Acts 8:24

KJV

Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G1161} answered {G611} Simon {G4613}, and said {G2036}, Pray {G1189} ye {G5210} to {G4314} the Lord {G2962} for {G5228} me {G1700}, that {G3704} none of these things {G3367} which {G3739} ye have spoken {G2046} come {G1904} upon {G1909} me {G1691}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Shim‘on answered, “Pray to the Lord for me, so that none of the things you have spoken about will happen to me.”

Berean Standard Bible

Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me, so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”

American Standard Version

And Simon answered and said, Pray ye for me to the Lord, that none of the things which ye have spoken come upon me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 8:24 records Simon the sorcerer's urgent plea to Peter and John, requesting their intercessory prayer to avert the dire consequences Peter had just pronounced upon him. This pivotal moment reveals Simon's profound fear of divine judgment and the immediate, tangible repercussions of his attempt to purchase the Holy Spirit, highlighting a response driven by self-preservation rather than genuine, contrite repentance for his sin.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a critical juncture in the narrative of the early church's expansion beyond Jerusalem, specifically in Samaria, following Philip's successful evangelistic ministry. Philip had preached Christ and performed miracles, leading many Samaritans, including Simon, to believe and be baptized. However, the Holy Spirit had not yet fallen on them. When Peter and John arrived from Jerusalem, they laid hands on the new believers, and they received the Holy Spirit. Simon, a prominent sorcerer who had previously held great sway over the people, was astonished by this manifestation of power and sought to purchase the ability to impart the Spirit with money. Peter's scathing rebuke in [Acts 8:20-23](/acts/8-20-23 "Peter's Rebuke to Simon Magus") immediately precedes Simon's fearful request in [Acts 8:24](/acts/8-24 "Simon's Plea for Intercession"), underscoring the severity of his sin and the divine authority conveyed through the apostles' words.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Samaria, historically a region of mixed Jewish and Gentile heritage, was often viewed with disdain by orthodox Jews. The successful evangelism there, culminating in the reception of the Holy Spirit, marked a significant step in the gospel's spread, breaking down long-standing ethnic and religious barriers. Simon, known as "Simon Magus" or "Simon the Sorcerer," was a figure of considerable influence in Samaria, revered by the people as embodying "the great power of God" ([Acts 8:9-10](/acts/8-9-10 "Simon Magus's Influence in Samaria")). His attempt to buy spiritual power was deeply rooted in the magical practices of the ancient world, where divine favor or abilities were often thought to be transferable commodities. This practice, later termed "simony," was a common misconception in a culture accustomed to paying for religious services or favors, but it stood in stark contrast to the freely given grace of God in the New Covenant.

* **Key Themes:** The passage in [Acts 8](/acts/8 "Acts Chapter 8 - The Gospel in Samaria") powerfully illustrates several key themes. Firstly, it highlights the **authenticity and divine origin of spiritual gifts**, emphasizing that they are bestowed by God's sovereign grace, not acquired through human means or monetary transactions. Simon's error underscores the **danger of a superficial faith**, where one is drawn by power or spectacle rather than by genuine repentance and a transformed heart. His response in [Acts 8:24](/acts/8-24 "Simon's Fearful Plea") further distinguishes between **fear of consequences and true godly sorrow** ([2_corinthians/7-10](/2-corinthians/7-10 "2 Corinthians 7:10 - Godly Sorrow Leading to Repentance")), revealing a desire to avoid punishment rather than a deep contrition for sin itself. Finally, the narrative subtly affirms the **power and necessity of intercessory prayer**, even as it critiques Simon's flawed motivation for seeking it.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **answered (Greek, _apokrínomai'_):** This word, often translated as "answered," can also imply a response that initiates a new phase of discourse, especially after a significant statement or challenge. In this context, Simon's "answer" is not merely a reply but a direct, fearful reaction to Peter's severe judgment, marking a turning point in his interaction with the apostles. It signifies his immediate, albeit self-interested, acknowledgment of the weight of Peter's words.
* **Pray (Greek, _déomai'_):** This term denotes a fervent request, a strong entreaty, or a supplication, often implying a sense of need or urgency. It's more intense than a casual request, suggesting Simon's desperate desire for intervention. His use of this word indicates his recognition of the apostles' spiritual authority and their ability to intercede effectively with God on his behalf, even if his underlying motivation was flawed.
* **come (Greek, _epérchomai'_):** Meaning "to supervene," "arrive," "occur," or "impending," this word carries a sense of something approaching or falling upon someone, often with a negative connotation of judgment or calamity. Simon's fear is that Peter's pronouncements of judgment—that his money would perish with him, and that he had no part in God's gift—would literally "come upon" him, materializing as divine wrath or severe consequences.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then answered Simon, and said":** This phrase immediately follows Peter's stern rebuke and call to repentance. Simon's response is not one of immediate repentance or confession of his sin, but rather a reaction to the severe pronouncement of judgment. It highlights his recognition of the authority of Peter's words and the gravity of his own situation.
* **"Pray ye to the Lord for me":** Simon's plea for the apostles' intercession reveals his understanding of their spiritual standing and access to God. He acknowledges their ability to influence divine action through prayer. However, the request is for *them* to pray *for him*, rather than him directly engaging in personal repentance and prayer as Peter had just commanded. This suggests a reliance on others to mitigate consequences, rather than a personal turning to God.
* **"that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me":** This final clause clarifies the specific nature of Simon's fear and the object of his request. He is not expressing sorrow for his sin of attempting to buy the Holy Spirit, nor is he seeking forgiveness for his unrighteous heart. Instead, his primary concern is to avoid the dire "things" (the perishing of his money with him, and having no part in God's gift) that Peter had prophetically declared would "come upon" him. His motivation is self-preservation from judgment, not genuine spiritual transformation.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs **Foreshadowing** and **Irony**. The immediate, fearful reaction of Simon to Peter's words, particularly his request for intercession to avoid judgment, foreshadows a recurring theme in the New Testament: the difference between a fear of punishment and true, heart-level repentance. Simon's plea is driven by the former, leaving his spiritual state ambiguous and implying a lack of genuine conversion. There is also a strong element of **Irony** in Simon's request. Having just attempted to *buy* spiritual power, he now *begs* for spiritual intercession, demonstrating that while he understands the *power* of the apostles, he still fundamentally misunderstands the *nature* of God's grace and the personal requirement for repentance. His desire to avoid consequences, rather than to confess and forsake his sin, creates a stark contrast with the transformative power of the gospel he had just witnessed.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Simon's reaction in [Acts 8:24](/acts/8-24 "Simon's Plea for Intercession") serves as a profound theological warning against a superficial or self-serving faith. His fear-driven request for intercession, rather than immediate personal repentance, highlights the critical distinction between a desire to escape consequences and a genuine, contrite heart that grieves over sin itself. True repentance, as taught throughout Scripture, involves a turning away from sin and a turning towards God, accompanied by a change of mind and heart, not merely a transactional attempt to avoid divine wrath. This episode underscores that God's gifts are freely given by grace and cannot be manipulated or purchased, and that salvation requires a sincere transformation of the inner person, not just an outward acknowledgment of spiritual power.

* [2 Corinthians 7:10](/2-corinthians/7-10 "Godly Sorrow vs. Worldly Sorrow")
* [Matthew 3:8](/matthew/3-8 "Bearing Fruit in Keeping with Repentance")
* [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "The Wages of Sin and the Gift of God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Simon's desperate plea in [Acts 8:24](/acts/8-24 "Simon's Fearful Request") offers a sobering mirror for self-examination. It compels us to ask whether our pursuit of God is rooted in a genuine love for Him and a desire for holiness, or if it is primarily motivated by a fear of negative consequences or a transactional approach to faith. While a healthy fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, it must lead to a deeper, heart-level transformation, not merely a desire to escape punishment. True repentance involves acknowledging our sin, grieving over it, and actively turning away from it, trusting in God's mercy and forgiveness. We are reminded that while intercessory prayer is a vital component of the Christian life, it does not absolve us of the personal responsibility to confess our sins and seek reconciliation with God directly. God's grace and His spiritual blessings are always free gifts, received through faith, never earned or bought.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What motivates my pursuit of God and obedience to His commands? Is it primarily fear of consequences, or genuine love and a desire for righteousness?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to seek a "quick fix" or rely on others' prayers, rather than engaging in personal repentance and seeking God's forgiveness directly?**
* **How does Simon's attempt to buy spiritual power challenge my understanding of God's grace and the nature of His gifts?**
* **What does true, biblical repentance look like in my daily life, beyond merely avoiding punishment?**

### FAQ
**Did Simon truly repent after Peter's rebuke?**

Answer: The text of [Acts 8:24](/acts/8-24 "Simon's Plea") leaves Simon's ultimate spiritual state ambiguous. His request, "Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me," indicates a fear of judgment and a desire to avoid consequences, but it does not explicitly state that he experienced genuine, heart-level repentance for his sin of attempting to buy God's gift. While he acknowledged the apostles' spiritual authority and the severity of Peter's words, his plea was for *them* to intercede to avert punishment, rather than a personal turning to God in sorrow for his actions. The narrative does not provide further details about his subsequent spiritual journey, leaving his true conversion an open question.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Simon's encounter with Peter in [Acts 8:24](/acts/8-24 "Simon's Fearful Plea") powerfully, albeit negatively, points to the profound truth of Christ's work. Simon's desire to avoid the "things which ye have spoken" — the impending judgment and separation from God's gift — highlights humanity's desperate need for a mediator. Unlike Simon, who sought to avert judgment through human intercession driven by fear, believers find true and lasting deliverance from judgment through the perfect and complete intercession of Jesus Christ. He is not merely one who prays *for* us, but the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), the [one mediator between God and man](/1-timothy/2-5 "1 Timothy 2:5 - Christ, the One Mediator"). Simon's attempt to purchase spiritual power underscores the futility of human effort or wealth in acquiring divine favor, contrasting sharply with the New Covenant where God's ultimate gift, salvation and the Holy Spirit, is freely given by grace through faith in Christ's finished work on the cross ([Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Salvation by Grace Through Faith")). Jesus bore the full weight of God's judgment so that those who believe in Him might never have the "things spoken" of divine wrath "come upon" them, but instead receive eternal life and the indwelling Spirit ([Romans 8:1-2](/romans/8-1-2 "No Condemnation in Christ Jesus")).

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

Exodus 8:8

Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, Intreat the LORD, that he may take away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice unto the LORD.

Numbers 21:7

Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.

Job 42:8

Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you [after your] folly, in that ye have not spoken of me [the thing which is] right, like my servant Job.

James 5:16

Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

1 Samuel 12:23

Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:

Exodus 10:17

Now therefore forgive, I pray thee, my sin only this once, and intreat the LORD your God, that he may take away from me this death only.

Exodus 12:32

Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also.