At the end of chapter 12, Luke records the gruesome expiry of Herod. Then he includes another summary statement, a reminder in Acts 12:24 that the word of God increased and multiplied. Luke deliberately juxtaposes these two events. Herod dies because of his blasphemy and arrogance, but the word of God increases. A ruler dies, but the kingdom of God extends. The fame of Jesus keeps on getting more famous. Then this spontaneously-planted
