Acts 8:14

KJV

¶ Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

KJV (with Strong's)

Now {G1161} when the apostles {G652} which {G3588} were at {G1722} Jerusalem {G2414} heard {G191} that {G3754} Samaria {G4540} had received {G1209} the word {G3056} of God {G2316}, they sent {G649} unto {G4314} them {G846} Peter {G4074} and {G2532} John {G2491}:

Complete Jewish Bible

When the emissaries in Yerushalayim heard that Shomron had received the Word of God, they sent them Kefa and Yochanan,

Berean Standard Bible

When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them.

American Standard Version

Now when the apostles that were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 8:14 records a pivotal moment in the early church's expansion, detailing the response of the Jerusalem apostles upon hearing that the Samaritans had embraced the Gospel. This verse underscores the central authority and oversight of the apostolic leadership, as Peter and John are dispatched to Samaria to confirm the new converts' faith and integrate them fully into the burgeoning body of Christ, signifying a crucial step in the Gospel's spread beyond its initial Jewish confines.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the account of Philip's powerful and successful ministry in Samaria. Following the intense persecution that erupted in Jerusalem after Stephen's martyrdom, many believers, including Philip, were scattered from Jerusalem ([Acts 8:1](/acts/8-1 "Acts 8:1 - Persecution and Scattering")). Philip, a deacon, went down to Samaria, where he preached Christ, performed miracles, and cast out unclean spirits, leading to widespread joy and many conversions. The Samaritans, having heard Philip's message, believed and were baptized. Acts 8:14 thus serves as a narrative pivot, shifting the focus from Philip's individual evangelistic success to the broader apostolic oversight and the subsequent impartation of the Holy Spirit, which is detailed in the verses that follow ([Acts 8:15-17](/acts/8-15-17 "Acts 8:15-17 - Peter and John Impart the Spirit")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The region of Samaria held a complex historical and cultural position. For centuries, Samaritans and Jews harbored deep-seated animosity, stemming from religious and ethnic differences, including disputes over the proper place of worship (Mount Gerizim versus Jerusalem). This tension is famously illustrated in [John 4:9](/john/4-9 "John 4:9 - Samaritan-Jewish Animosity"). The fact that Samaritans "received the word of God" was therefore a remarkable and unexpected development, challenging deeply ingrained prejudices. The apostles' decision to send Peter and John from Jerusalem, the spiritual and administrative center of early Christianity, highlights the significance of this breakthrough. It also reflects the early church's understanding of its mission to transcend traditional boundaries, moving beyond a purely Jewish audience.
* **Key Themes:** Acts 8:14 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Acts. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Apostolic Oversight and Unity**. The Jerusalem apostles' immediate response to the news from Samaria demonstrates their perceived authority and responsibility to ensure the purity of the Gospel and the unity of the church as it expanded. Their sending of Peter and John was not to question the validity of Philip's work but to confirm it and to integrate these new believers into the broader Christian community, preventing any schism between Jewish and Samaritan believers. Secondly, it marks a crucial stage in the **Expansion of the Gospel**, directly fulfilling Christ's commission in [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - The Great Commission"), which mandated the spread of the Gospel from "Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." The acceptance of the Gospel in Samaria represented a significant breakthrough, challenging ethnic and cultural barriers and demonstrating God's inclusive plan for salvation. Thirdly, it subtly introduces the theme of the **Holy Spirit's Impartation**, as the subsequent verses reveal that Peter and John were sent specifically for the Samaritans to receive the Holy Spirit, which had not yet been given to them through Philip's ministry alone ([Acts 8:17](/acts/8-17 "Acts 8:17 - Reception of the Holy Spirit")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Apostles (Greek, _apóstolos'_):** Derived from _apostéllō_ (to send out on a mission), this term refers to a delegate or ambassador, specifically commissioned by Christ with miraculous powers. In this context, it emphasizes the unique authority and foundational role of the original twelve (minus Judas, plus Matthias) in the early church's governance and doctrinal purity. Their position in Jerusalem highlights the centralized leadership structure at this nascent stage.
* **Heard (Greek, _akoúō'_):** This primary verb signifies not merely perceiving sound, but understanding and giving audience. The apostles' "hearing" implies they received a report, likely from Philip or other believers, that communicated the significant spiritual developments in Samaria, prompting their strategic response. It suggests an active reception of information that led to action.
* **Received (Greek, _déchomai'_):** This verb, in the middle voice, means to accept or take in various applications, literally or figuratively. Here, it denotes the Samaritans' willing and active acceptance of "the word of God." It implies not just hearing, but believing and embracing the Gospel message preached by Philip, leading to their conversion and baptism. This reception was genuine and foundational to their new faith.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard":** This clause establishes the central authority and location of the early church's leadership. The "apostles" are the authoritative body, based in Jerusalem, the spiritual hub. Their "hearing" indicates that news of the Samaritan revival reached them, prompting their attention and subsequent action.
* **"that Samaria had received the word of God":** This is the crucial piece of information that reached Jerusalem. "Received the word of God" signifies the Samaritans' genuine conversion through Philip's preaching, implying faith and acceptance of the Gospel message. This was a monumental development, breaking down long-standing ethnic and religious barriers.
* **"they sent unto them Peter and John":** This action demonstrates the apostles' immediate and decisive response. The dispatch of two prominent apostles, Peter (the leading voice) and John (a pillar of the church), underscores the importance of the situation. Their mission was not to re-evangelize, but to confirm, validate, and integrate the new Samaritan believers, particularly regarding the reception of the Holy Spirit, as the subsequent verses reveal.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative in Acts 8:14 primarily employs **Narrative Progression**, moving the story forward from Philip's individual ministry to the broader apostolic oversight. This progression highlights the organized, divinely guided expansion of the church. The verse also utilizes **Juxtaposition** by implicitly contrasting the historical animosity between Jews and Samaritans with the unifying power of the Gospel, which leads to the Samaritans "receiving the word of God." Furthermore, the sending of Peter and John serves as an element of **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the significant spiritual event that is about to occur in Samaria—the impartation of the Holy Spirit through the laying on of apostolic hands, which is detailed in the subsequent verses. This strategic move emphasizes the importance of apostolic validation and the orderly reception of spiritual gifts in the early church.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 8:14 powerfully illustrates God's sovereign plan for the universal spread of the Gospel, transcending all human-made divisions. The apostles' response to the Samaritan conversions demonstrates the early church's commitment to unity and the necessity of authoritative oversight in nurturing new believers and integrating diverse communities into the body of Christ. It underscores the truth that salvation is for all who believe, regardless of their background, and that the "word of God" has the power to break down the most entrenched barriers. This event confirms the divine trajectory of the church's mission, moving outward from Jerusalem as commissioned by Christ, bringing together those who were formerly alienated into one new humanity in Him.

* [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - The Great Commission")
* [Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - Unity in Christ")
* [Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Breaks Down Barriers")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 8:14 offers profound lessons for the contemporary church, emphasizing the importance of both courageous evangelism and careful pastoral oversight. Just as Philip faithfully preached the Word, leading to genuine conversions, so too are believers today called to boldly share the Gospel, trusting in its power to transform lives and bridge divides. Yet, the apostles' response reminds us that the work of the church extends beyond initial conversion; it includes nurturing new believers, ensuring sound doctrine, and fostering unity within the global body of Christ. This passage challenges us to consider how our local churches can effectively integrate new converts from diverse backgrounds, providing spiritual nourishment and a sense of belonging. It also calls leaders to exercise wise and compassionate oversight, prioritizing the spiritual health and unity of the church over personal preferences or cultural biases.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the apostles' response in Acts 8:14 model responsible leadership and care for new believers in the church today?**
* **In what ways might our own cultural or social biases hinder us from embracing and integrating new believers from different backgrounds, similar to the Jewish-Samaritan divide?**
* **What does "receiving the word of God" truly mean in a practical sense for our lives, and how does it lead to genuine transformation?**

### FAQ
**Why did the apostles send Peter and John if Philip had already successfully preached and baptized in Samaria?**

Answer: The sending of Peter and John was not to validate Philip's ministry or the Samaritans' initial conversion and baptism, which were clearly genuine. Instead, it was primarily for the impartation of the Holy Spirit, as detailed in the subsequent verses ([Acts 8:15-17](/acts/8-15-17 "Acts 8:15-17 - Receiving the Holy Spirit")). In this unique early church context, the Holy Spirit sometimes came upon believers subsequent to their initial faith and baptism, often through the laying on of apostolic hands. This apostolic involvement also served to confirm the legitimacy of the Samaritan conversions to the Jerusalem leadership, ensuring unity and demonstrating that this expansion was indeed part of God's plan for the church's growth beyond Jewish confines, fulfilling the commission in [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - The Scope of the Mission"). It underscored the central authority of the apostles in overseeing the church's expansion and maintaining doctrinal and spiritual cohesion.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 8:14, while narrating an event of church expansion, points profoundly to Christ's ongoing work and the fulfillment of His mission. The Samaritans, historically estranged from the Jewish people, "received the word of God" because Jesus Himself had initiated the breaking down of these barriers during His earthly ministry, notably in His encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well ([John 4:1-42](/john/4-1-42 "John 4:1-42 - Jesus and the Samaritan Woman")). The sending of Peter and John from Jerusalem to Samaria directly fulfills Christ's commission for the Gospel to spread "in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth" ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - The Commission to the Ends of the Earth")). This event demonstrates that Christ's redemptive work on the cross was for all humanity, effectively dismantling the "dividing wall of hostility" between Jew and Gentile, creating "one new humanity" ([Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Reconciliation in Christ")). The subsequent impartation of the Holy Spirit by the apostles confirms that the Spirit, promised by Christ ([John 14:16-17](/john/14-16-17 "John 14:16-17 - The Promise of the Helper")), is poured out on all who believe in Him, irrespective of their former identity, thus uniting them into the body of Christ, His church ([1 Corinthians 12:13](/1_corinthians/12-13 "1 Corinthians 12:13 - One Body, Many Members")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Thessalonians 3:2

And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:

1 Thessalonians 2:13

¶ For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received [it] not [as] the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

Acts 8:1

¶ 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.

Galatians 2:9

And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we [should go] unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

2 Thessalonians 2:10

And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

Acts 2:41

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added [unto them] about three thousand souls.

Acts 11:1

¶ And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.