Acts 8:20

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

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}.

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

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

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

Acts 8:20 delivers a powerful and stern rebuke from the Apostle Peter to Simon Magus, who attempted to purchase the spiritual power of the Holy Spirit with money. This verse is pivotal in underscoring the sacred and uncommercializable nature of God's divine gifts.

Context

This verse occurs during the early expansion of the Christian church following the persecution in Jerusalem, which scattered believers, including Philip, to Samaria. Philip had a successful ministry there, performing miracles and preaching the Gospel, leading many Samaritans to believe and be baptized. Among them was a sorcerer named Simon, known for his magical arts, who was greatly impressed by Philip's power and also believed and was baptized. When the apostles Peter and John came from Jerusalem to Samaria, they laid hands on the new believers, and they received the Holy Spirit. Witnessing this, Simon offered Peter and John money, saying, "Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost" (Acts 8:18-19). Peter's response in verse 20 is a sharp condemnation of Simon's corrupt thinking.

Key Themes

  • The Unpurchasable Gift of God: The central message is that God's spiritual gifts, especially the Holy Spirit, are not commodities to be bought or sold. They are freely given by divine grace, not earned or acquired through monetary means. This highlights the contrast between worldly transactions and divine blessings.
  • Rebuke of Simony: This incident gives rise to the term "simony," which refers to the ecclesiastical offense of buying or selling spiritual or church offices, sacraments, or sacred things. Peter's strong words serve as a timeless warning against the commercialization of faith and spiritual power.
  • Divine Authority and Righteous Indignation: Peter's immediate and severe reaction demonstrates the apostles' understanding of the sacredness of their ministry and the Holy Spirit. His indignation is righteous, aimed at protecting the integrity of the nascent Christian faith from corruption.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Thy money perish with thee" (Greek: to argurion sou sun soi eie eis apoleian) is an extremely strong and direct curse, indicating Peter's profound shock and anger at Simon's proposition. It expresses a wish for destruction or ruin, not just of the money, but also of Simon himself if he persists in such a mindset. The term "gift of God" (Greek: dorea tou Theou) emphasizes its nature as a free, unmerited bestowal from God, distinguishing it entirely from anything that can be earned or purchased.

Practical Application

Acts 8:20 remains highly relevant today, serving as a critical reminder for believers and church leaders alike:

  • Guard Against Commercialization: It warns against any attempt to monetize or exploit spiritual blessings, ministries, or positions within the church. God's grace and spiritual power are freely given, not for profit or personal gain.
  • Value God's Grace: The verse powerfully reinforces the truth that salvation and spiritual gifts are gifts of grace, received through faith, not through human effort or payment. This principle is central to the Gospel message (Romans 6:23).
  • Discernment and Purity: It calls for discernment within the church to identify and reject motives that seek to exploit spiritual things for personal advantage. The church is called to maintain purity in its mission and practices.
  • Call to Repentance: Although harsh, Peter's rebuke also serves as a call for Simon to repent, as seen in subsequent verses (Acts 8:22-23). It underscores that salvation and genuine spiritual power flow from a humble, repentant heart, not from a desire for status or control.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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