Acts 8:20

KJV

But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} Peter {G4074} said {G2036} unto {G4314} him {G846}, Thy {G4675} money {G694} perish {G1498}{G1519}{G684} with {G4862} thee {G4671}, because {G3754} thou hast thought {G3543} that the gift {G1431} of God {G2316} may be purchased {G2932} with {G1223} money {G5536}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But Kefa said to him, “Your silver go to ruin — and you with it, for thinking the free gift of God can be bought!

Berean Standard Bible

But Peter replied, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!

American Standard Version

But Peter said unto him, Thy silver perish with thee, because thou hast thought to obtain the gift of God with money.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 8:20 records the Apostle Peter's forceful and unequivocal condemnation of Simon Magus, who attempted to purchase the spiritual power of the Holy Spirit with money. This pivotal moment underscores the absolute sacredness and uncommercializable nature of God's divine gifts, asserting that divine grace is freely bestowed and cannot be acquired through worldly transactions or human manipulation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the broader narrative of the early church's expansion beyond Jerusalem, specifically following the persecution that scattered believers, leading Philip to Samaria. Philip's powerful ministry in Samaria, marked by signs and wonders, led many, including the renowned sorcerer Simon, to believe and be baptized ([Acts 8:5-13](/acts/8-5-13 "Acts 8:5-13 - Philip's Ministry in Samaria")). When Peter and John arrived from Jerusalem to confirm the work and impart the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands, Simon, witnessing this unique apostolic power, offered them money to gain the ability to bestow the Spirit himself ([Acts 8:18-19](/acts/8-18-19 "Acts 8:18-19 - Simon's Offer to Buy Power")). Peter's response in verse 20 is a direct and severe rebuke to Simon's corrupt proposition, exposing the profound spiritual error at its heart.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Samaria, a region historically distinct from Judea due to its mixed heritage and religious practices, was a significant new frontier for the Gospel. The presence of Peter and John, leading apostles from Jerusalem, was crucial for validating the Samaritan conversions and integrating them into the broader Christian community. Simon Magus himself represents a common figure in the ancient world: a sorcerer or magician who wielded considerable influence through occult practices. Such individuals often sought to acquire greater power, whether through mystical means or, as in Simon's case, by attempting to buy what he perceived as a superior form of spiritual authority. This context highlights the stark contrast between the manipulative, transactional nature of magic and the pure, gratuitous nature of God's power.
* **Key Themes:** Peter's sharp rebuke in [Acts 8:20](/acts/8-20 "Acts 8:20 - Peter Rebukes Simon Magus") contributes significantly to several key themes within the book of Acts and broader New Testament theology. Foremost is **The Unpurchasable Gift of God**, emphasizing that divine grace, salvation, and spiritual gifts are freely given by God and cannot be earned, bought, or manipulated by human means. This principle stands in direct opposition to any commercialization of faith. Secondly, this incident gives rise to the term **Rebuke of Simony**, an ecclesiastical offense referring to the buying or selling of spiritual offices, sacraments, or sacred things. Peter's condemnation serves as a timeless warning against profiting from spiritual authority or blessings. Finally, the passage highlights **Divine Authority and Righteous Indignation**, demonstrating the apostles' profound understanding of the sacredness of their ministry and the Holy Spirit, and their willingness to confront corruption with uncompromising moral clarity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **perish (Greek, _eíēn_ / _apṓleia'_):** The phrase "perish with thee" combines the optative mood of `eíēn` (from `eimí`, "to be"), indicating a strong wish or imprecation, with `apṓleia` (G684), meaning "ruin or loss (physical, spiritual or eternal), destruction, perdition." This is not merely a wish for Simon's money to be destroyed, but a powerful, almost prophetic, declaration that Simon himself faces spiritual ruin if he persists in such a mindset. It conveys Peter's profound shock and the severity of Simon's spiritual error, suggesting a state of utter destruction or eternal damnation if unrepented.
* **gift (Greek, _dōreá'_):** The term `dōreá` (G1431) specifically denotes a "gratuity" or a "free gift." Its use here is crucial, as it emphasizes that the Holy Spirit, and by extension all divine blessings, are bestowed out of God's unmerited favor, without expectation of payment or return. This word fundamentally contrasts with any notion of a commercial transaction, highlighting the divine initiative and the recipient's unworthiness to earn such a blessing.
* **purchased (Greek, _ktáomai'_):** The verb `ktáomai` (G2932) means "to get, i.e., acquire (by any means; own), obtain, possess, provide, purchase." Simon's thought was that the "gift of God" could be `ktáomai` – acquired, possessed, or purchased – through his own means, specifically money. This word perfectly captures his worldly, transactional mindset, which completely misunderstands the nature of God's grace and the Holy Spirit.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But Peter said unto him,"**: This introduces Peter's immediate and forceful response, indicating a direct confrontation. The conjunction "But" (G1161, `dé`) signals a sharp contrast to Simon's proposition, highlighting the apostles' unwavering commitment to the integrity of spiritual matters.
* **"Thy money perish with thee,"**: This is a severe imprecation, expressing Peter's righteous indignation. It's a wish for destruction not only upon Simon's money but also upon Simon himself, if his heart remains corrupted by such a desire. It underscores the profound spiritual danger of attempting to commercialize divine power.
* **"because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money."**: This clause provides the justification for Peter's strong rebuke. Simon's fundamental error was his "thought" (G3543, `nomízō`, to deem or regard) that God's "gift" (G1431, `dōreá`) could be "purchased" (G2932, `ktáomai`) with "money" (G694, `argýrion`, silver/cash). This reveals a deep misunderstanding of God's grace, viewing divine power as a commodity rather than a sacred, unmerited bestowal.

#### Literary Devices
Peter's declaration in [Acts 8:20](/acts/8-20 "Acts 8:20 - Peter's Stern Rebuke") employs several potent literary devices to convey its gravity. The most prominent is **Apostrophe** or **Direct Address**, as Peter speaks directly and forcefully to Simon ("Thy money perish with thee"). This directness amplifies the personal nature of the rebuke and its immediate impact. The phrase "Thy money perish with thee" also functions as a powerful **Imprecation** or **Curse**, expressing a strong wish for destruction. While not necessarily a literal curse from Peter's own power, it reflects a righteous indignation that aligns with divine judgment against Simon's corrupt intent. Furthermore, there is a clear **Contrast** established between the "gift of God" and the concept of it being "purchased with money." This juxtaposition highlights the incompatibility of divine grace with worldly commercialism. Finally, the use of "money" can be seen as a form of **Metonymy**, where the physical currency stands in for Simon's entire corrupt mindset, his desire for power, and his worldly values that are antithetical to the Spirit's work.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 8:20 serves as a foundational text for understanding the nature of God's grace and the integrity of spiritual gifts. It unequivocally declares that divine blessings are not commodities to be bought, sold, or manipulated, but are freely given by the sovereign will of God. This passage reinforces the New Testament's consistent emphasis on grace as the sole means of receiving salvation and spiritual empowerment, utterly precluding human merit or financial transaction. To attempt to purchase spiritual power is to fundamentally misunderstand God's character, reducing His divine generosity to a worldly exchange and devaluing the sacred. This severe warning protects the purity of the Gospel message and the integrity of the church, ensuring that spiritual authority remains rooted in God's unmerited favor, not in human wealth or influence.

* [Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith")
* [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Gift of God is Eternal Life")
* [1 Peter 4:10](/1_peter/4-10 "1 Peter 4:10 - Stewards of God's Varied Grace")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 8:20 stands as a timeless and potent warning against the commercialization and exploitation of spiritual things, a temptation that can manifest in various forms even today. It calls believers to a profound appreciation of God's unmerited grace, reminding us that salvation, spiritual gifts, and divine favor are never earned or purchased, but are freely bestowed out of God's boundless love. This passage challenges us to examine our own hearts and motives: Do we subtly believe that our giving, our service, or our good deeds can somehow obligate God to bless us or grant us spiritual power? Are there instances where spiritual positions, prophetic words, or ministry opportunities are treated as commodities to be traded or leveraged for personal gain, prestige, or financial profit? Peter's righteous indignation demands that the church maintain absolute purity in its practices, valuing the sacred above all worldly considerations and ensuring that the Gospel remains a message of free grace, untainted by human greed or manipulation. We are called to cultivate humility, gratitude, and a steadfast commitment to the truth that God's gifts are priceless and beyond any earthly transaction.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I view spiritual gifts and blessings in my own life? Are they truly seen as unmerited gifts from God, or do I subtly believe they can be earned or manipulated?**
* **In what ways might the temptation to "purchase" or commercialize spiritual things manifest in today's church or in my personal walk, perhaps through seeking influence, status, or material gain from spiritual activities?**
* **What does Peter's strong rebuke teach me about the sacredness of God's grace and the importance of pure motives in ministry and in my relationship with God?**

### FAQ
**What is "simony" and how does Acts 8:20 relate to it?**

Answer: "Simony" is the ecclesiastical offense of buying or selling spiritual things, such as church offices, sacraments, pardons, or spiritual benefits. The term is derived directly from Simon Magus, the sorcerer in Acts 8:20, who attempted to purchase the ability to impart the Holy Spirit from the apostles Peter and John. Peter's stern condemnation of Simon's proposition ("Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money") serves as the foundational biblical text against such practices. This incident established a clear precedent within Christian tradition, emphasizing that divine power and spiritual authority are gifts of God's grace, not commodities to be acquired through financial transactions. Throughout church history, simony has been a recurring issue, and this verse remains the primary biblical basis for its condemnation.

**Does Peter's harsh rebuke mean Simon Magus was not a true believer?**

Answer: Simon Magus's spiritual state is a complex and debated topic. [Acts 8:13](/acts/8-13 "Acts 8:13 - Simon Believes and is Baptized") explicitly states that Simon "himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip." This suggests an initial intellectual or even emotional assent to the Gospel, perhaps driven by amazement at Philip's miracles. However, his subsequent attempt to purchase the power to impart the Holy Spirit, as recorded in [Acts 8:18-19](/acts/8-18-19 "Acts 8:18-19 - Simon's Corrupt Offer"), reveals a profound misunderstanding of the nature of God and His gifts, indicating that his faith was superficial or motivated by a desire for personal power and gain rather than genuine repentance and submission to Christ. Peter's severe rebuke, followed by a call to repentance in [Acts 8:22](/acts/8-22 "Acts 8:22 - Peter's Call to Repentance"), suggests that while Simon had made an outward profession, his heart was "not right in the sight of God" ([Acts 8:21](/acts/8-21 "Acts 8:21 - Peter's Assessment of Simon's Heart")). The passage serves as a cautionary tale about the difference between outward conformity and genuine, transformative faith.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 8:20, with its stark condemnation of attempting to purchase God's gift, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "gift of God" that Simon sought to acquire was the Holy Spirit, the very Spirit that Christ promised to send to His disciples after His ascension ([John 14:26](/john/14-26 "John 14:26 - The Promise of the Holy Spirit")). This divine gift, along with salvation itself, is freely bestowed upon humanity not through any human transaction, but through the unparalleled, unmerited grace accomplished by Christ's sacrificial death and resurrection. Jesus, the ultimate "gift" from God to a lost world ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")), purchased our redemption not with money, but with His own precious blood. All spiritual blessings and the very indwelling of the Holy Spirit are made available to us because Christ paid the ultimate price, making grace abundant where sin abounded ([Romans 5:15](/romans/5-15 "Romans 5:15 - Grace Abounds Through Christ")). Thus, Simon's attempt to buy what Christ freely gives highlights the profound difference between human striving for power and God's gracious provision through His Son, who "gives gifts to men" ([Ephesians 4:7-8](/ephesians/4-7-8 "Ephesians 4:7-8 - Christ Gives Gifts to Men")) to those who repent and believe ([Acts 2:38](/acts/2-38 "Acts 2:38 - Repentance and the Gift of the Holy Spirit")).

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

Matthew 10:8

Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

Daniel 5:17

Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation.

Acts 2:38

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Revelation 18:15

The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,

2 Peter 2:14

Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:

2 Peter 2:17

These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.

2 Kings 5:15

¶ And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that [there is] no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant.