This passage concludes the story of the re-start of persecution, begun by the Herod (12:1). Yet it also provides a connection to Paul and Barnabas's mission to Jerusalem from the church in Antioch -- a mission started before Herod begins his atrocities (11:27-30). The overlap of the two stories is interesting. It seems to me that this conclusion has interesting implications.

First, notice the structure of the end of Acts 12. It has (a) the story of Herod's death (vv. 20-23); (b) the fulfillment of the Word of God (v. 24); and (c) Paul and Barnabas's return from their mission (v. 25). We'll come back to the significance of this structure later.

Vv. 20-23: The previous passage has already highlighted Herod's violence. Note the social dynamics of the trip of the Tyrian and Sidonians to visit Herod. There is deep sarcasm underneath this passage. Why do they want to ask Herod for peace? How does this affect their response to Herod? What is the irony of what then happens to Herod? What is Herod full of? Violence here gives raise to false flattery that ultimately comes to show the death of those who control by threats of violence.

V. 24: What would be the function of this verse? How does it relate to Herod and what has just happened? Has Herod's glory spread? Instead, what has spread? In what circumstances?

V. 25: Return to 11:27-30. What was Barnabas and Saul's mission? Why would John Mark come with them? What had they accomplished?

Now let's return to the literary structure of the passage. What is the result of "Herod's mission" for others and for him? How was it pursued? For what end? What was Barnabas' and Saul's mission? How was it pursued? For what end?

Now, how does that relate to the spreading of the Word of God? What is the context of the world and of the church for the spread of the Word of God today? Why would these all be important? How can this take place in our midst?

Have a wonderful evening!