Matthew Henry Commentary Acts 12:20-25

"Now he was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: and they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king`s chamberlain their friend, they asked for peace, because their country was fed from the king`s country. And upon a set day Herod arrayed himself in royal apparel, and sat on the throne, and made an oration unto them. And the people shouted, [saying], The voice of a god, and not of a man. 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. But the word of God grew and multiplied. And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministration, taking with them John whose surname was Mark." — Acts 12:20-25 (ASV)

Many pagan princes claimed and received divine honors, but it was far more horrible impiety in Herod, who knew the word and worship of the living God, to accept such idolatrous honors without rebuking the blasphemy. And men like Herod, when puffed with pride and vanity, are rapidly ripening for notable vengeance.

God is very jealous for His own honor, and His glory will be made manifest upon those by whom He is not glorified. See what vile bodies we carry about with us; they have in them the seeds of their own dissolution, by which they will soon be destroyed whenever God merely speaks the word. We may learn wisdom from the people of Tyre and Sidon, for we have offended the Lord with our sins.

We depend on Him for life, breath, and all things; it surely then is fitting for us to humble ourselves before Him, so that through the appointed Mediator, who is always ready to befriend us, we may be reconciled to Him, lest wrath come upon us to the utmost.