Acts 8:32

KJV

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:

KJV (with Strong's)

{G1161} The place {G4042} of the scripture {G1124} which {G3739} he read {G314} was {G2258} this {G3778}, He was led {G71} as {G5613} a sheep {G4263} to {G1909} the slaughter {G4967}; and {G2532} like {G5613} a lamb {G286} dumb {G880} before {G1726} his {G846} shearer {G2751}, so {G3779} opened he {G455} not {G3756} his {G846} mouth {G4750}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Now the portion of the Tanakh that he was reading was this:

“He was like a sheep led to be slaughtered;
like a lamb silent before the shearer, he does not open his mouth.

Berean Standard Bible

The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so He did not open His mouth.

American Standard Version

Now the passage of the scripture which he was reading was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before his shearer is dumb, So he openeth not his mouth:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 8:32 records the pivotal Old Testament passage from Isaiah 53:7 that the Ethiopian eunuch was reading when Philip encountered him. This verse profoundly describes the Suffering Servant, foretelling the Messiah's willing submission to unjust suffering and silent endurance, thereby laying the groundwork for Philip's explanation of Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of this ancient prophecy.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within the remarkable narrative of Philip's divinely orchestrated encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch in [Acts 8:26-40](/acts/8-26-40 "Acts 8:26-40 - Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch"). Following the persecution in Jerusalem and the revival in Samaria, Philip is directed by the Holy Spirit to a desert road. He finds the eunuch, a high-ranking official, reading from the scroll of Isaiah. The eunuch's inability to understand the text prompts Philip's invitation to explain, making this verse the very heart of their theological discussion and the catalyst for the eunuch's conversion and baptism.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Ethiopian eunuch's journey to Jerusalem for worship indicates he was a proselyte or a "God-fearer," a Gentile who adhered to Jewish monotheism and practices. As a eunuch, he would have been excluded from full participation in the Israelite assembly according to [Deuteronomy 23:1](/deuteronomy/23-1 "Deuteronomy 23:1 - Exclusion from the Assembly"), yet he sought God. His possession of a scroll of Isaiah, a significant and costly item, speaks to his wealth and earnest spiritual pursuit. The act of reading aloud while traveling was common in ancient times, allowing Philip to hear the specific passage. This setting highlights the global reach of the Gospel, extending beyond Jewish boundaries to a devout Gentile from the ends of the earth.
* **Key Themes:** The passage from Isaiah 53, quoted here, introduces several crucial themes. Foremost is **Prophecy and Fulfillment**, demonstrating how the Old Testament meticulously foreshadows the person and work of Jesus Christ. The imagery of the "sheep" and "lamb" emphasizes **Sacrifice and Atonement**, pointing to Jesus as the ultimate sacrificial offering for sin, a theme deeply rooted in Old Testament sacrificial systems. Furthermore, the eunuch's need for interpretation and Philip's immediate response highlight **Divine Guidance and Evangelism**, illustrating the Holy Spirit's active role in leading believers to those ready to hear the Gospel and providing the necessary understanding of God's Word. This encounter also underscores the **Universality of the Gospel**, showing God's desire to save people from every nation, as foreshadowed in [Isaiah 49:6](/isaiah/49-6 "Isaiah 49:6 - A Light to the Gentiles").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **scripture (Greek, _graphḗ'_):** From G1124, meaning "a document, i.e., holy Writ (or its contents or a statement in it)." In this context, it specifically refers to a passage from the sacred writings of the Old Testament, emphasizing its divine origin and authoritative nature. The eunuch was engaging with God's revealed truth.
* **lamb (Greek, _amnós'_):** From G286, meaning "a lamb." This word carries immense theological weight, immediately evoking imagery of innocence, sacrifice, and purity within the biblical tradition. It points directly to the sacrificial system of the Old Covenant and, prophetically, to the ultimate atoning sacrifice of Christ.
* **dumb (Greek, _áphōnos'_):** From G880, meaning "voiceless, i.e., mute (by nature or choice); figuratively, unmeaning." Here, it signifies a deliberate silence or inability to speak, emphasizing the lack of protest or self-defense from the lamb (and, by extension, from the one it symbolizes). It highlights a profound, voluntary submission rather than a lack of intelligence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The place of the scripture which he read was this,"**: This opening clause sets the scene, identifying the specific text from the Hebrew Scriptures that captivated the eunuch's attention. It underscores the importance of the Old Testament as a foundation for understanding the New Testament's message about Jesus.
* **"He was led as a sheep to the slaughter;"**: This vivid simile, directly from [Isaiah 53:7a](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - The Suffering Servant Led to Slaughter"), portrays the subject's passive and unresisting journey towards death. Like a sheep, which does not fight back when led to be killed, the individual accepts his fate without struggle, highlighting profound meekness and submission.
* **"and like a lamb dumb before his shearer,"**: This second simile, from [Isaiah 53:7b](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - The Silent Lamb Before Its Shearer"), further elaborates on the subject's silent endurance. A lamb, even when being shorn (a process that can be uncomfortable or painful), typically remains quiet. The term "dumb" (áphōnos) emphasizes a profound, voluntary silence, a refusal to open the mouth in protest or self-defense.
* **"so opened he not his mouth:"**: This concluding statement reiterates and confirms the profound silence and lack of resistance described in the preceding similes. It is a powerful affirmation of the subject's complete submission and willingness to endure suffering without complaint or argument, despite facing injustice.

#### Literary Devices
Acts 8:32 is rich in **Simile**, using "as a sheep" and "like a lamb" to draw direct comparisons between the Suffering Servant and sacrificial animals. This powerful imagery evokes the Old Testament sacrificial system, immediately signaling a connection to atonement and substitution. The entire verse functions as a direct **Quotation** of ancient **Prophecy** from Isaiah 53:7, demonstrating the New Testament's reliance on and fulfillment of Old Testament texts. The repeated emphasis on silence ("dumb," "opened he not his mouth") employs **Repetition** to underscore the profound meekness and non-resistance of the figure described. Furthermore, the "sheep" and "lamb" serve as potent **Symbolism**, representing innocence, vulnerability, and a willingness to be sacrificed, all of which are central to the Christian understanding of Jesus's mission.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, a direct quotation of Isaiah 53:7, stands as a profound theological bridge between the Old and New Testaments. It encapsulates the core Christian doctrine of substitutionary atonement, portraying the Messiah not as a conquering king but as a suffering servant who willingly endures injustice and death for the sake of others. The silence of the "lamb" signifies a profound act of submission to God's will and a refusal to defend Himself, even when innocent, thereby fulfilling divine prophecy and demonstrating unparalleled humility and obedience. This passage is central to understanding the nature of Christ's sacrifice and the means by which humanity's sin is addressed.

* [Isaiah 53:4-6](/isaiah/53-4-6 "Isaiah 53:4-6 - The Suffering Servant's Atonement")
* [1 Peter 2:21-24](/1_peter/2-21-24 "1 Peter 2:21-24 - Christ Our Example in Suffering")
* [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The Ethiopian eunuch's encounter with this scripture, and his subsequent conversion, offers profound lessons for believers today. It highlights the indispensable role of the Holy Spirit in illuminating God's Word and the importance of humble receptivity to divine truth. Just as the eunuch needed Philip to explain the text, we often require the guidance of the Spirit and the insights of fellow believers or teachers to fully grasp the depths of Scripture. Christ's silent suffering and willing submission, as foreshadowed in Isaiah and perfectly embodied in His passion, provide a powerful example for us to follow. In moments of injustice, opposition, or hardship, we are called to emulate His patient endurance, trusting in God's sovereign plan rather than retaliating or seeking self-vindication. This passage also reinforces the absolute reliability of God's prophetic word, strengthening our faith in the divine inspiration and coherence of the Bible, which meticulously points to Jesus as the central figure of salvation history.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of the "sheep to the slaughter" and "lamb dumb before his shearer" challenge your understanding of strength and power?**
* **In what areas of your life are you called to exercise silent submission or patient endurance, following Christ's example?**
* **How does this passage encourage you to seek understanding of Scripture, and to be open to receiving guidance from others?**

### FAQ

**Why was the Ethiopian eunuch reading Isaiah 53?**

Answer: The text does not explicitly state why the eunuch chose Isaiah 53. However, given his journey to Jerusalem for worship, it indicates a deep spiritual hunger and a desire to understand God's Word. Isaiah, particularly chapters 40-55 (often called the "Book of Comfort" or "Second Isaiah"), contains profound prophecies about God's deliverance and the coming Messiah. It's plausible that he was simply reading through the scroll he possessed, or perhaps he was drawn to this particular passage due to its unique and compelling description of a suffering figure, which would have been perplexing without the key of Christ. His immediate question to Philip, "About whom, pray, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?" ([Acts 8:34](/acts/8-34 "Acts 8:34 - Eunuch's Question to Philip")), confirms his earnest desire for understanding.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 8:32, by quoting [Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - The Suffering Servant Prophecy"), presents a profound Christ-centered fulfillment. The "sheep" led to slaughter and the "lamb" silent before its shearer are not merely metaphors but prophetic descriptions that find their perfect embodiment in Jesus Christ. During His trials before Caiaphas, Herod, and Pilate, Jesus remained largely silent, refusing to defend Himself against false accusations, just as prophesied ([Matthew 27:12-14](/matthew/27-12-14 "Matthew 27:12-14 - Jesus's Silence Before Pilate"); [Mark 14:61](/mark/14-61 "Mark 14:61 - Jesus's Silence Before the High Priest")). This silence was not born of weakness, but of a deliberate, sovereign choice to submit to the Father's will and fulfill His redemptive purpose, becoming the ultimate sacrifice for sin. As [John the Baptist declared](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), Jesus is "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" His voluntary suffering, silent endurance, and sacrificial death on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")) perfectly align with this ancient prophecy, revealing Him as the Suffering Servant who bore our griefs and carried our sorrows, leading to our salvation and reconciliation with God ([1 Peter 2:24](/1_peter/2-24 "1 Peter 2:24 - By His Wounds We Are Healed")).

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

Isaiah 53:7

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

Isaiah 53:8

He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

1 Peter 2:21

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

1 Peter 2:24

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Jeremiah 51:40

I will bring them down like lambs to the slaughter, like rams with he goats.

Romans 8:36

As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

Jeremiah 11:19

But I [was] like a lamb [or] an ox [that] is brought to the slaughter; and I knew not that they had devised devices against me, [saying], Let us destroy the tree with the fruit thereof, and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be no more remembered.