Acts 12
King James Version (KJV)
Alternate with Word Pictures (AWPR)
My Comments in Green
My Comments in Green
1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched
forth his hands to vex certain of the church. (KJV)
1) Then down upon / at that one there
(appointed) time - season - opportunity,
Herod the king cast and threw upon the hands to do
some of those from the Church
(intentional) evil with injury.
(AWPR)
1) Then down upon / at that one there
(appointed) time - season - opportunity,
Herod the king cast and threw upon the hands to do
some of those from the Church
(intentional) evil with injury.
(AWPR)
2 And he killed James
the brother of John with the sword. (KJV)
2) Then he took James, the brother of John,
up and away to slay with an executioner's sword.
(AWPR)
2) Then he took James, the brother of John,
up and away to slay with an executioner's sword.
(AWPR)
3 And because he saw
it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the
days of unleavened bread.) (KJV)
3) And beholding and perceiving that it is
pleasant and pleasing with contentment to the Jews,
he set - placed - lay down up alongside
to take up - seize - and lead away Peter.
Were then (the) days of Unleavened (Bread).
(AWPR)
3) And beholding and perceiving that it is
pleasant and pleasing with contentment to the Jews,
he set - placed - lay down up alongside
to take up - seize - and lead away Peter.
Were then (the) days of Unleavened (Bread).
(AWPR)
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. (KJV)
4) [Peter] Whom also, taking by the hand to
press - squeeze - hold fast - arrest,
he [Herod] set - put - placed into guarded custody / prison,
giving of his own good will and accord
to the side of [Peter]
4 quaternians of / 16
army soldiers to watch and keep watch - to guard him,
willing and desiring / intending after the Passover
to bring up and lead him away again to the people.
(AWPR)
4) [Peter] Whom also, taking by the hand to
press - squeeze - hold fast - arrest,
he [Herod] set - put - placed into guarded custody / prison,
giving of his own good will and accord
to the side of [Peter]
4 quaternians of / 16
army soldiers to watch and keep watch - to guard him,
willing and desiring / intending after the Passover
to bring up and lead him away again to the people.
(AWPR)
5 Peter therefore was
kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for
him. (KJV)
5) Indeed, thereupon Peter was attentively guarded and kept
in the prison / guarded custody.
Then prayer (to GOD) was
stretched out - continual - fervent - earnest and intense,
being made under the Church up alongside with
GOD over / about / in behalf of him.
(AWPR)
5) Indeed, thereupon Peter was attentively guarded and kept
in the prison / guarded custody.
Then prayer (to GOD) was
stretched out - continual - fervent - earnest and intense,
being made under the Church up alongside with
GOD over / about / in behalf of him.
(AWPR)
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. (KJV)
6) Then when Herod was at the point of and about
to bring and lead him forth,
in that one (certain) night
Peter was outstretched - lying down sleeping
in the midst of - between 2 army soldiers ,
having been fastened and bound with 2 chains
[the right hand chained to one soldier, the left hand to the other]
and sentinels - guards - keepers before the door
were attentively watching - keeping - guarding
the guarded custody / prison.
(AWPR)
6) Then when Herod was at the point of and about
to bring and lead him forth,
in that one (certain) night
Peter was outstretched - lying down sleeping
in the midst of - between 2 army soldiers ,
having been fastened and bound with 2 chains
[the right hand chained to one soldier, the left hand to the other]
and sentinels - guards - keepers before the door
were attentively watching - keeping - guarding
the guarded custody / prison.
(AWPR)
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. (KJV)
7) And behold, look and see:
an angel of (the) LORD stood over (nearby)
as (though) set in place,
and a shining light shone forth in the dwelling - building.
Then striking
[without inflicting injury - gently tapping]
the side of Peter, he raised him up from sleep,
setting him upright,
laying down definite words, saying,
'Rise up in quickness - Rise up in hasty speed.'
And fell away and off from him the chains out of the hands.
(AWPR)
7) And behold, look and see:
an angel of (the) LORD stood over (nearby)
as (though) set in place,
and a shining light shone forth in the dwelling - building.
Then striking
[without inflicting injury - gently tapping]
the side of Peter, he raised him up from sleep,
setting him upright,
laying down definite words, saying,
'Rise up in quickness - Rise up in hasty speed.'
And fell away and off from him the chains out of the hands.
(AWPR)
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. (KJV)
8) And said the angel up alongside to him,
'Enwrap - gird yourself with cloth (and a belt),
and bind under / put on
the sandals of you.'
Then he did thus.
And laying down definite words, he says to him,
'Cast round about the garment - large cloth of you,
and follow and accompany together with me.'
(AWPR)
8) And said the angel up alongside to him,
'Enwrap - gird yourself with cloth (and a belt),
and bind under / put on
the sandals of you.'
Then he did thus.
And laying down definite words, he says to him,
'Cast round about the garment - large cloth of you,
and follow and accompany together with me.'
(AWPR)
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. (KJV)
9) And coming and going out,
he followed and accompanied together with him,
and certainly not knew or perceived that
(which was) happening - occurring through the angel
was truly real - was truly reality.
Then he thought - supposed - imagined (it was)
a supernatural spectacle / a vision that he was
able to see and discern (with the mind).
(AWPR)
9) And coming and going out,
he followed and accompanied together with him,
and certainly not knew or perceived that
(which was) happening - occurring through the angel
was truly real - was truly reality.
Then he thought - supposed - imagined (it was)
a supernatural spectacle / a vision that he was
able to see and discern (with the mind).
(AWPR)
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. (KJV)
10) Then going and passing through
First and Second Guard - First and Second Watch,
they came forth upon the (entrance) gate of iron,
that bearing and bringing (one) into the city,
whatsoever of itself / whichsoever automatically
was opened again to them.
And coming forth out they went further,
and continued forward along on a single drag-along,
[a one person wide back-alley or like constricted passageway]
and straightway - immediately - instantly
the angel dismissed away - let go and left / withdrew
[vanished]
from him.
(AWPR)
10) Then going and passing through
First and Second Guard - First and Second Watch,
they came forth upon the (entrance) gate of iron,
that bearing and bringing (one) into the city,
whatsoever of itself / whichsoever automatically
was opened again to them.
And coming forth out they went further,
and continued forward along on a single drag-along,
[a one person wide back-alley or like constricted passageway]
and straightway - immediately - instantly
the angel dismissed away - let go and left / withdrew
[vanished]
from him.
(AWPR)
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. (KJV)
11) And Peter, having come [to his senses],
within himself said,
'Now at this present time I know and perceive
truly and really that (the) LORD / that YHVeH
sent away forth out
[of that place where He is]
the angel of Him,
and took (for Himself) out / plucked
me out of Herod's hand,
and of all the looked and hoped for
anticipations and expectations
of the people of the Jews.'
(AWPR)
[Note: It must be remembered that Peter is also Hebrew, but of a northern tribe of Israel settled in Galilee, and that there was a long-standing rivalry within the Hebrew tribes stretching back over 1,000 years by this time, in which 10 tribes of the north in loyalty and custom divided with that of 3 tribes of the south, represented by the tribe of Judah in the province of Judea and called the Jews. Even Hebrews to this day confuse a like internal prejudice and name designation, equivalently recognized in our day as a distinction between the "Yankee" and the "Confederate", as something other than what it really was. In the modern day, Peter would simply be designated Jewish, even though his home territory was in Galilee and the northwest corner of the Sea of Galilee. He was in no way anti-Semitic, he was simply one who had no love for the leaders of a southern authority who were abusers of their religious authority to the point of great bias and corruption against the northern tribes, even in the First Century A.D. That is the historical context of the use of the word by the Apostles, as a geographical and plagued by a powerful cluster of corrupt members within it religio-political group designation. -- Brianroy]
11) And Peter, having come [to his senses],
within himself said,
'Now at this present time I know and perceive
truly and really that (the) LORD / that YHVeH
sent away forth out
[of that place where He is]
the angel of Him,
and took (for Himself) out / plucked
me out of Herod's hand,
and of all the looked and hoped for
anticipations and expectations
of the people of the Jews.'
(AWPR)
[Note: It must be remembered that Peter is also Hebrew, but of a northern tribe of Israel settled in Galilee, and that there was a long-standing rivalry within the Hebrew tribes stretching back over 1,000 years by this time, in which 10 tribes of the north in loyalty and custom divided with that of 3 tribes of the south, represented by the tribe of Judah in the province of Judea and called the Jews. Even Hebrews to this day confuse a like internal prejudice and name designation, equivalently recognized in our day as a distinction between the "Yankee" and the "Confederate", as something other than what it really was. In the modern day, Peter would simply be designated Jewish, even though his home territory was in Galilee and the northwest corner of the Sea of Galilee. He was in no way anti-Semitic, he was simply one who had no love for the leaders of a southern authority who were abusers of their religious authority to the point of great bias and corruption against the northern tribes, even in the First Century A.D. That is the historical context of the use of the word by the Apostles, as a geographical and plagued by a powerful cluster of corrupt members within it religio-political group designation. -- Brianroy]
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. (KJV)
12) And consciously being aware and considering,
he [Peter] came forth (so as to make a public appearance)
upon the house of Mary, the mother of John,
the (one) called upon as - surnamed Mark,
where were abundant / sufficient many
hoarded - gathered together
and praying (to GOD).
(AWPR)
12) And consciously being aware and considering,
he [Peter] came forth (so as to make a public appearance)
upon the house of Mary, the mother of John,
the (one) called upon as - surnamed Mark,
where were abundant / sufficient many
hoarded - gathered together
and praying (to GOD).
(AWPR)
13 And as Peter
knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. (KJV)
13) Peter then, knocking at the door
of the gate portal - [arched] gateway,
a young girl who was both a child and a bond-servant,
by name, Rhoda, came and drew near up alongside
to attentively listen under - beneath - through
[the door of the gate portal -gateway].
(AWPR)
[Note: The gate portal - (arched) gateway
is that of the city home's fortified wall,
sometimes several feet or more deep,
often with a draft space an inch or more off the ground
such as that listened through by Rhoda in the above verse,
the wall and gate being part of the private
and quite small property,
because it is within such a condensed and restricted city.
Again, this gate portal - (arched) gateway door rests in the
high wall that surrounds the small home and court
of the outer property, and usually opens directly onto
a primary pedestrian city passageway. -- Brianroy]
13) Peter then, knocking at the door
of the gate portal - [arched] gateway,
a young girl who was both a child and a bond-servant,
by name, Rhoda, came and drew near up alongside
to attentively listen under - beneath - through
[the door of the gate portal -gateway].
(AWPR)
[Note: The gate portal - (arched) gateway
is that of the city home's fortified wall,
sometimes several feet or more deep,
often with a draft space an inch or more off the ground
such as that listened through by Rhoda in the above verse,
the wall and gate being part of the private
and quite small property,
because it is within such a condensed and restricted city.
Again, this gate portal - (arched) gateway door rests in the
high wall that surrounds the small home and court
of the outer property, and usually opens directly onto
a primary pedestrian city passageway. -- Brianroy]
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. (KJV)
14) And knowing and perceiving upon / And recognizing
the voice of Peter,
from joy with elation and (excited) exultation
running (away) inside, she --
certainly did not open the gate portal - gateway [door] --
then announced - made known that Peter (was) standing
before the gate portal - gateway [door].
(AWPR)
14) And knowing and perceiving upon / And recognizing
the voice of Peter,
from joy with elation and (excited) exultation
running (away) inside, she --
certainly did not open the gate portal - gateway [door] --
then announced - made known that Peter (was) standing
before the gate portal - gateway [door].
(AWPR)
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. (KJV)
15) Then they up alongside with her said,
"You're raving mad / You're a maniac!"
Then she asserted herself strongly and vehemently
thus in this manner,
having - holding - possessing it.
[Note: the child slave, Rhoda, continued to vehemently affirm her announcement that Peter was at the gate, sticking to it without the slightest quarter knowing the punishment of being whipped or beat to a pulp if she was lying, and not giving the slightest quarter even though having been called a raving (and by implication 'lying') maniac. -- Brianroy]
[Hearing the knocking]
Then they laid down definite words saying,
'It is the messenger of him!'
(AWPR)
15) Then they up alongside with her said,
"You're raving mad / You're a maniac!"
Then she asserted herself strongly and vehemently
thus in this manner,
having - holding - possessing it.
[Note: the child slave, Rhoda, continued to vehemently affirm her announcement that Peter was at the gate, sticking to it without the slightest quarter knowing the punishment of being whipped or beat to a pulp if she was lying, and not giving the slightest quarter even though having been called a raving (and by implication 'lying') maniac. -- Brianroy]
[Hearing the knocking]
Then they laid down definite words saying,
'It is the messenger of him!'
(AWPR)
16 But Peter
continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were
astonished. (KJV)
16) Then Peter remained and stayed upon (his) knocking.
Then, having opened again [the gateway door],
they saw and perceived him,
and were (as though) standing out beside themselves
in amazement.
(AWPR)
16) Then Peter remained and stayed upon (his) knocking.
Then, having opened again [the gateway door],
they saw and perceived him,
and were (as though) standing out beside themselves
in amazement.
(AWPR)
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. (KJV)
17) Then with the hand
violently shaking down / signaling
to them to be silent,
he led and recounted (a full narration to the end)
in what manner or way the LORD / YHVeH
brought and led him out,
out from - out of the guarded custody / prison.
Then he said,
'Announce - Make known - Report to James
and the other brothers these things.'
And going forth out, he passed through
and went into another different place.
(AWPR)
17) Then with the hand
violently shaking down / signaling
to them to be silent,
he led and recounted (a full narration to the end)
in what manner or way the LORD / YHVeH
brought and led him out,
out from - out of the guarded custody / prison.
Then he said,
'Announce - Make known - Report to James
and the other brothers these things.'
And going forth out, he passed through
and went into another different place.
(AWPR)
18 Now as soon as it
was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter. (KJV)
18) Then (it) becoming day,
there was certainly not a small - little - brief
agitated and stirred up trouble - disturbance
(with fear - anger - doubt - perplexity)
in / among the army soldiers;
'What then - therefore became of Peter?!"
(AWPR)
18) Then (it) becoming day,
there was certainly not a small - little - brief
agitated and stirred up trouble - disturbance
(with fear - anger - doubt - perplexity)
in / among the army soldiers;
'What then - therefore became of Peter?!"
(AWPR)
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. (KJV)
19) Then Herod [arriving and ]
seeking upon - inquiring upon for him [Peter],
and not finding by search or inquiry;
judicially examining and judging
the keepers - guards - sentinels,
urged in motion / commanded
(that they) be led and/or carried away.
And coming down from Judea into Caesarea,
(he) wore or spent through / (he) stayed.
(AWPR)
19) Then Herod [arriving and ]
seeking upon - inquiring upon for him [Peter],
and not finding by search or inquiry;
judicially examining and judging
the keepers - guards - sentinels,
urged in motion / commanded
(that they) be led and/or carried away.
And coming down from Judea into Caesarea,
(he) wore or spent through / (he) stayed.
(AWPR)
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. (KJV)
20) Then was Herod in fighting wrath and indignation
with (the) Tyrians and Sidonians.
Then with one and the same mind - consent - accord,
they came to be near up alongside next to him;
and confiding in and persuading - convincing Blastus,
the (one) upon / over the marriage bedroom of the king,
they asked - begged (as inferiors to a superior)
peace through their nourishing - feeding
the region - province - territory of them
away and apart from the kingly apportionments -
away and apart from that specifically belonging to the king.
[That is, a feeding of all Judea away and apart from those Herod's direct houses, estates, personal servants and soldiers, his family, etc.]
(AWPR)
20) Then was Herod in fighting wrath and indignation
with (the) Tyrians and Sidonians.
Then with one and the same mind - consent - accord,
they came to be near up alongside next to him;
and confiding in and persuading - convincing Blastus,
the (one) upon / over the marriage bedroom of the king,
they asked - begged (as inferiors to a superior)
peace through their nourishing - feeding
the region - province - territory of them
away and apart from the kingly apportionments -
away and apart from that specifically belonging to the king.
[That is, a feeding of all Judea away and apart from those Herod's direct houses, estates, personal servants and soldiers, his family, etc.]
(AWPR)
21 And upon a set day
Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto
them. (KJV)
21) Then on a pre-arranged and set in order day,
Herod, immersing and going down under / putting on
a kingly garment, and sitting down upon the elevated
(by steps) Bema (seat) - judgment seat - judgment throne,
made a marketplace pitch / (sales) speech
to the people up alongside with them.
(AWPR)
21) Then on a pre-arranged and set in order day,
Herod, immersing and going down under / putting on
a kingly garment, and sitting down upon the elevated
(by steps) Bema (seat) - judgment seat - judgment throne,
made a marketplace pitch / (sales) speech
to the people up alongside with them.
(AWPR)
22 And the people
gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. (KJV)
22) Then the people bound together as a society
intensely shouted - intensely cried aloud (in acclamation),
'A voice of a god and certainly not of a man!!!'
(AWPR)
22) Then the people bound together as a society
intensely shouted - intensely cried aloud (in acclamation),
'A voice of a god and certainly not of a man!!!'
(AWPR)
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. (KJV)
23) Then, at that very moment - immediately - on the spot,
an angel of (the) LORD - an angel of YHVeH
smote and wounded him in exchange,
because he certainly did not of his own good will and accord
give the thoughtful recognition - the glory to GOD.
And becoming eaten by worms - maggot parasites,
he breathed out (and died).
(AWPR)
23) Then, at that very moment - immediately - on the spot,
an angel of (the) LORD - an angel of YHVeH
smote and wounded him in exchange,
because he certainly did not of his own good will and accord
give the thoughtful recognition - the glory to GOD.
And becoming eaten by worms - maggot parasites,
he breathed out (and died).
(AWPR)
24 But the word of
God grew and multiplied. (KJV)
24) Then the intelligent word of GOD
(naturally) grew and increased,
and was made full and multitudinous.
(AWPR)
24) Then the intelligent word of GOD
(naturally) grew and increased,
and was made full and multitudinous.
(AWPR)
25 And Barnabas and
Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took
with them John, whose surname was Mark. (KJV)
25) Then Barnabas and Saul turned under - returned
out of Jerusalem,
having made full - having fulfilled
the ministry - the ministration of service,
taking and receiving along to themselves also John,
(being) called upon as - surnamed Mark.
(AWPR)
Disclaimer: The Alternate Word Pictures with Reiterations (AWPR) translation, translation mine, should be used as a Bible Study Aid only, and it is recommended that a direct literal translation or the King James Bible be used for regular and ecclesiastical purposes, and that the AWPR be used in association only as a Bible study aid so as to help the reader / user in their Bible Studying to clarify context and Scriptural Intent, and to get the full context and understanding into the English from out of the ancient Greek in which this New Testament passage was first written. Thanks. -- Brianroy
On the death of Herod Agrippa:
Thus is the account left us by the Jewish historian Josephus, who wrote his work decades after that of the firsthand eyewitness accounts left us by Luke. -- Brianroy
We are all called to give thoughtful recognition and glory to the One True GOD, who made the heavens, the earth, the seas, and all that therein is. We are also called to recognize that Jesus Christ is the only means of salvation of mankind (John 14:6 and other passages), and there is none other before or after him, because He is YHVeH who in His pre-incarnate state blew into the nostrils of Adam and gave him his intelligent reason, and who spoke to Abraham and Moses faces to faces, and at the appointed time came and manifested through a virgin's womb as He said He would under the rigid and impossible odds conditions He placed upon Himself. To He - - Jesus Christ / Yeshua HaMesshiach -- who takes away the sins of the world for whosoever will believe and receive, may we together all sing "Hallelujah to the LORD." Amen.
25) Then Barnabas and Saul turned under - returned
out of Jerusalem,
having made full - having fulfilled
the ministry - the ministration of service,
taking and receiving along to themselves also John,
(being) called upon as - surnamed Mark.
(AWPR)
Disclaimer: The Alternate Word Pictures with Reiterations (AWPR) translation, translation mine, should be used as a Bible Study Aid only, and it is recommended that a direct literal translation or the King James Bible be used for regular and ecclesiastical purposes, and that the AWPR be used in association only as a Bible study aid so as to help the reader / user in their Bible Studying to clarify context and Scriptural Intent, and to get the full context and understanding into the English from out of the ancient Greek in which this New Testament passage was first written. Thanks. -- Brianroy
On the death of Herod Agrippa:
Josephus, Antiquites of the Jews, Book 19, Chapter
8, Section 2.
Whiston Translation
2. "Now when Agrippa had reigned three years over all
Judea, he came to the city Cesarea, which was formerly called Strato's Tower;
and there he exhibited shows in honor of Caesar, upon his being informed that
there was a certain festival celebrated to make vows for his safety. At which
festival a great multitude was gotten together of the principal persons, and
such as were of dignity through his province.
On the second day of which shows
he put on a garment made wholly of silver, and of a contexture truly wonderful,
and came into the theater early in the morning; at which time the silver of his
garment being illuminated by the fresh reflection of the sun's rays upon it,
shone out after a surprising manner, and was so resplendent as to spread a
horror over those that looked intently upon him; and presently his flatterers
cried out, one from one place, and another from another, (though not for his
good,) that he was a god; and they added, "Be thou merciful to us; for
although we have hitherto reverenced thee only as a man, yet shall we
henceforth own thee as superior to mortal nature."
Upon this the king did
neither rebuke them, nor reject their impious flattery. But as he presently
afterward looked up, he saw an owl sitting on a certain rope over his head, and
immediately understood that this bird was the messenger of ill tidings, as it
had once been the messenger of good tidings to him; and fell into the deepest
sorrow.
A severe pain also arose in his belly, and began in a most violent
manner. He therefore looked upon his friends, and said, "I, whom you call
a god, am commanded presently to depart this life; while Providence thus
reproves the lying words you just now said to me; and I, who was by you called
immortal, am immediately to be hurried away by death. But I am bound to accept
of what Providence allots, as it pleases God; for we have by no means lived
ill, but in a splendid and happy manner."
When he said this, his pain was
become violent. Accordingly he was carried into the palace, and the rumor went
abroad every where, that he would certainly die in a little time. But the
multitude presently sat in sackcloth, with their wives and children, after the
law of their country, and besought God for the king's recovery. All places were
also full of mourning and lamentation. Now the king rested in a high chamber,
and as he saw them below lying prostrate on the ground, he could not himself
forbear weeping.
And when he had been quite worn out by the pain in his belly
for five days, he departed this life, being in the fifty-fourth year of his
age, and in the seventh year of his reign; for he reigned four years under
Caius Caesar, three of them were over Philip's tetrarchy only, and on the
fourth he had that of Herod added to it; and he reigned, besides those, three
years under the reign of Claudius Caesar; in which time he reigned over the
forementioned countries, and also had Judea added to them, as well as Samaria
and Cesarea. The revenues that he received out of them were very great, no less
than twelve millions of drachme. Yet did
he borrow great sums from others; for he was so very liberal that his expenses
exceeded his incomes, and his generosity was boundless. "
Thus is the account left us by the Jewish historian Josephus, who wrote his work decades after that of the firsthand eyewitness accounts left us by Luke. -- Brianroy
We are all called to give thoughtful recognition and glory to the One True GOD, who made the heavens, the earth, the seas, and all that therein is. We are also called to recognize that Jesus Christ is the only means of salvation of mankind (John 14:6 and other passages), and there is none other before or after him, because He is YHVeH who in His pre-incarnate state blew into the nostrils of Adam and gave him his intelligent reason, and who spoke to Abraham and Moses faces to faces, and at the appointed time came and manifested through a virgin's womb as He said He would under the rigid and impossible odds conditions He placed upon Himself. To He - - Jesus Christ / Yeshua HaMesshiach -- who takes away the sins of the world for whosoever will believe and receive, may we together all sing "Hallelujah to the LORD." Amen.