But
The conjunction "but" serves as a pivotal transition in the narrative, contrasting the preceding events with what follows. In the context of Acts 12, this word marks a shift from the persecution and challenges faced by the early church, including the martyrdom of James and the imprisonment of Peter, to a period of divine intervention and growth. It underscores the resilience of God's plan despite human opposition, reminding believers that God's purposes prevail even in adversity.

the word of God
This phrase refers to the message of the Gospel, the teachings of Jesus Christ, and the revelation of God's will as communicated through the apostles. In Greek, "logos" (word) signifies not just spoken words but the divine reason and creative order. The "word of God" is living and active, as described in Hebrews 4:12, and it carries the power to transform lives and societies. Historically, the spread of this word was facilitated by the apostles' missionary journeys and the early church's commitment to teaching and discipleship.

continued
The verb "continued" indicates ongoing action, suggesting that the spread of the Gospel was not a one-time event but a persistent and enduring process. This reflects the unstoppable nature of God's mission, which, despite persecution and trials, advances through the faithfulness of His followers. The Greek root "auxanō" implies growth and increase, emphasizing that the Gospel's influence was expanding continuously.

to spread
The phrase "to spread" conveys the idea of dissemination and outreach. The Greek term "diapherō" can mean to carry through or to differ, highlighting the distinctiveness and transformative power of the Gospel as it reaches new regions and peoples. This spreading was facilitated by the Holy Spirit's empowerment of the apostles and the early church's commitment to evangelism, as seen throughout the book of Acts.

and multiply
The word "multiply" suggests exponential growth, not just in numbers but in depth and impact. The Greek "plēthunō" implies an increase in abundance, reflecting the early church's rapid expansion as more individuals and communities embraced the faith. This multiplication is a testament to the effectiveness of the apostles' witness and the work of the Holy Spirit in convicting hearts and drawing people to Christ.

(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)