Acts 8:27

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,

Complete Jewish Bible:

So he got up and went. On his way, he caught sight of an Ethiopian, a eunuch who was minister in charge of all the treasure of the Kandake, or queen, of Ethiopia. He had been to Yerushalayim to worship;

Berean Standard Bible:

So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official in charge of the entire treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. He had gone to Jerusalem to worship,

American Standard Version:

And he arose and went: and behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, who had come to Jerusalem to worship;

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And^{G2532} he arose^{G450} and went^{G4198}: and^{G2532}, behold^{G2400}, a man^{G435} of Ethiopia^{G128}, an eunuch^{G2135} of great authority^{G1413} under Candace^{G2582} queen^{G938} of the Ethiopians^{G128}, who^{G3739} had^{G2258} the charge of^{G1909} all^{G3956} her^{G846} treasure^{G1047}, and^{G3739} had come^{G2064} to^{G1519} Jerusalem^{G2419} for to worship^{G4352},

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Commentary for Acts 8:27

Acts 8:27 is a verse that captures a significant moment in the early Christian church, highlighting the spread of the Gospel beyond the Jewish people to the wider Gentile world. The verse introduces us to an Ethiopian eunuch, a high-ranking official in the court of Candace, the queen of Ethiopia. This man was in charge of her entire treasury, indicating his considerable influence and wealth. The historical context of this verse is set during a time of great expansion for the early church, shortly after the stoning of Stephen, which led to widespread persecution and the scattering of Christians from Jerusalem.

The eunuch's journey to Jerusalem for worship suggests his religious seeking, perhaps reflecting a conversion to or a deep respect for Judaism, which was not uncommon among Gentiles during this period. The fact that he is reading from the Book of Isaiah (as revealed in the subsequent verses) indicates his literacy and engagement with the Jewish scriptures, which would have been unusual for a Gentile of that time.

The themes present in this verse include the inclusivity of the Christian message, as the eunuch represents those on the margins of society—a foreigner, a eunuch, and a person of significant status choosing to engage with the faith. It also touches on the theme of divine appointments, as the encounter between the eunuch and the apostle Philip, which follows in the narrative, is orchestrated by God. This meeting leads to the eunuch's baptism, marking one of the first recorded conversions of a Gentile in the New Testament and setting a precedent for the church's mission to all nations.

In summary, Acts 8:27 is a pivotal verse that illustrates the early church's movement beyond Judaism and into the broader world. It underscores the universality of the Christian message and the breaking down of cultural, social, and ethnic barriers that characterized the apostolic era. The encounter between Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch serves as a narrative of conversion and baptism, signifying the church's growth and the fulfillment of Jesus' command to make disciples of all nations.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G2532
   There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καί
   Transliteration: kaí
   Pronunciation: kahee
   Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: G450
   There are 145 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀνίστημι
   Transliteration: anístēmi
   Pronunciation: an-is'-tay-mee
   Description: from ἀνά and ἵστημι; to stand up (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive):--arise, lift up, raise up (again), rise (again), stand up(-right).
   
3. Strong's Number: G4198
   There are 147 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πορεύομαι
   Transliteration: poreúomai
   Pronunciation: por-yoo'-om-ahee
   Description: middle voice from a derivative of the same as πεῖρα; to traverse, i.e. travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively, die), live, etc.); --depart, go (away, forth, one's way, up), (make a, take a) journey, walk.
   
4. Strong's Number: G2400
   There are 204 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἰδού
   Transliteration: idoú
   Pronunciation: id-oo'
   Description: second person singular imperative middle voice of εἴδω; used as imperative lo!; --behold, lo, see.
   
5. Strong's Number: G435
   There are 279 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀνήρ
   Transliteration: anḗr
   Pronunciation: an'-ayr
   Description: a primary word (compare ἄνθρωπος); a man (properly as an individual male):--fellow, husband, man, sir.
   
6. Strong's Number: G128
   There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: Αἰθίοψ
   Transliteration: Aithíops
   Pronunciation: ahee-thee'-ops
   Description: from (to scorch) and (the face, from ὀπτάνομαι); an Æthiopian (as a blackamoor):--Ethiopian.
   
7. Strong's Number: G2135
   There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: εὐνοῦχος
   Transliteration: eunoûchos
   Pronunciation: yoo-noo'-khos
   Description: from (a bed) and ἔχω; a castrated person (such being employed in Oriental bed-chambers); by extension an impotent or unmarried man; by implication, a chamberlain (state-officer):--eunuch.
   
8. Strong's Number: G1413
   There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δυνάστης
   Transliteration: dynástēs
   Pronunciation: doo-nas'-tace
   Description: from δύναμαι; a ruler or officer:--of great authority, mighty, potentate.
   
9. Strong's Number: G2582
   There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: Κανδάκη
   Transliteration: Kandákē
   Pronunciation: kan-dak'-ay
   Description: of foreign origin; Candacè, an Egyptian queen:--Candace.
   
10. Strong's Number: G938
    There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: βασίλισσα
    Transliteration: basílissa
    Pronunciation: bas-il'-is-sah
    Description: feminine from βασιλεύω; a queen:--queen.
    
11. Strong's Number: G3739
    There are 1215 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὅς
    Transliteration: hós
    Pronunciation: ho
    Description: probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article ὁ); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc. See also οὗ.
    
12. Strong's Number: G2258
    There are 416 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἦν
    Transliteration: ēn
    Pronunciation: ane
    Description: imperfect of εἰμί; I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were):--+ agree, be, X have (+ charge of), hold, use, was(-t), were.
    
13. Strong's Number: G1909
    There are 790 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐπί
    Transliteration: epí
    Pronunciation: ep-ee'
    Description: a primary preposition; properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e. over, upon, etc.; of rest (with the dative case) at, on, etc.; of direction (with the accusative case) towards, upon, etc.:--about (the times), above, after, against, among, as long as (touching), at, beside, X have charge of, (be-, (where-))fore, in (a place, as much as, the time of, -to), (because) of, (up-)on (behalf of), over, (by, for) the space of, through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), with. In compounds it retains essentially the same import, at, upon, etc. (literally or figuratively).
    
14. Strong's Number: G3956
    There are 1075 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: πᾶς
    Transliteration: pâs
    Pronunciation: pas
    Description: including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole:--all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.
    
15. Strong's Number: G846
    There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: αὐτός
    Transliteration: autós
    Pronunciation: ow-tos'
    Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
    
16. Strong's Number: G1047
    There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: γάζα
    Transliteration: gáza
    Pronunciation: gad'-zah
    Description: of foreign origin; a treasure:--treasure.
    
17. Strong's Number: G2064
    There are 604 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἔρχομαι
    Transliteration: érchomai
    Pronunciation: el'-tho
    Description: middle voice of a primary verb (used only in the present and imperfect tenses, the others being supplied by a kindred (middle voice) , or (active) , which do not otherwise occur); to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively):--accompany, appear, bring, come, enter, fall out, go, grow, X light, X next, pass, resort, be set.
    
18. Strong's Number: G1519
    There are 1513 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: εἰς
    Transliteration: eis
    Pronunciation: ice
    Description: a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).
    
19. Strong's Number: G2419
    There are 80 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: Ἱερουσαλήμ
    Transliteration: Hierousalḗm
    Pronunciation: hee-er-oo-sal-ame'
    Description: of Hebrew origin (יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם); Hierusalem (i.e. Jerushalem), the capitol of Palestine:--Jerusalem. Compare Ἱεροσόλυμα.
    
20. Strong's Number: G4352
    There are 54 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: προσκυνέω
    Transliteration: proskynéō
    Pronunciation: pros-koo-neh'-o
    Description: from πρός and a probable derivative of κύων (meaning to kiss, like a dog licking his master's hand); to fawn or crouch to, i.e. (literally or figuratively) prostrate oneself in homage (do reverence to, adore):--worship.