Acts 8:30

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And Philip ran thither to [him], and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?

Complete Jewish Bible:

As Philip ran up, he heard the Ethiopian reading from Yesha‘yahu the prophet. “Do you understand what you’re reading?” he asked.

Berean Standard Bible:

So Philip ran up and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.

American Standard Version:

And Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And^{G1161} Philip^{G5376} ran^{G4370} thither to him, and heard^{G191} him^{G846} read^{G314} the prophet^{G4396} Esaias^{G2268}, and^{G2532} said^{G2036}, Understandest thou^{{G687}{G1065}{G1097}} what^{G3739} thou readest^{G314}?

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Commentary for Acts 8:30

Acts 8:30 is a verse set within the larger context of the early Christian church's expansion beyond Jerusalem, following the stoning of Stephen, which led to widespread persecution and the scattering of believers. This scattering, described in Acts 8, ironically became a catalyst for the spread of the Gospel. Philip the Evangelist, one of the seven deacons appointed in Acts 6, is the central figure in this narrative.

In Acts 8:30, Philip is directed by an angel to travel south from Jerusalem to Gaza, which is on the edge of the Judean wilderness. Along the way, he encounters an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man is likely a convert to Judaism or at least a "God-fearer," as he is returning from worship in Jerusalem and is literate in Hebrew, capable of reading the Jewish Scriptures.

The verse captures a pivotal moment where Philip hears the eunuch reading from the prophet Isaiah (Esaias in the Greek Septuagint). Philip's question, "Understandest thou what thou readest?" is both a literal inquiry and a profound spiritual invitation. It underscores the theme of seeking understanding in one's encounter with Scripture, a theme that resonates throughout the Bible. The question also serves as a bridge for Philip to explain the Gospel, specifically how the Scriptures the eunuch is reading point to Jesus Christ.

This scene reflects the historical reality of the time, where the Jewish Scriptures were being interpreted in light of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. It also illustrates the inclusive nature of the early church's message, reaching out to people from various backgrounds, including those on the fringes of Jewish society, like a eunuch from a distant land. The verse sets the stage for one of the first recorded instances of evangelism to a non-Jew, foreshadowing the church's eventual mission to the Gentiles and the spread of Christianity beyond its Jewish roots.

*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: G1161
   There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δέ
   Transliteration: dé
   Pronunciation: deh
   Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
   
2. Strong's Number: G5376
   There are 37 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: Φίλιππος
   Transliteration: Phílippos
   Pronunciation: fil'-ip-pos
   Description: from φίλος and ἵππος; fond of horses; Philippus, the name of four Israelites:--Philip.
   
3. Strong's Number: G4370
   There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: προστρέχω
   Transliteration: prostréchō
   Pronunciation: pros-trekh'-o
   Description: from πρός and τρέχω (including its alternate); to run towards, i.e. hasten to meet or join:--run (thither to, to).
   
4. Strong's Number: G191
   There are 448 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀκούω
   Transliteration: akoúō
   Pronunciation: ak-oo'-o
   Description: a primary verb; to hear (in various senses):--give (in the) audience (of), come (to the ears), (shall) hear(-er, -ken), be noised, be reported, understand.
   
5. 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.
   
6. Strong's Number: G314
   There are 199 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀναγινώσκω
   Transliteration: anaginṓskō
   Pronunciation: an-ag-in-oce'-ko
   Description: from ἀνά and γινώσκω; to know again, i.e. (by extension) to read:--read.
   
7. Strong's Number: G4396
   There are 143 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: προφήτης
   Transliteration: prophḗtēs
   Pronunciation: prof-ay'-tace
   Description: from a compound of πρό and φημί; a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet:--prophet.
   
8. Strong's Number: G2268
   There are 21 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: Ἡσαΐας
   Transliteration: Hēsaḯas
   Pronunciation: hay-sah-ee'-as
   Description: of Hebrew origin (יְשַׁעְיָה); Hesaias (i.e. Jeshajah), an Israelite:--Esaias.
   
9. 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.
   
10. Strong's Number: G2036
    There are 901 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἔπω
    Transliteration: épō
    Pronunciation: ep'-o
    Description: a primary verb (used only in the definite past tense, the others being borrowed from ἐρέω, ῥέω, and φημί); to speak or say (by word or writing):--answer, bid, bring word, call, command, grant, say (on), speak, tell. Compare λέγω.
    
11. Strong's Number: G687
    There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἆρα
    Transliteration: âra
    Pronunciation: ar'-ah
    Description: a form of ἄρα, denoting an interrogation to which a negative answer is presumed:--therefore.
    
12. Strong's Number: G1065
    There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: γέ
    Transliteration: gé
    Pronunciation: gheh
    Description: a primary particle of emphasis or qualification (often used with other particles prefixed):--and besides, doubtless, at least, yet.
    
13. Strong's Number: G1097
    There are 208 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: γινώσκω
    Transliteration: ginṓskō
    Pronunciation: ghin-oce'-ko
    Description: a prolonged form of a primary verb; to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed):--allow, be aware (of), feel, (have) know(-ledge), perceived, be resolved, can speak, be sure, understand.
    
14. 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.