But the word of God continued to spread and multiply.
Parallel translations
- WEB But the word of God grew and multiplied.
- KJV But the word of God grew and multiplied.
- NKJV But the word of God grew and multiplied.
- NASB But the word of the Lord continued to grow and to be multiplied.
- NLT Meanwhile, the word of God continued to spread, and there were many new believers.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
In contrast to Herod's death, the word of God grows and multiplies. The gospel advances despite, and beyond, every opposition.
Overview
This brief summary statement is one of several in Acts marking the gospel's unstoppable progress. Set immediately after the persecutor's demise, it shows that human hostility cannot halt God's purposes. The kingdom of God spreads not by force but by the living, multiplying word, fulfilling Christ's commission.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 13
- Acts 6:7So the word of God continued to spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem grew rapidly, and a great number of priests became obedient to the faith.
- 2 Th 3:1Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may spread quickly and be held in honor, just as it was with you.
- Acts 19:20So the word of the Lord powerfully continued to spread and prevail.
- Matt 16:18And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.
- Acts 11:21The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.
- Col 1:6that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood the grace of God.
- Isa 41:10–13Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My right hand of righteousness.
- Dan 2:44In the days of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will shatter all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, but will itself stand forever.
- Isa 54:14–17In righteousness you will be established, far from oppression, for you will have no fear. Terror will be far removed, for it will not come near you.
- Dan 2:24Therefore Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon, and said to him, “Do not execute the wise men of Babylon! Bring me before the king, and I will give him the interpretation.”
- Acts 5:39But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God.”
- Prov 28:28When the wicked come to power, people hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous flourish.
- Isa 55:10For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return without watering the earth, making it bud and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat,
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Acts is the risen Christ continuing his work by the Spirit through the church, as the apostles preach that there is salvation in no other name under heaven.
How Acts 12:24 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.