Bible Strands
Acts 12:21
On the appointed day, Herod donned his royal robes, sat on his throne, and addressed the people.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Herod addresses the Tyrian and Sidonian delegates on a scheduled public day while seated on his throne in a civic assembly.
The words — ἐσθῆτα βασιλικήν (esthēta basilikēn) translates literally to “royal apparel,” denoting the specific garments worn to project sovereign status.
The thread — Earthly rulers donning royal attire and claiming divine favor recur in Daniel 4:30 and 2 Chronicles 20:15, where human exaltation is immediately followed by divine correction.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to observe that public displays of scheduled authority and human prestige operate within, and will be judged by, divine timing.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.