But the word of the Lord continued to grow and to be multiplied.
Parallel translations
- WEB But the word of God grew and multiplied.
- KJV But the word of God grew and multiplied.
- BSB But the word of God continued to spread and multiply.
- NKJV But the word of God grew and 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 6:7The word of God increased and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly. A great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
- 2 Th 3:1Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified, even as also with you;
- Acts 19:20So the word of the Lord was growing and becoming mighty.
- Matt 16:18I also tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my assembly, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.
- Acts 11:21The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.
- Col 1:6which has come to you; even as it is in all the world and is bearing fruit and growing, as it does in you also, since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth;
- Isa 41:10–13Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.
- Dan 2:44In the days of those kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, nor shall its sovereignty be left to another people; but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.
- Isa 54:14–17In righteousness you will be established. You will be far from oppression, for you will not be afraid; and far from terror, for it shall not come near you.
- Dan 2:24Therefore Daniel went in to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon; he went and said thus to him: Don’t destroy the wise men of Babylon; bring me in before the king, and I will show to the king the interpretation.
- Acts 5:39But if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow it, and you would be found even to be fighting against God!”
- Prov 28:28When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous thrive.
- Isa 55:10For as the rain comes down and the snow from the sky, and doesn’t return there, but waters the earth, and makes it grow and bud, and gives seed to the sower and bread to the eater;
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.