Matthew 2:1–23 The Wise Men Came to Worship the LORD

[Study Aired March 3, 2025]

Introduction

Today’s study focuses on the wise men’s enquiry after Christ and the Lord leading them to Jesus to worship and give Him gifts. It also touches on our Lord Jesus’ flight into Egypt to avoid being murdered according to the instruction of Herod. Thirdly, the study deals with the barbarous murder of infants of Bethlehem and its surroundings. Lastly, the coming out of Egypt to settle in Nazareth. 

The Enquiry After Jesus by the Wise Men

Mat 2:1  Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
Mat 2:2  Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 

In order to understand the significance of Jesus being born in Bethlehem, we need to understand what Bethlehem symbolizes. Bethlehem being the birthplace of our Lord Jesus Christ means that it represents the church of the first born or the New Jerusalem where Christ is formed in us. It is where David fed his father’s sheep and therefore is the place where our Father’s sheep are fed by the Lord. This is consistent with the meaning of the name of Bethlehem which means house of bread. In other words, it is in the assembly of the Lord’s elect that every joint supplies the word of the Lord (bread) which is needed for the growth of the body. 

1Sa 17:15  But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. 

In Luke 2:11, Bethlehem is also called the city of David because it was his ancestral home. It was in Bethlehem that Samuel anointed David as king. Although David was anointed a king, he did not immediately ascend the throne of Saul. What this means is that it is in the assembly of the Lord’s elect that we are anointed to become rulers in a time to come. 

Luk 2:11  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 

1Sa 16:1  And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons. 

1Sa 16:13  Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.  

It is also insightful to note that it is in Bethlehem that Rachel, the favorite wife of Jacob was buried. Bethlehem therefore represents a place of mourning for the Lord’s elect as we go through the Lord’s judgment. The two witnesses in the Book of Revelation wearing sackcloth attest to the mourning that we go through in this life as a result of the Lord’s judgment. 

Gen 35:19  And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem. 

Rev 11:3  And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. 

It is in Bethlehem that David longed for a drink of water from a well of Bethlehem which was a Philistine garrison at the time. It took three of David’s mighty men to break through the Philistine lines to draw a drink of water. This shows us that it is in the assembly of the Lord’s elect that we are judged (the three mighty men) of our flesh in order to be able to break through this wall of flesh (Philistines) to access the word of the Lord. David’s statement after pouring the water out to the Lord that it is the blood of the men who went in jeopardy of their lives implies that it is in the assembly of the Lord’s elect (Bethlehem) that we are given the power to give up our lives (our flesh) in pursuit of the truth of the word of the Lord.  

2Sa 23:14  And David was then in an hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.
2Sa 23:15  And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate! 
2Sa 23:16  And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the LORD.
2Sa 23:17  And he said, Be it far from me, O LORD, that I should do this: is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives? therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mighty men.  

Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem was prophesized by Micah as follows:

Mic 5:2  But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.  

As He is, so are we. It is in the assembly of the Lord’s elect (Bethlehem) that we are made rulers through the birth of Christ in us. Jesus being born in Bethlehem in verse 1 is therefore to let us know that it is in the church of the New Jerusalem that Christ is formed in us to become rulers of the kingdoms of this world at the appropriate time.  

The birth of Christ happened at the time of the rule of King Herod as indicated in verse 1. The Herodian dynasty made its way into Palestine through Antipater, an Edomite and therefore a descendant of Esau. He was installed as a care-taker of Judea by Julius Caesar, the emperor of Rome. He appointed two of his sons to ruling positions and one of them was “Herod the Great” who was appointed governor of Judea. He was a ruthless fighter and a subtle diplomat. The Romans appreciated the way he subdued opposition and maintained order among the Jewish people. At times, Herod implemented his policies with force and cruelty. His increasing fear of Jewish revolt led to suppression of any opposition. He murdered his wife, Mariamne and his two sons with her, for fear of being murdered. Herod therefore signifies the devil and his cohorts who seek to destroy the birth and growth of Christ within us.

The birth of Christ at the time of King Herod was therefore a period of peace in Judea, which was the right condition for the birth and ministry of Jesus. This is to let us know that for Christ to grow within His elect, our hearts and minds must be at peace. That is why the word of the Lord enjoins us to be at peace, as it is impossible to see God without it. The Lord has assured us of availing His peace to us so that we shall see Him. 

Heb 12:14  Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

Joh 14:27  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.  

In verses 1 and 2, we are introduced to the wise men from a far country, east of Jerusalem, who came to worship the King of the Jews. The Jews here refers to the Lord’s elect and not physical Jews. It is in our hearts and mind as the Lord’s elect that Jesus Christ sits as king in His throne to drag us to Himself.

Rom 2:28  For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
Rom 2:29  But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.  

The wise men here represent the Lord’s elect who are seeking to worship the Lord. Coming from the east means the wise men signify those in whom the Lord (sun) is rising or growing within them. The coming of the wise men to Jerusalem with the mission of coming to worship the King of the Jews tells us that as the Lord’s elect, we first come to Jerusalem which is in bondage of her children (Babylon) unsuspectingly, to seek the Lord. In other words, we must first come to Babylon, before we leave to enter Jerusalem which is above to worship the Lord in truth and in spirit.

Gen 41:33  Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt.

Deu 1:13  Take you wise men, and understanding, and known among your tribes, and I will make them rulers over you.   

Exo 36:2  And Moses called Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whose heart the LORD had put wisdom, even every one whose heart stirred him up to come unto the work to do it:  

Rev 18:4  And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

It is worth mentioning that the wise men were led by the Lord’s star which appeared in the east. The star in this case signifies the Lord Jesus Christ as He is the morning star, who leads us in the way we should go, just as He led the people of Israel in the wilderness. 

Psa 32:8  I will instruct thee and guide thee in this way wherein thou shalt go: I will fix mine eyes upon thee. (Brenton) 

2Pe 1:19  We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star (Christ) arise in your hearts:

The star also represents the Lord’s elect as through what every joint supplies, we guide each other to Christ. In the fullness of time, we shall guide the whole of the human race to Christ.

Dan 12:3  And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. 

Mat 2:3  When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 
Mat 2:4  And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. 
Mat 2:5  And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 
Mat 2:6  And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. 

As indicated, Herod represents the devil and wanted to destroy Jesus as the man child of the woman who is Jerusalem in bondage with her children. We, the Lord’s elect, also represent the manchild.

Rev 12:1  And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:
Rev 12:2  And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. 
Rev 12:3  And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
Rev 12:4  And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
Rev 12:5  And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. 

The chief priests and scribes who were gathered together by Herod to enquire about where the Lord Jesus would be born symbolize the leaders of the physical churches of this world or Babylon who play to the gallery of the prince of the air or the god of this world, who is the devil (Herod). It is this god of this world who has blinded the minds of these leaders in Babylon such that they cannot see the light of the glorious gospel of Christ. 

2Co 4:3  But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
2Co 4:4  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 

Herod being troubled together with all Jerusalem means that the devil is in bed with Babylon or the physical churches of this world. As Jesus said, our brothers and sisters in Babylon search the scriptures thinking they have eternal life but it does not profit them because they focus on the letter of the word, which kills, and not on the spirit of the word which gives life. Predicting accurately that Jesus was to be born in Bethlehem did not help them. This is because the letter kills and does not give life.  

Joh 5:38  And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.
Joh 5:39  Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 
Joh 5:40  And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
Joh 5:41  I receive not honour from men.
Joh 5:42  But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. 

2Co 3:6  Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. 

Mat 2:7  Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 
Mat 2:8  And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. 

As indicated, Herod representing the devil wants to destroy Christ in us. He therefore appears as an angel of light to the wise men by saying that they should search diligently for Christ so that he also would come and worship Him. That is why we are admonished to test the spirit if it is of the Lord because many false apostles representing the devil have appeared parading as angels of light.

1Jn 4:1  Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 

2Co 11:13  For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
2Co 11:14  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 
2Co 11:15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. 

Mat 2:9  When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 
Mat 2:10  When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 

It is important to note that when the wise men left Jerusalem, immediately, the star guiding them appeared. As the Lord’s elect represented by the wise men, we groped in darkness during our sojourn in the physical churches of this world or Babylon signified by Jerusalem. This is because the day star, our Lord Jesus Christ is not within us or His temple to guide us to Himself. It is only after we have left Babylon to become part of the church of the first born or the New Jerusalem that Christ comes to drag us to Himself. That is the time that we rejoice in the Lord, like the wise men, for the guidance of the Lord. 

Deu 31:8  And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed. 

2Pe 1:19  We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star (Christ) arise in your hearts: 

Mat 2:11  And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. 

The wise men in their seeking, were finally able to find Jesus. The word of the Lord has assured us as His elect (wise men) that if we seek after Christ, we shall find. We must knock and the door will be opened and we must ask and it shall be given to us. 

Mat 7:7  Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 
Mat 7:8  For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 
Mat 7:9  Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
Mat 7:10  Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
Mat 7:11  If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

As shown in verse 11, the wise men came to find not a baby but a young child Jesus. This indicates that some time had elapsed since Jesus was born. It took some time for the wise men to travel from the east to come to Jerusalem and then to Bethlehem. As shown in verse 11, Jesus was living in a house when the wise men came and not a manger as Christmas stories tend to indicate. This is to let us know that seeking to know the Lord takes time. There are no short cuts to knowing Christ. It is a life-time business. This is what it entails to know Christ or to find Him:

Php 3:10  That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Php 3:11  If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 

Knowing Him involves coming to know the power of His resurrection, the fellowship of His sufferings and being made conformable unto His death. We must come to know the power that is available on our behalf that causes us to become alive from our spiritually dead state. This power is made available to us through the Holy Spirit.

Exo 9:16  And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.

Act 1:8  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 

The fellowship of His suffering relates to the judgment of our flesh. It is through the suffering marked out for us that we learn righteousness. 

It is instructive to note that when the wise men came to the house, they saw Jesus and His mother Mary. This implies that coming to know Christ entails knowing the church of the first born or the New Jerusalem signified by Mary. As the Lord’s elect (wise men), our journey throughout this life is to come and worship the Lord with all the treasures that the Lord has given to us. 

1Co 4:7  For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? 

These treasures entail gold, frankincense and myrrh, which the Lord has given to us to help us to worship Him in truth and in spirit. The gold of our treasures indicates being given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God. The frankincense and the myrrh are forms of incense, and they represent the prayers of the saints. 

Son 3:6  Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?

Our prayers are therefore a form of worship, and it is like a sweet-smelling gift to God. 

Rev 8:3  And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 
Rev 8:4  And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand.   

Mat 2:12  And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. 

Here we are shown how the Lord warned the wise men in a dream that they should not return to Herod. As we come to worship the Lord through our prayers and our understanding of the mysteries of the kingdom, the Lord will make us aware of the devil’s devices to entrap us. This is what Paul has to say about this:

2Co 2:10  To whom ye forgive anything, I forgive also: for if I forgave anything, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; 
2Co 2:11  Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. 

The wise men departing into their own country another way is to be warned that we should not go back to our vomit.

2Pe 2:20  For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 
2Pe 2:21  For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 
2Pe 2:22  But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.    

The Flight to Egypt

Mat 2:13  And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. 
Mat 2:14  When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: 
Mat 2:15  And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. 

Although Bethlehem was the place for the birth of Christ, the departure of the wise men herald the killing of children of two years old and under because of Herod’s threat. Bethlehem in this negative context represents Babylon. It is in Babylon that the Lord’s elect (the wise men) are departing to join the New Jerusalem, and it is where they are spiritually killing the babes in Christ under the direction of the devil. 

The birth of Christ within us attracts persecution instigated by the devil (Herod) through the church, just as the Lord’s disciples were persecuted by the church in their day. As we are aware, Egypt represents the world or the cities of the world. Jesus and his parents fleeing to Egypt under the advice in a dream means that when we are persecuted, we must go from one city to another of this world. The Lord does not take us out of this world when we are being persecuted, rather, He hides us here in this world.  

Mat 10:23  But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. 

At the right time, the Lord will send us His word of what to do next. In the case of our Lord Jesus Christ, it was the death of Herod that heralded His coming back to Israel. When the Lord has dealt with those who persecute us, the Lord will send us a word as to what to do next. The Lord leaving Egypt fulfills the prophesy of the Lord calling His son from Egypt. As Egypt represent the world, the statement “out of Egypt have I called my son” means that it is out of this world (Egypt) that God called out His son Jesus after going through suffering here on earth to become our High Priest. In a similar vein, it is through suffering that we shall be perfected to be called out of this world (Egypt) to become saviors of the world, like Jesus.

Heb 5:9  And being made perfect (Here in this world or Egypt), he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; 
Heb 5:10  Called (out of this world) of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec. 

Oba 1:21  And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD’S.  

The children in Bethlehem are being Slaughtered.

Mat 2:16  Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
Mat 2:17  Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, 
Mat 2:18  In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not. 

The killing of the children in Bethlehem under the instigation of Herod signifies the putting to death of the babes in Christ in the physical churches of this world or Babylon as indicated earlier. It is instructive to note that it is those who are two years or younger who were the target of the killing. The number two signify a witness. It is those who are called and chosen before the foundation of the world and are still babies in Christ as they find themselves in Babylon who are being killed. However, in the fullness of time, the Lord will call us out of Babylon to attain maturity in Him. Those under two years old represent those who are called but are not chosen, who are babies in Christ. These symbolize our brothers and sisters in Babylon.

The question is, what are they using to kill the babies? They are all being slaughtered by the sword which represents the false doctrines spewed as flood by the devil (Herod) and swallowed by the babies in Christ (two years old and younger). This is clearly portrayed to us in the Book of Revelation as follows:

Rev 12:15  And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. 
Rev 12:16  And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.

The earth represents the babies in Christ. In verses 17 and 18, we are informed that Jeremiah prophesied concerning this killing of children at Rama. When Nebuchadnezzar invaded Judah, he detained the Jewish captives, including Jeremiah, at Ramah. The captives who were too old or weak to make the trip to Babylon were slaughtered there. This was the primary fulfillment of the prophesy which pertains to a voice being heard in Ramah of lamentation and bitter weeping representing Rachel weeping for her children. Matthew, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, also applied this scripture of Rachel weeping in Ramah to Herod’s slaughter of children after the birth of Christ. We can see how the Holy Spirit helped Matthew to rightly divide the word of truth. For those who have not read Mike’s article on “Rightly Dividing the Word, Using a Principle only the Apostles Understood”,  please do so. It is in the essential reading of the website, www.iswasandwillbe.com. 

Jer 40:1  The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, after that Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had let him go from Ramah, when he had taken him being bound in chains among all that were carried away captive of Jerusalem and Judah, which were carried away captive unto Babylon.    

Jer 31:15  Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not.
Jer 31:16  Thus saith the LORD; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the LORD; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy. 

Rachel was the beloved wife of Jacob who gave birth to Joseph and Benjamin, who represent the Lord’s elect. Therefore, what we are being told is that the church of the first born or the New Jerusalem (Rachel) weeps for all of the Lord’s elect who are unsuspectingly caught up with the lies of Babylon and are being put to death. However, we are admonished by the Lord not to weep for these children. This is because they shall surely become part of the church of the New Jerusalem in the fullness of time.   

Gen 35:24  The sons of Rachel; Joseph, and Benjamin:

The Return to Nazareth

Mat 2:19  But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 
Mat 2:20  Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life. 
Mat 2:21  And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. 
Mat 2:22  But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: 
Mat 2:23  And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.  

The death of Herod does not means that the devil is dead, since we use Herod to symbolize the devil. It rather means that there is a time that the Lord restrains the devil from attacking us. This period is a time of peace and it is during this time of peace that the Lord called Jesus and His parents to come back to Israel. On his way back, Joseph learned that Archelaus, the son of Herod, reigns in Judea and therefore became afraid. Again, the Lord came to him to show him where to go – Galilee.

The Lord’s command for Joseph and his family to proceed to the land of Israel and the subsequent obedience of Joseph caused the Lord to further direct him when he became afraid of Archelaus. As we obey the Lord, we are given to know more of the direction the Lord is taking us. 

Joseph finally settled the family in Nazareth and therefore fulfilled the prophesy that Jesus shall be a Nazarene. Just as the Lord was being led in his growth to fulfill what the Lord has said about Him, we are also being led at every moment of our lives to bring us to an expected end. 

Jer 29:11  For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Jer 29:12  Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 
Jer 29:13  And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. 

May the Lord lead us one day at a time as we seek to know Him. Amen!!

Acts 12:1-25 The Lord Hath Sent His Angel to Deliver Me

[Study Aired April 16, 2023]

Act 12:1  Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.
Act 12:2  And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
Act 12:3  And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)
Act 12:4  And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.
Act 12:5  Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
Act 12:6  And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.
Act 12:7  And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.
Act 12:8  And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.
Act 12:9  And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.
Act 12:10  When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.
Act 12:11  And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.
Act 12:12  And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.
Act 12:13  And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.
Act 12:14  And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.
Act 12:15  And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.
Act 12:16  But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.
Act 12:17  But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.
Act 12:18  Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.
Act 12:19  And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there abode.
Act 12:20  And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king’s chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king’s country.
Act 12:21  And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.
Act 12:22  And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.
Act 12:23  And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.

Once again, the order of events is important. Herod was “eaten of worms [first] and [then he] gave up the ghost”.

Act 12:24  But the word of God grew and multiplied.
Act 12:25  And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.

Verse 25 is connected to everything that occurred in this chapter. Everything we just read happened when and while Barnabas and Saul of Tarsus took the relief from the church in Antioch up to the apostles and the leaders of the church at Jerusalem.

The timing of the events of this chapter becomes very clear by placing the last verses of chapter 11 together with the last verse of this chapter:

Act 11:27  And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.
Act 11:28  And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.
Act 11:29  Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:
Act 11:30  Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

This is the first verse of chapter 12:

Act 12:1  Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.
Act 12:2  And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
Act 12:3  And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)

The phrase “about that time” refers back to the last verses of chapter 11 which we just quoted telling us that the church in Antioch had determined to help the poor saints in Jerusalem and that they had sent their relief “by the hands of Barnabas and Saul”. Then, because the holy spirit wants to make the timing of all these events very clear this is the last verses of this 12^th chapter concerning the martyrdom of James, the imprisonment and deliverance of Peter, and the death of Herod:

Act 12:23  And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him [Herod], because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.
Act 12:24  But the word of God grew and multiplied.
Act 12:25  And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.

The last verses of chapter 11 and the last verse of chapter 12 both tell us that this trip back to Jerusalem is the end of the fourteen years Paul speaks of in Galatians 2:1, and these two verses tell us that all these events of this twelfth chapter occurred while Barnabas and Saul were right there in Jerusalem. Herod killed James, the brother of John, and intending to kill Peter, he had him apprehended and imprisoned. The night before Peter was to appear before Herod, the Lord miraculously delivered him from prison. The prison guards were interrogated and put to death because they could not account for Peter’s disappearance. Shortly after this, Herod gave an oration that was so powerful that the people called him a god and not a man. When that happened the Lord smote Herod to death, and he was eaten of worms, and then and only then:

Act 12:25  And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.

Verse 25 is the last verse of this 12^th chapter. This is the second time Paul went up to Jerusalem after his conversion in Damascus.

Therefore, when Paul says in Galatians:

Gal 2:1  Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.
Gal 2:2  And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.
Gal 2:3  But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:
Gal 2:4  And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
Gal 2:5  To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
Gal 2:6  But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man’s person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:
Gal 2:7  But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;
Gal 2:8  (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)

“He that wrought effectually in Peter” and in Saul was the “one Lord Jesus Christ” (1Co 8:6).

Gal 2:9  And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
Gal 2:10  Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.

That “fourteen years” began from the time Saul of Tarsus left Jerusalem to return to Tarsus, and it ended when he went up to Jerusalem again for the first time in fourteen years with Barnabas and Titus, both of whom he had been ministering in Antioch.

The fact that Paul here in Galatians tells these Galatians:

Gal 2:2  And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.
Gal 2:3  But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:
Gal 2:4  And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:

“That gospel which I preach among the Gentiles” does not necessitate that Paul had already begun his first missionary journey because there were without doubt some Gentiles there in Antioch, even though the church was mostly Grecian Jews. Titus, a Gentile, went up with Barnabas and Saul ahead of Barnabas and Saul before they had even begun their first missionary journey.

The point Paul is making is that Paul had been told by the Lord from the time Ananias had come to give him back his sight, that the Lord was going to send him to the Gentiles:

Act 9:10  And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
Act 9:11  And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
Act 9:12  And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
Act 9:13  Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
Act 9:14  And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
Act 9:15  But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
Act 9:16  For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.

The point Paul is making in both cases is that His doctrine is not of men, but his gospel came directly from Christ Himself.

Paul reiterates this very important point in:

2Co 12:4  How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

The Greek word translated as “unspeakable” in Second Corinthians 12:4 is:

G731
ἄῤῥητος
arrhētos
ar’-hray-tos
From G1 (as a negative particle) and the same as G4490; unsaid, that is, (by implication) inexpressible: – unspeakable.
Total KJV occurrences: 1

This word appears just one time in the New Testament. ‘Unspeakable’ is not the proper English translation of this Greek word ‘arrhetos’. It is the combination of the negative particle and the Greek word:

G4490
ῥητῶς
rhētōs
hray-toce’
Adverb from a derivative of G4483; out spokenly, that is, distinctly: – expressly.
Total KJV occurrences: 1

This word also appears just one time in:

1Ti 4:1  Now the Spirit speaketh expressly [G4490: ‘rhetos’, distinctly], that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

2 Corinthians 12: 4 would obviously be better translated as:

2Co 12:4  How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard… words [which had never before been distinctly expressed], which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

Act 10:28  And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

Which is just another way of saying:

Joh 16:12  I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
Joh 16:13  Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will [distinctly express and ] guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come [which are “not (yet) lawful for a man to utter”].

Peter’s vision at the house of Simon the tanner, resulted in Peter being the first apostle to take the gospel to the house of the Gentile Cornelius. That, too, was “unlawful for a man to utter” before that time. Peter’s vision in Joppa, and him being told to go into the home of the Gentile centurion, Cornelius, all took place while Saul of Tarsus was preaching in the synagogues of Damascus. Saul of Tarsus may or may not have heard of Peter being sent to the house of the Gentile, Italian centurion, but if he did hear of that event then it would have simply served to confirm the words of Ananias concerning what the Lord had told Saul about “bearing [the Lord’s] name before the Gentiles, and kings and the children of Israel”. Saul of Tarsus was the only apostle who had been called into the Lord’s service outside of the nation of Israel… “as… he came near Damascus [Syria]”. He is the only apostle, besides John in the Book of Revelation, to give us the timeline of events which brings us to the consummation of the eons and God being “all in all”. These are just some of the things which, under the law of Moses, were “unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter” (2Co 12:4).

Here in 2 Corinthians 12 is the only other time Paul mentions ‘fourteen years.’ In this case Paul says “above fourteen years ago”:

2Co 12:1  It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2Co 12:2  I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven [the very mind of Christ].
2Co 12:3  And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
2Co 12:4  How that he was caught up into paradise [the very mind of Christ], and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
2Co 12:5  Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.
2Co 12:6  For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.
2Co 12:7  And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
2Co 12:8  For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
2Co 12:9  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2Co 12:10  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Notice that this was “above 14 years ago,” and this is in 2 Corinthians which was written after Paul’s second missionary journey in which the church at Corinth was founded. When Paul said he went up to Jerusalem “after fourteen years” in Galatians 2, he was referring to the first time he had returned to Jerusalem after having fled for his life when he had returned to Jerusalem after fleeing for his life from Damascus where he had been converted and from whence he had gone into Arabia for a season before returning to Damascus, where he spent three years from his conversion preaching in the synagogues of Damascus.

When Paul did return to Jerusalem, even after preaching the gospel for three years to the Jews in Damascus, the Jewish Christian apostles and disciples were so afraid of him that they would not fellowship with him until Barnabas, who somehow knew about Saul’s conversion and the fact that he had been teaching in the synagogues of Damascus for three years, brought Saul to Peter, with whom Saul spent a mere three weeks before he had to flee Jerusalem for his life. The only other apostle Saul met while he was in Jerusalem during his three weeks with Peter was “James the Lord’s brother”. The point being that he had neither time nor opportunity to glean any new doctrines from Peter or James in those three weeks which were spent speaking to and being rejected of the Grecian Jews there in Jerusalem. Nevertheless, Saul had been instructed by Christ Himself that he was to take the gospel to the Gentiles. It was Christ Himself who had shown Paul that all men would be saved through Christ just as all men had been born into a dying body of clay via their father “the first man Adam” (1Co 15:45):

1Co 15:22  For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

1Co 15:45  And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

It was the Lord Himself, and not any of the other apostles, who revealed to Paul that this universal salvation would come to mankind via a three-step method through which death itself would be destroyed:

1Co 15:23  But every man in his own order: [1] Christ the firstfruits; afterward [2] they that are Christ’s at his coming.
1Co 15:24  Then cometh [3] the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
1Co 15:25  For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
1Co 15:26  The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

“The end” is not a reference to the false doctrine of eternal torment, nor does it refer to the slightly less offensive false doctrine of annihilation in the lake of fire. “Then cometh the end” refers to the final harvest of the souls of mankind “at the end of the year”:

Exo 23:14  Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year. [Typifying the three harvests of the souls of “all in Adam” (1Co 15:22)]
Exo 23:15  Thou shalt keep [1] the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty) [With the accompanying offering of the Passover Lamb, typifying Christ as the first of the firstfruits]:
Exo 23:16  And the feast of harvest, [2] the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field [typify: and [3] the feast of ingathering],  which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field.

Now we come to the events of this 12^th chapter of Acts, which will serve to humble Paul and remind him that he must “be persuaded of” the older apostles even if they are not yet aware of the full extent and impact of the revelations given to Saul of Tarsus.

Heb 13:17 Be persuaded by your leaders, and be deferring to them, for they are vigilant for the sake of your souls, as having to render an account, that they may be doing this with joy, and not with groaning, for this is disadvantageous for you.

The reference to “after fourteen years” and “above fourteen years” ago, places all these revelations given Saul of Tarsus, either during the three years at Damascus, during which he spent time in the wilderness of Arabia, or during the ten to thirteen years he spent at Tarsus before the “full year” spent with Barnabas preaching in Antioch. It was at this time that Barnabas and Saul went up to Jerusalem again, to witness the death of the apostle “James the brother of John”, the imprisonment and miraculous deliverance of Peter, and the miraculous death of Herod:

Act 12:1  Now about that time [the time Barnabas and Saul went up from Antioch to Jerusalem] Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.
Act 12:2  And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
Act 12:3  And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)
Act 12:4  And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter [G3957: ‘pascha’, Passover] to bring him forth to the people.

The Greek word ‘pascha’ is an obvious reference to the Jewish feast of the Passover. ‘Easter’ is a ridiculous translation which the King James translators chose in an attempt to simply erase any Jewishness from the early church. ‘Easter’ is an abominable translation of the Greek word ‘pascha’.

Act 12:5  Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

Like us, the church prayed for Peter’s release, but could not believe that the Lord had actually done so, as we will see.

Act 12:6  And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.
Act 12:7  And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.

There is not one word about how all this affected the “four quaternions of soldiers” or the “two soldiers… between [whom] Peter was sleeping”. It is immaterial to what the Lord is doing for His elect.

Act 12:8  And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.
Act 12:9  And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.
Act 12:10  When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.

That gate had about as much ‘free will’ as you and I have. That gate “opened to them of His own accord”, meaning of Christ’s own accord.

Act 12:11  And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.

The same was true for Christ, even though He died upon the cross, because death was also defeated at the cross, and Christ was the first person ever to  be raised from the dead and given a spiritual body which is “like the wind”:

Joh 3:7  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
Joh 3:8  The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit [In “the redemption of the purchased possession” sense (Eph 1:14).

Heb 5:7  Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; [Christ feared God more than men]

Act 12:12  And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.
Act 12:13  And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda [Greek: rose].
Act 12:14  And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.
Act 12:15  And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.

We simply cannot help ourselves. We are all locked into this physical realm and cannot believe it when the Lord performs a miracle, even when we are petitioning Him for a miracle.

Act 12:16  But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.
Act 12:17  But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren [Including Barnabas and Saul]. And he departed, and went into another place.

This is not what happened when Peter had earlier been imprisoned with the other apostles at the hands of the Sanhedrin. At that time, they were all told to return to the temple and speak to the people the words of the gospel of Christ:

Act 5:19  But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,
Act 5:20  Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.
Act 5:21  And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.
Act 5:22  But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told,
Act 5:23  Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.
Act 5:24  Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.
Act 5:25  Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.

That is not what the spirit told Peter to do this time. Instead Peter, after showing himself to all those who had been praying for him in the home of “Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark… departed and went into another place”.

Act 12:18  Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.

These soldiers knew they were as good as dead if Peter did not show up.

Act 12:19  And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there abode.

The holy spirit had either put all sixteen soldiers in a deep sleep or a trance while Peter was taken from among them. Herod held them accountable, and the Lord will have Herod to give an accounting of His lack of mercy on these sixteen soldiers whom the holy spirit sacrificed for Peter’s sake. This is just how precious we are to the Lord as His elect:

Isa 43:2  When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
Isa 43:3  For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.
Isa 43:4 Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.

Act 12:20  And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king’s chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king’s country.
Act 12:21  And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.
Act 12:22  And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.
Act 12:23  And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.
Act 12:24  But the word of God grew and multiplied.

Herod died in Caesarea, but it appears to have happened before Barnabas and Saul left Jerusalem to return to Antioch.

The Lord gave the life of Herod for the sake of His elect, and Barnabas and Saul of Tarsus, who had never yet made their first missionary journey, were witnesses of all these things while they were there in Jerusalem to deliver the relief to the apostles for the poor Jewish saints who were suffering from the prophesied drought:

Act 12:25  And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.

This is ‘John’ the son of ‘Mary’ to whose house Peter had gone when he was taken out of prison by the angel. Mary was apparently a sibling of Barnabas because we are told this in:

Col 4:10  Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister’s son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him)

This is the same ‘John whose surname was Mark’ who will accompany Barnabas and Saul through a part of their first missionary journey as we will learn in our next study:

Act 13:13  Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.

It is on this first missionary journey that without explanation we are told in the verses preceding this 13^th verse:

Act 13:9  Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,
Act 13:10  And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
Act 13:11  And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.
Act 13:12  Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.

That will all be covered in our next study. What we should glean from this study is that Saul of Tarsus, whose name is changed to Paul the apostle, was taught by Christ and that he was made aware of many new doctrines while he was in Damascus and in the wilderness of Arabia, and while he was in Tarsus, before Barnabas came to take him with him to Antioch. It was during that period of his life, “above fourteen years ago”, before he went to Antioch with Barnabas, that Saul was shown by Christ things which had never been precisely expressed and which were unlawful to speak, according to the law of Moses. It should also be obvious from this study that both Paul and Barnabas witnessed the miraculous events of this 12^th chapter and thereby were made aware of the respect the honor which the Lord had placed upon the apostles who preceded Paul and Barnabas. Seeing how the Lord worked with Peter and the other apostles, prepared Barnabas and Saul to be persuaded of their leaders and to defer to them in the matter of the Gentiles not needing to be circumcised while the Jews were for a time continuing with being under the law of Moses as we will see in chapter 15.