Why did the angel strike Herod down in Acts 12?
Acts 12:20 - 25
ESV - 20 Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they came to him with one accord, and having persuaded Blastus, the king's chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king's country for food. 21 On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them.
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Asked April 16 2018
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Mokhoro Montsi
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Tim Maas
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As noted in the passage cited in the question, the representatives of the regions of Tyre and Sidon were seeking to flatter Herod due to the dependence of their countries on Herod's domain for food. As part of this effort, when Herod delivered an oration to them, they proclaimed that he was a god. Herod was then struck down by an angel due to his prideful acceptance of this praise, which usurped authority and honor that belonged only to God. (This was in addition to all the other sins that Herod had committed, such as having the apostle James the Greater (the brother of John) executed, and imprisoning Peter as part of Herod's persecution of Christians (Acts 12:1-19).) (In the Old Testament, God had also punished Moses (although not as severely) for attributing to himself power and authority that belonged only to God (Numbers 20:1-13) by denying him entry into the Promised Land. This illustrates God's characterization of Himself as a jealous God (Exodus 20:4-6), who will not tolerate sharing with any person or object (such as an idol) the glory and honor that are due to Him alone.)
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