" Young's Literal Translation and the populace were shouting, 'The voice of a god, and not of a man;' Smith's Literal Translation And the people called aloud, The voice of God, and not of man. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the people made acclamation, saying: It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. Catholic Public Domain Version Then the people were crying out, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!” New American Bible The assembled crowd cried out, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” New Revised Standard Version The people kept shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a mortal!” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd all the people shouted, saying, This sounds like the voice of God speaking and not that of a man. Aramaic Bible in Plain English All the people were crying out and saying, “These are the sayings of God and not of men.” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentAnd the people shouted: It is the voice of God, and not of man. Godbey New Testament and the people shouted, It is the voice of God and not of man. Haweis New Testament And the populace shouted, It is the voice of a god, and not a man. Mace New Testament at which the people gave a shout, saying, it is the voice of a God, and not of a man. Weymouth New Testament and the assembled people kept shouting, "It is the voice of a god, and not of a man!" Worrell New Testament And the people were shouting, "It is the voice of a god, and not of a man!" Worsley New Testament And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man: Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Death of Herod…21On the appointed day, Herod donned his royal robes, sat on his throne, and addressed the people. 22And they began to shout, “This is the voice of a god, not a man!” 23Immediately, because Herod did not give glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.… Cross References Ezekiel 28:2 “Son of man, tell the ruler of Tyre that this is what the Lord GOD says: Your heart is proud, and you have said, ‘I am a god; I sit in the seat of gods in the heart of the sea.’ Yet you are a man and not a god, though you have regarded your heart as that of a god. Daniel 4:30-32 the king exclaimed, “Is this not Babylon the Great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?” / While the words were still in the king’s mouth, a voice came from heaven: “It is decreed to you, King Nebuchadnezzar, that the kingdom has departed from you. / You will be driven away from mankind to live with the beasts of the field, and you will feed on grass like an ox. And seven times will pass you by, until you acknowledge that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom He wishes.” Isaiah 14:13-14 You said in your heart: “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God. I will sit on the mount of assembly, in the far reaches of the north. / I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” 2 Thessalonians 2:4 He will oppose and exalt himself above every so-called god or object of worship. So he will seat himself in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. Revelation 13:4 They worshiped the dragon who had given authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can wage war against it?” Revelation 19:20 But the beast was captured along with the false prophet, who on its behalf had performed signs deceiving those who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. Both the beast and the false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. Isaiah 36:18-20 Do not let Hezekiah mislead you when he says, ‘The LORD will deliver us.’ Has the god of any nation ever delivered his land from the hand of the king of Assyria? / Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim? Have they delivered Samaria from my hand? / Who among all the gods of these lands has delivered his land from my hand? How then can the LORD deliver Jerusalem from my hand?” Daniel 5:20-23 But when his heart became arrogant and his spirit was hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne, and his glory was taken from him. / He was driven away from mankind, and his mind was like that of a beast. He lived with the wild donkeys and ate grass like an ox, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven until he acknowledged that the Most High God rules over the kingdom of mankind, setting over it whom He wishes. / But you his son, O Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, even though you knew all this. ... 2 Kings 19:22 Whom have you taunted and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One of Israel! Isaiah 37:23 Whom have you taunted and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One of Israel! John 10:33 “We are not stoning You for any good work,” said the Jews, “but for blasphemy, because You, who are a man, make Yourself out to be God.” John 5:18 Because of this, the Jews tried all the harder to kill Him. Not only was He breaking the Sabbath, but He was even calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God. Matthew 24:24 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive even the elect, if that were possible. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder, / and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them. Revelation 13:11-12 Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. This beast had two horns like a lamb, but spoke like a dragon. / And this beast exercised all the authority of the first beast and caused the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose mortal wound had been healed. Treasury of Scripture And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. Acts 14:10-13 Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked… Psalm 12:2 They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak. Daniel 6:7 All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellers, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. Jump to Previous Assembled Cried Cries Crying God's Kept Loud Man Populace Shout Shouted Shouting VoiceJump to Next Assembled Cried Cries Crying God's Kept Loud Man Populace Shout Shouted Shouting VoiceActs 12 1. King Herod persecutes the Christians, kills James, and imprisons Peter; 6. whom an angel delivers upon the prayers of the church. 20. Herod in his pride taking to himself the honor due to God, 23. is stricken by an angel, and dies miserably. 24. After his death, the word of God prospers. 25. Saul and Barnabas return to Antioch. And they began to shout This phrase indicates a collective response from the crowd, suggesting a unified and enthusiastic reaction. In the context of Acts 12, Herod Agrippa I had just delivered a public address, likely during a festival or public gathering. The crowd's reaction can be seen as a reflection of the political and social dynamics of the time, where rulers often sought to elevate their status through public displays and speeches. The use of "shout" implies a loud and possibly frenzied acclamation, which was common in ancient settings where public oratory was a form of entertainment and political engagement. “This is the voice of a god, not a man!” Persons / Places / Events 1. Herod Agrippa IThe king of Judea, known for his persecution of the early church. He is the central figure in this passage, receiving the adulation of the people. 2. The People of Tyre and Sidon These were the people who shouted the phrase in Acts 12:22. They were seeking to appease Herod due to their dependence on his territory for food. 3. Caesarea The location where this event took place. It was a significant city in Judea, serving as a political and administrative center. 4. The Event of Herod's Speech Herod delivered a public address, and the people responded with flattery, declaring him to have the voice of a god. 5. The Angel of the Lord Following this event, an angel of the Lord struck Herod down because he did not give glory to God, leading to his death. Teaching Points The Danger of PridePride can lead to a downfall, as seen in Herod's account. Believers are called to humility, recognizing that all glory belongs to God. The Sin of Idolatry The people's declaration of Herod as a god serves as a warning against idolatry. We must be vigilant in ensuring that we do not elevate anyone or anything above God. God's Sovereignty and Justice God's swift judgment on Herod reminds us of His sovereignty and justice. We are encouraged to live in a way that honors God, acknowledging His rightful place in our lives. The Importance of Giving Glory to God Herod's failure to give glory to God resulted in his demise. As believers, we should always seek to glorify God in our words and actions. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Acts 12:22?2. How does Acts 12:22 warn against idolizing human leaders in our lives today? 3. What can we learn from Acts 12:22 about the dangers of pride? 4. How does Acts 12:22 connect to the First Commandment in Exodus 20:3? 5. How should Acts 12:22 influence our response to praise and recognition? 6. What practical steps can prevent us from seeking glory that belongs to God? 7. Why did the people proclaim Herod's voice as that of a god in Acts 12:22? 8. How does Acts 12:22 reflect the dangers of pride and idolatry? 9. What historical evidence supports the events described in Acts 12:22? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Acts 12? 11. How do I serve God? 12. What does the Bible say about angels? 13. Could Luke's account in Acts 12 contain embellishments or legendary elements regarding Herod Agrippa's death (Acts 12:21-23)? 14. Why does Acts record different versions of Paul's conversion story? What Does Acts 12:22 Mean And they began to shoutThe scene opens with the crowd in Caesarea responding to King Herod Agrippa I’s public address. Their unified cry didn’t arise from sober reflection but from a surge of emotion and political expediency. • Crowds are famously fickle: one moment honoring Jesus with palm branches, the next shouting “Crucify Him!” (John 12:13; 19:15). • Public opinion can be manipulated by fear or favor. The people of Tyre and Sidon depended on Herod for food supplies (Acts 12:20), so praising him served their interests. • Scripture repeatedly warns about “listening to the voice of the people” instead of the voice of God (1 Samuel 15:24; Mark 15:11-15). This is the voice They fixate on Herod’s eloquence, treating polished speech as proof of divinity. • Proverbs 29:5 cautions, “A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet”. Herod steps right into that net. • The apostle Paul later reminds believers that faith should “rest not on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power” (1 Corinthians 2:4-5). • 2 Timothy 4:3 warns of a time when people “will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires”; this crowd gladly receives what flatters their ears. Of a god The declaration crosses a clear biblical line: attributing deity to anyone but the LORD. • The first commandment forbids “You shall have no other gods before Me” (Exodus 20:3). • When Paul and Barnabas were called “gods” in Lystra, they tore their clothes and cried, “We too are only men, human like you” (Acts 14:15). Their rejection of worship contrasts sharply with Herod’s silent acceptance. • In Revelation 19:10, even angelic glory is refused worship: “Worship God!”. If an angel rejects worship, how much more should a mortal king. Not a man! By denying Herod’s humanity, the crowd elevates him above accountability and paves the way for his downfall. • Isaiah 42:8 reminds us, “I will not give My glory to another”. God protects His honor. • Nebuchadnezzar’s pride brought him low until he acknowledged “the Most High rules the kingdom of men” (Daniel 4:32). Herod repeats that folly and meets a similar judgment in Acts 12:23, where “an angel of the Lord struck him down… and he was eaten by worms and died”. • James 4:6 states, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble”. Herod chose pride; opposition followed. summary Acts 12:22 records a moment when a dependent, impression-minded crowd hails Herod’s speech as divine. Their flattery exposes their idolatry, and Herod’s silent consent exposes his pride. Scripture presents this as a sober warning: glory belongs solely to God, and any human who accepts worship invites His immediate opposition. The very next verse proves the point—God acts decisively, underscoring the timeless truth that He will not share His glory with another. Verse 22. - Shouted for gave a shout, A.V.; the voice for it is the voice, A.V.Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Andδὲ (de) Conjunction Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc. [they] δῆμος (dēmos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 1218: From deo; the public. began to shout, ἐπεφώνει (epephōnei) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 2019: To call out, shout, clamor at. From epi and phoneo; to call at something, i.e. Exclaim. “[This is the] voice φωνὴ (phōnē) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 5456: Probably akin to phaino through the idea of disclosure; a tone; by implication, an address, saying or language. of a god, Θεοῦ (Theou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. not οὐκ (ouk) Adverb Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not. a man!” ἀνθρώπου (anthrōpou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular Strong's 444: A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being. Links Acts 12:22 NIVActs 12:22 NLT Acts 12:22 ESV Acts 12:22 NASB Acts 12:22 KJV Acts 12:22 BibleApps.com Acts 12:22 Biblia Paralela Acts 12:22 Chinese Bible Acts 12:22 French Bible Acts 12:22 Catholic Bible NT Apostles: Acts 12:22 The people shouted The voice (Acts of the Apostles Ac) |
    |