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19 Herod, after instituting a search but not finding him, ordered the guards tried and executed. Then he left Judea to spend some time in Caesarea.

Herod’s Death. 20 [a]He had long been very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, who now came to him in a body. After winning over Blastus, the king’s chamberlain, they sued for peace because their country was supplied with food from the king’s territory. 21 On an appointed day, Herod, attired in royal robes, [and] seated on the rostrum, addressed them publicly.

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Footnotes

  1. 12:20–23 Josephus gives a similar account of Herod’s death that occurred in A.D. 44. Early Christian tradition considered the manner of it to be a divine punishment upon his evil life. See 2 Kgs 19:35 for the figure of the angel of the Lord in such a context.

19 After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him, he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be executed.(A)

Herod’s Death

Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea(B) and stayed there. 20 He had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon;(C) they now joined together and sought an audience with him. After securing the support of Blastus, a trusted personal servant of the king, they asked for peace, because they depended on the king’s country for their food supply.(D)

21 On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people.

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