Acts8

Following Stephen's death, a great persecution scattered believers from Jerusalem, prompting Philip to preach Christ in Samaria, where many, including the sorcerer Simon, believed and were baptized. Peter and John were sent to impart the Holy Ghost, rebuking Simon for attempting to purchase this spiritual power. Later, Philip was divinely led to an Ethiopian eunuch, whom he instructed in scripture and baptized, before being supernaturally transported away.
Listen to this chapter
0:00 0:00

Persecution Scatters the Church

1
And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. ​
2
And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. ​
3
As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. ​
4
Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

Philip Preaches in Samaria

5
Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. ​
6
And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
7
For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.
8
And there was great joy in that city.
9
But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: ​
10
To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.
11
And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
12
But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
13
Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. ​

Apostolic Confirmation and Simon Magus

14
Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: ​
15
Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: ​
16
(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
17
Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
18
And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, ​
19
Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
20
But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
21
Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. ​
22
Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
23
For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. ​
24
Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.
25
And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch

26
And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. ​
27
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, ​
28
Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
29
Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
30
And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
31
And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
32
The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: ​
33
In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.
34
And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?
35
Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. ​
36
And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37
And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. ​
38
And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
39
And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. ​
40
But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea. ​

Study Notes for Acts 8

Verse 1

The violent persecution following Stephen’s martyrdom, orchestrated by Saul, ironically served to fulfill Jesus’ command to spread the gospel beyond Jerusalem into Judea and Samaria (Acts 1:8).

Verse 2

The 'devout men' were likely Jewish believers who risked their own safety to provide Stephen with a proper burial, demonstrating honor and solidarity amidst the widespread hostility.

Verse 3

This verse emphasizes the intense zeal and destructive nature of Saul (later Paul) before his conversion, illustrating the depth of God’s grace in transforming him into the greatest missionary.

Verse 5

This Philip is one of the seven deacons (Acts 6:5), not the Apostle. His ministry in Samaria, a region viewed by Jews as ritually impure, marks the first major step in crossing ethnic boundaries with the gospel.

Verse 9

Simon represents false spiritual power, using 'sorcery' (magic arts) to gain influence. Luke contrasts his self-exaltation with the genuine, Christ-centered power demonstrated by Philip.

Verse 13

Simon’s belief appears superficial; he is captivated by the powerful signs and wonders, suggesting a focus on the miraculous power itself rather than true repentance and submission to Christ.

Verse 14

The sending of Peter and John ensured that the new Samaritan converts remained unified with the original Jewish church in Jerusalem, preventing schism and validating the expansion of the gospel.

Verse 15

The Holy Spirit’s delayed arrival (after baptism) in Samaria is unique; it demonstrated that the apostolic leaders held the authority to officially sanction the inclusion of non-Jewish groups into the church.

Verse 18

Simon’s attempt to purchase spiritual authority gives rise to the term 'simony,' which describes the sin of buying or selling church offices or spiritual gifts.

Verse 21

Peter exposes Simon’s corrupt motives, emphasizing that true participation in God’s kingdom requires a heart devoted to God, not personal gain or earthly power.

Verse 23

The metaphors 'gall of bitterness' and 'bond of iniquity' describe a state of profound moral corruption and spiritual slavery, confirming that Simon’s repentance was likely insincere.

Verse 26

The Spirit directs Philip from a successful mass revival in Samaria to a desolate road to reach a single individual, highlighting the importance of personal, directed evangelism in God’s plan.

Verse 27

The eunuch was a high official from Ethiopia (Kush) and a 'God-fearer,' having traveled to Jerusalem to worship. His conversion represents the gospel reaching the African continent and the 'ends of the earth' (Acts 1:8).

Verse 32

The scroll passage is Isaiah 53:7-8, one of the 'Servant Songs.' This specific text was pivotal in demonstrating how Jesus fulfilled the prophetic requirements of the suffering Messiah.

Verse 35

Philip’s method is the standard apostolic practice: beginning with the Old Testament scriptures to demonstrate that Jesus is the Christ, the central subject of prophetic history.

Verse 37

This verse, affirming the necessity of belief before baptism, is absent from most of the earliest Greek manuscripts but reflects the ancient church’s understanding of the prerequisite for Christian initiation.

Verse 39

Philip’s miraculous disappearance emphasizes the divine direction of the mission and leaves the newly converted eunuch, now filled with joy, to carry the gospel back to his homeland.

Verse 40

Azotus (Ashdod) and Caesarea were major Gentile centers on the coast. Philip establishes Caesarea as his new base, continuing the westward expansion of the gospel toward the Roman world.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate
Settings

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Options