Luke the writer, is conscious of parallels in the previous paragraph. He presents Herod the official King of the Jews as a contrast to the situation of Jesus. It appears that Herod deliberately seized Peter at the Passover time, imprisoned him and made the Jews, (it would seem the Jewish council of leaders), aware that Peter would be brought before them and condemned to death as Jesus himself had been condemned. We recall that Herod was keen to see a 'miracle' of Jesus. In this case a miracle did occur - Peter's release. But Herod was not impressed this time and he withdrew, possibly in fear. Then his anger turned on the townships of Tyre and Sidon. The cities have a connection to Herod through a household servant (an echo of Jesus' connection through a household servant). Herod appears before the people as though transfigured (another echo). They are before him with "one mind", but not with the same mind as the disciples of Jesus. They call out in the "loud

voice" that is referred to by Luke. They claim Herod speaks as though he were a god. This is another echo c/f 'the word' of God being spoken or proclaimed through the mouth of the apostles. But Herod takes any such praise to himself and his destiny is linked with that of 'worms' which recall the images used in Scripture to reflect damnation.

2. . Power through truth

12:24-13:12

sorcerer

monetary

12:24-13:12 But the word of the Lord grew and increased. Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem having completed their mission, taking with them John who was surnamed Mark. 13:1. Now in Antioch amongst existing church prophets and teachers there were both Barnabas and Simeon who was called Niger. There were Lucius the Cyrenian and Manaen who was a foster brother of Herod the tetrarch and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit spoke to them. Separate off for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. Then having fasted and having prayed and laid hands on them they (leaders of the church in Antioch) dismissed them. They (Barnabas and Saul) therefore were sent out by the Holy Spirit and went down to Seleucia and from there sailed away to Cyprus. Being in Salamis they announced the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. They also

had John (Mark) as an attendant. Passing through all the island until Paphos they found a certain man who was a magician and a false prophet. He was Jewish and was named Barjesus. He was with the proconsul Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man called Barnabas and Saul to him in order to hear the word of God. But Elymas (which was the translated name of the sorcerer) was opposed to them. He sought to divert the proconsul from the faith. But Saul (also called Paul) was filled with the Holy Spirit and gazed at him and said "You are full of deceit and fraud and a son of the devil the enemy of all righteousness. Will you not stop perverting the righteous ways of the Lord Now behold the hand of the Lord is on you. You will be blind, not seeing the sun until a certain time." And at once a mist and darkness fell on him (the sorcerer) and he sought out people to lead him by the hand. Then the proconsul on seeing what had occurred believed. He was astounded at the teaching of the Lord.