But the word of God
The phrase "the word of God" refers to the message of the Gospel and the teachings of Jesus Christ as proclaimed by the apostles and early Christians. This message is rooted in the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah. The "word" is often seen as living and active, as described in Hebrews 4:12, and is central to the mission of the early church. It is the divine revelation that guides believers and is the foundation of Christian faith.

continued to spread
The spread of the word of God indicates the growth and expansion of the early Christian church despite opposition and persecution. This phrase highlights the unstoppable nature of the Gospel, as seen in Acts 1:8, where Jesus commissions His disciples to be His witnesses "to the ends of the earth." The spread is both geographical, moving from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, and beyond, and cultural, crossing barriers between Jews and Gentiles. This growth is often attributed to the work of the Holy Spirit, as seen in Acts 2 during Pentecost.

and multiply.
The multiplication of the word of God suggests not only an increase in the number of believers but also the deepening of their faith and understanding. This multiplication is reminiscent of the parable of the sower in Matthew 13, where the seed that falls on good soil yields a bountiful harvest. The early church's growth is marked by the establishment of new communities of faith, the appointment of leaders, and the development of doctrine. This multiplication is a testament to the power of the Gospel to transform lives and societies, fulfilling Jesus' promise in Matthew 16:18 that He will build His church.

1. The Word of God
Refers to the message of the Gospel and the teachings of Jesus Christ as spread by the apostles and early Christians.

2. The Early Church
The community of believers in the first century who were spreading the Gospel despite persecution.

3. Herod Agrippa I
The king who persecuted the church, leading to the events that preceded this verse, including the death of James and the imprisonment of Peter.

4. Jerusalem
The central location of the early church and the starting point for the spread of the Gospel.

5. The Apostles
The primary messengers of the Gospel, who were instrumental in the spread of Christianity during this time.The Power of God's Word
The word of God is living and active, capable of transforming lives and societies. Despite human opposition, it continues to spread and multiply.

Perseverance in Persecution
The early church faced significant persecution, yet the Gospel continued to grow. Believers today can take courage that God’s purposes will prevail even in difficult times.

The Role of the Church
The church is called to be a vessel for spreading the word of God. Each believer has a role in this mission, contributing to the multiplication of the Gospel.

Faith in God's Sovereignty
Trust in God’s sovereignty is essential. Despite Herod’s attempts to suppress the church, God’s plan was not thwarted. Believers can rest in the assurance that God is in control.

The Importance of Evangelism
The growth of the word of God in Acts challenges believers to actively participate in evangelism, sharing the Gospel with others to see it continue to spread and multiply.(24) But the word of God grew and multiplied.--The words describe a continuous expansion. The death of the chief persecutor left free scope for the activity of the preachers of the gospel, of which they were not slow to avail themselves.

Verse 24. - The word of God grew and multiplied in Jerusalem and the neighborhood, in spite of Agrippa's persecution. The blood of the martyr James was the seed of the Church, and the speedy vengeance taken by God upon the persecuter doubtless gave fresh courage to his people to confess the Name of Jesus Christ. As regards the preceding account of Herod Agrippa's death, it is corroborated in the most remarkable manner by the narrative in Josephus ('Ant. Jud.,' 19. 8:2). He there tells that when he had been three years King of all Judaea (see ver. 1, note) he went to Caesarea. And that on occasion of a festival celebrated "for the safety of Caesar" (some think to celebrate his return from Britain, while others, as Wieseler, think that they were the ordinary Quinquennalia, celebrated in the provinces), he exhibited games and spectacles in honor of Claudius. On the second day of these games, when a vast number of people were assembled in the theatre, Agrippa can? m, clothed in a garment wholly made of silver, which reflected the rays of the morning sun with a most dazzling and awful brilliancy. Whereupon his flatterers cried out that he was a god, and offered prayer to him. The king, he adds, did not rebuke them nor reject their impious flattery, he was presently seized with a violent pain in his bowels, which soon became so intense that he was carried out of the theatre to his palace, and expired after five days of excruciating pain. It is curious that in the above account Josephus says that Agrippa saw an owl sitting over his head, which he recognized as a messenger (ἄγγελον) of evil to him. Eusebius, quoting Josephus Eccl. Hist.,' 2. 10.), leaves out the owl, and says that Agrippa saw an angel sitting over his head, whom he recognized as the cause of his sufferings. Whiston, in a note, seeks to exonerate Eusebius from unfairness in the quotation by suggesting that the manuscript of Eusebius is in this place corrupt; but Bede quotes Josephus just as Eusebius does, unless perchance he is quoting him at second hand from Eusebius.

Parallel Commentaries ...


But
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

the
Ὁ (Ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

word
λόγος (logos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3056: From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.

of God
θεοῦ (theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

continued to spread
ηὔξανεν (ēuxanen)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 837: (a) I cause to increase, become greater (b) I increase, grow. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to grow, i.e. Enlarge.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

multiply.
ἐπληθύνετο (eplēthyneto)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4129: To increase, multiply. From another form of plethos; to increase.


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NT Apostles: Acts 12:24 But the word of God grew (Acts of the Apostles Ac)