The Meaning of Acts 12:23 Explained

Acts 12:23

KJV: 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.

YLT: and presently there smote him a messenger of the Lord, because he did not give the glory to God, and having been eaten of worms, he expired.

Darby: And immediately an angel of the Lord smote him, because he did not give the glory to God, and he expired, eaten of worms.

ASV: And immediately an angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does Acts 12:23 Mean?

Context Summary

Acts 12:13-25 - Beyond Their Faith
Mark's mother was evidently a woman of property, as her house was large enough to receive the many who felt that prayer was the key to open Peter's prison. Rhoda is Rose. Her portrait has charmed every generation. It is so lifelike and natural. How good for every servant-maid to love the devotional meeting, and to be welcomed to it! Christianity had introduced a new spirit into the world. How often our deliverances seem too good to be true! These praying friends of Peter would not believe the maid, though she told them that their prayers were answered. This proves that while their faith was very imperfect, their request was granted. When we believe not, God remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself, 2 Timothy 2:13. The James mentioned in Acts 12:17 was the brother of our Lord, and afterward head of the church in Jerusalem, Acts 15:13. See James 1:1.
What a contrast between Peter's deliverance and Herod's death! Be not afraid of the reproach of men, for "the moth shall eat them up like a garment," Isaiah 51:8. During these happenings Paul and Barnabas were in Jerusalem, and in after years their minds must often have reverted to them. Probably Paul's remembrance of this incident inspired his constant request for prayer in his own behalf, Ephesians 6:18-20.
For Review Questions, see the e-Sword Book Comments. [source]

Chapter Summary: Acts 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

Greek Commentary for Acts 12:23

Smote him [επαταχεν αυτον]
Effective aorist active indicative of πατασσω — patassō old verb, used already in Acts 12:7 of gentle smiting of the angel of the Lord, here of a severe stroke of affliction. Like Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:30) pride went before a fall. He was struck down in the very zenith of his glory. [source]
Because [αντ ων]
Αντι — Anti with the genitive of the relative pronoun, “in return for which things.” He accepted the impious flattery (Hackett) instead of giving God the glory. He was a nominal Jew. He was eaten of worms (γενομενος σκωληκοβρωτος — genomenos skōlēkobrōtos). Ingressive aorist middle participle, “becoming worm-eaten.” The compound verbal adjective (σκωληχ — skōlēx worm, βρωτος — brōtos eaten, from βιβρωσκω — bibrōskō) is a late word (II Macc. Acts 9:9) of the death of Antiochus Epiphanes, used also of a tree (Theophrastus), here only in the N.T. The word σκωληχ — skōlēx was used of intestinal worms and Herodotus (IV. 205) describes Pheretima, Queen of Cyrene, as having swarms of worms which ate her flesh while still alive. Josephus (Ant. XIX. 8, 2) says that Herod Agrippa lingered for five days and says that the rotting of his flesh produced worms, an item in harmony with the narrative in Luke. Josephus gives further details, one a superstitious sight of an owl sitting on one of the ropes of the awning of the theatre while the people flattered him, an omen of his death to him. Luke puts it simply that God smote him. Gave up the ghost Effective aorist active of εκπσυχω — ekpsuchō to breathe out, late verb, medical term in Hippocrates, in the N.T. only in Acts 5:5, Acts 5:10; Acts 12:23. Herod was carried out of the theatre a dying man and lingered only five days. [source]
He was eaten of worms [γενομενος σκωληκοβρωτος]
Ingressive aorist middle participle, “becoming worm-eaten.” The compound verbal adjective (σκωληχ — skōlēx worm, βρωτος — brōtos eaten, from βιβρωσκω — bibrōskō) is a late word (II Macc. Acts 9:9) of the death of Antiochus Epiphanes, used also of a tree (Theophrastus), here only in the N.T. The word σκωληχ — skōlēx was used of intestinal worms and Herodotus (IV. 205) describes Pheretima, Queen of Cyrene, as having swarms of worms which ate her flesh while still alive. Josephus (Ant. XIX. 8, 2) says that Herod Agrippa lingered for five days and says that the rotting of his flesh produced worms, an item in harmony with the narrative in Luke. Josephus gives further details, one a superstitious sight of an owl sitting on one of the ropes of the awning of the theatre while the people flattered him, an omen of his death to him. Luke puts it simply that God smote him. [source]
Gave up the ghost [εχεπσυχεν]
Effective aorist active of εκπσυχω — ekpsuchō to breathe out, late verb, medical term in Hippocrates, in the N.T. only in Acts 5:5, Acts 5:10; Acts 12:23. Herod was carried out of the theatre a dying man and lingered only five days. [source]
An angel of the Lord smote him []
An interesting parallel is furnished by the story of Alp Arslan, a Turkish prince of the eleventh century. “The Turkish prince bequeathed a dying admonition to the pride of kings. 'In my youth,' said Alp Arslan, ' I was advised by a sage to humble myself before God; to distrust my own strength; and never to despise the most contemptible foe. I have neglected these lessons, and my neglect has been deservedly punished. Yesterday, as from an eminence, I beheld the numbers, the discipline, and the spirit of my armies; the earth seemed to tremble under my feet, and I said in my heart, surely thou art the king of the world, the greatest and most invincible of warriors. These armies are no longer mine; and, in the confidence of my personal strength, I now fall by the hand of an assassin'” (Gibbon, “Decline and Fall”). [source]
Eaten of worms [σκωληκόβρωτος]
Only here in New Testament. Of Pheretima, queen of Cyrene, distinguished for her cruelties, Herodotus says: “Nor did Pheretima herself end her days happily. For on her return to Egypt from Libya, directly after taking vengeance on the people of Barca, she was overtaken by a most horrid death. Her body swarmed with worms, which ate her flesh while she was still alive” (iv., 205). The term, as applied to disease in the human body, does not occur in any of the medical writers extant. Theophrastus, however, uses it of a disease in plants. The word σκώληξ is used by medical writers of intestinal worms. Compare the account of the death of Antiochus Epiphanes, the great persecutor of the Jews. “So that the worms rose up out of the body of this wicked man, and whiles he lived in sorrow and pain, his flesh fell away, and the filthiness of his smell was noisome to all his army” (Acts href="/desk/?q=ac+5:5&sr=1">Acts 5:5. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 12:23

Acts 12:23 Because [αντ ων]
Αντι — Anti with the genitive of the relative pronoun, “in return for which things.” He accepted the impious flattery (Hackett) instead of giving God the glory. He was a nominal Jew. He was eaten of worms (γενομενος σκωληκοβρωτος — genomenos skōlēkobrōtos). Ingressive aorist middle participle, “becoming worm-eaten.” The compound verbal adjective (σκωληχ — skōlēx worm, βρωτος — brōtos eaten, from βιβρωσκω — bibrōskō) is a late word (II Macc. Acts 9:9) of the death of Antiochus Epiphanes, used also of a tree (Theophrastus), here only in the N.T. The word σκωληχ — skōlēx was used of intestinal worms and Herodotus (IV. 205) describes Pheretima, Queen of Cyrene, as having swarms of worms which ate her flesh while still alive. Josephus (Ant. XIX. 8, 2) says that Herod Agrippa lingered for five days and says that the rotting of his flesh produced worms, an item in harmony with the narrative in Luke. Josephus gives further details, one a superstitious sight of an owl sitting on one of the ropes of the awning of the theatre while the people flattered him, an omen of his death to him. Luke puts it simply that God smote him. Gave up the ghost Effective aorist active of εκπσυχω — ekpsuchō to breathe out, late verb, medical term in Hippocrates, in the N.T. only in Acts 5:5, Acts 5:10; Acts 12:23. Herod was carried out of the theatre a dying man and lingered only five days. [source]
Acts 12:23 Gave up the ghost [εχεπσυχεν]
Effective aorist active of εκπσυχω — ekpsuchō to breathe out, late verb, medical term in Hippocrates, in the N.T. only in Acts 5:5, Acts 5:10; Acts 12:23. Herod was carried out of the theatre a dying man and lingered only five days. [source]
Acts 5:5 Fell down [πεσων]
Second aorist active participle of πιπτω — piptō fell all of a sudden while listening. Gave up the ghost (εχεπσυχεν — exepsuxen). First aorist active indicative of εκπσυχω — ekpsuchō late verb in lxx and Hippocrates, to breathe out, to expire. In the N.T. only here, Acts 5:10; Acts 12:23. It is needless to blame Peter for the death of Ananias. He had brought the end upon himself. It was the judgment of God. Physically the nervous shock could have caused the collapse. [source]
Acts 5:5 Gave up the ghost [εχεπσυχεν]
First aorist active indicative of εκπσυχω — ekpsuchō late verb in lxx and Hippocrates, to breathe out, to expire. In the N.T. only here, Acts 5:10; Acts 12:23. It is needless to blame Peter for the death of Ananias. He had brought the end upon himself. It was the judgment of God. Physically the nervous shock could have caused the collapse. [source]
2 Thessalonians 2:10 For them that are perishing [τοις απολλυμενοις]
Dative case of personal interest. Note this very phrase in 2 Corinthians 2:15; 2 Corinthians 4:3. Present middle participle of αππολλυμι — appollumi to destroy, the dreadful process goes on. Because (αντ ον — anth' hon). In return for which things (αντι — anti and the genitive of the relative pronoun). Same idiom in Luke 1:20; Luke 12:3; Luke 19:44; Acts 12:23 and very common in the lxx. The love of the truth That is the gospel in contrast with lying and deceit. That they might be saved (εις το σωτηναι αυτους — eis to sōthēnai autous). First aorist passive infinitive of σωζω — sōzō with εις το — eis to again, epexegetic purpose of the truth if they had heeded it. [source]
2 Thessalonians 2:10 Because [αντ ον]
In return for which things Same idiom in Luke 1:20; Luke 12:3; Luke 19:44; Acts 12:23 and very common in the lxx. [source]
James 5:2 Are moth-eaten [σητόβρωτα γέγονεν]
Lit., have become moth-eaten. Only here in New Testament, but compare σκωληκόβρωτος , eaten of worms, Acts 12:23; and see Matthew 6:19, Matthew 6:20. [source]
Revelation 11:6 To smite [πατάξαι]
Used by John only in Revelation, here and Revelation 19:15. Compare Matthew 26:31; Mark 14:27; Luke 22:49, Luke 22:50; Acts 12:7, Acts 12:23. [source]
Revelation 11:13 Gave glory to the God of heaven []
The phrase signifies not conversion, nor repentance, nor thanksgiving, but recognition, which is its usual sense in scripture. Compare Joshua 7:19(Sept.). John 9:24; Acts 12:23; Romans 4:20. [source]
Revelation 11:13 Fell [επεσεν]
Second aorist active indicative of πιπτω — piptō to fall. Only the tenth First aorist passive indicative of αποκτεινω — apokteinō as in Revelation 9:18.Seven thousand persons This use of ονοματα — onomata (names of men here) is like that in Revelation 3:4; Acts 1:15 and occurs in the papyri (Deissmann, Bible Studies, p. 196f.).Were affrighted (εμποβοι εγενοντο — emphoboi egenonto). “Became terrified,” old adjective (εν ποβος — enεδωκαν δοχαν — phobos fear) as in Luke 24:5; Acts 10:4; Acts 24:5. “A general movement toward Christianity, induced by fear or despair - a prediction fulfilled more than once in ecclesiastical history” (Swete).Gave glory First aorist active indicative of didōmi when they saw the effect of the earthquake, recognition of God‘s power (John 9:24; Acts 12:23; Romans 4:20). [source]
Revelation 11:13 Gave glory [διδωμι]
First aorist active indicative of didōmi when they saw the effect of the earthquake, recognition of God‘s power (John 9:24; Acts 12:23; Romans 4:20). [source]
Revelation 11:13 Seven thousand persons [ονοματα αντρωπων χιλιαδες επτα]
This use of ονοματα — onomata (names of men here) is like that in Revelation 3:4; Acts 1:15 and occurs in the papyri (Deissmann, Bible Studies, p. 196f.).Were affrighted (εμποβοι εγενοντο — emphoboi egenonto). “Became terrified,” old adjective (εν ποβος — enεδωκαν δοχαν — phobos fear) as in Luke 24:5; Acts 10:4; Acts 24:5. “A general movement toward Christianity, induced by fear or despair - a prediction fulfilled more than once in ecclesiastical history” (Swete).Gave glory First aorist active indicative of didōmi when they saw the effect of the earthquake, recognition of God‘s power (John 9:24; Acts 12:23; Romans 4:20). [source]

What do the individual words in Acts 12:23 mean?

Immediately then struck him an angel of [the] Lord in return for that not he gave the glory - to God and having been eaten by worms he breathed his last
Παραχρῆμα δὲ ἐπάταξεν αὐτὸν ἄγγελος Κυρίου ἀνθ’ ὧν οὐκ ἔδωκεν τὴν δόξαν τῷ Θεῷ καὶ γενόμενος σκωληκόβρωτος ἐξέψυξεν

Παραχρῆμα  Immediately 
Parse: Adverb
Root: παραχρῆμα  
Sense: immediately, forthwith, instantly.
ἐπάταξεν  struck 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: πατάσσω  
Sense: to strike gently: as a part or a member of the body.
ἄγγελος  an  angel 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἄγγελος  
Sense: a messenger, envoy, one who is sent, an angel, a messenger from God.
Κυρίου  of  [the]  Lord 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: κύριος  
Sense: he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, lord.
ἀνθ’  in  return 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ἀντί  
Sense: over against, opposite to, before.
ὧν  for  that 
Parse: Personal / Relative Pronoun, Genitive Neuter Plural
Root: ὅς 
Sense: who, which, what, that.
ἔδωκεν  he  gave 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: διδῶ 
Sense: to give.
δόξαν  glory 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: δόξα  
Sense: opinion, judgment, view.
τῷ  - 
Parse: Article, Dative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Θεῷ  to  God 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: θεός  
Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.
γενόμενος  having  been 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Middle, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: γίνομαι  
Sense: to become, i.
σκωληκόβρωτος  eaten  by  worms 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: σκωληκόβρωτος  
Sense: eaten of worms.
ἐξέψυξεν  he  breathed  his  last 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἐκψύχω  
Sense: to expire, to breathe out one’s life.