Acts 8:35

KJV

Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G1161} Philip {G5376} opened {G455} his {G846} mouth {G4750}, and {G2532} began {G756} at {G575} the same {G5026} scripture {G1124}, and preached {G2097} unto him {G846} Jesus {G2424}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then Philip started to speak — beginning with that passage, he went on to tell him the Good News about Yeshua.

Berean Standard Bible

Then Philip began with this very Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.

American Standard Version

And Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this scripture, preached unto him Jesus.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 8:35 captures a pivotal moment in early Christian evangelism, where Philip, guided by the Holy Spirit, encounters an Ethiopian eunuch grappling with a passage from the prophet Isaiah. This verse describes Philip's immediate and profound response: he begins from the very scripture the eunuch was reading and, with clarity and spiritual insight, explains how that ancient text finds its ultimate fulfillment and meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. It beautifully illustrates the Spirit-led, scripture-rooted, and Christ-centered nature of the Gospel message.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 8:35 is the climax of the narrative involving Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch, which begins in [Acts 8:26](/acts/8-26 "Acts 8:26 - Philip Directed to the Desert Road"). Following a successful ministry in Samaria, Philip is divinely directed to a desolate road leading from Jerusalem to Gaza. There, he encounters a high-ranking Ethiopian official, a eunuch, who is returning from worshipping in Jerusalem. The eunuch is engrossed in reading from the prophet Isaiah, specifically [Isaiah 53:7-8](/isaiah/53-7-8 "Isaiah 53:7-8 - The Suffering Servant"). When Philip, prompted by the Spirit, asks if he understands what he is reading, the eunuch humbly admits his need for guidance. This sets the stage for Philip's powerful exposition, making Acts 8:35 the crucial point where the Old Testament prophecy is directly connected to Jesus, leading to the eunuch's conversion and baptism.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Ethiopian eunuch's presence is significant. As a "eunuch," he would have been excluded from full participation in the assembly of the Lord according to [Deuteronomy 23:1](/deuteronomy/23-1 "Deuteronomy 23:1 - Exclusion from the Assembly"). However, his journey to Jerusalem for worship indicates he was a "God-fearer" or a proselyte, a Gentile who embraced aspects of Jewish monotheism but may not have fully converted. His reading of [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant") underscores the widespread influence of Jewish scripture, even among Gentiles, and the common struggle to understand its prophetic elements. The encounter on the road to Gaza, a route connecting Jerusalem to the wider world, symbolizes the Gospel's expansion beyond Jewish boundaries, reaching individuals from distant lands and diverse backgrounds, fulfilling the Great Commission's global mandate.
* **Key Themes:** This pivotal verse powerfully illustrates several key themes central to the book of Acts and Christian theology. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Guidance in Evangelism**, showing God's active role in orchestrating encounters for the spread of the Gospel, as seen in Philip's supernatural direction to the desert road ([Acts 8:26](/acts/8-26 "Acts 8:26 - Philip Directed by an Angel")). Secondly, it underscores the **Scriptural Foundation of the Gospel**, demonstrating how the Old Testament, particularly prophetic passages like [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant"), is not merely historical but points directly to the person and work of Jesus Christ, revealing its true meaning and fulfillment. Finally, and most importantly, it emphasizes the **Centrality of Jesus in the Gospel Message**. Regardless of the starting point—be it a specific scripture or a personal question—the ultimate goal of Christian proclamation is always to preach Jesus—His life, death, resurrection, and saving power ([1 Corinthians 1:23](/1_corinthians/1-23 "1 Corinthians 1:23 - Preaching Christ Crucified")). This encounter foreshadows the universal reach of the Gospel, breaking down barriers and inviting all people into God's redemptive plan.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **opened (Greek, _anoígō'_):** From ἀνά and (to open); to open up (literally or figuratively, in various applications). In this context, it signifies the solemn and deliberate act of beginning a significant discourse or teaching. It's not a casual utterance but the initiation of a weighty and divinely appointed explanation.
* **scripture (Greek, _graphḗ'_):** From γράφω; a document, i.e. holy Writ (or its contents or a statement in it). This term specifically refers to the sacred writings of the Old Testament, emphasizing that Philip's starting point was the inspired Word of God. The eunuch was reading from a scroll of Isaiah, highlighting the authority and divine origin of the text.
* **preached (Greek, _euangelízō'_):** From εὖ and ἄγγελος; to announce good news ("evangelize") especially the gospel. This verb is the root of our word "evangelize" and signifies the proclamation of good news. Here, the "good news" is specifically "Jesus," indicating that the core content of Philip's message was the person and saving work of Christ, the very essence of the Gospel.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then Philip opened his mouth":** This phrase is a common biblical idiom, particularly in the Septuagint and New Testament, signifying the commencement of a formal, significant, or authoritative discourse. It implies a deliberate and weighty utterance, indicating that Philip was about to deliver a crucial message, not just engage in casual conversation. It sets the tone for the profound teaching that follows.
* **"and began at the same scripture":** Philip's evangelistic approach is highly contextual and strategic. He doesn't introduce a new topic but starts precisely where the eunuch is, with the very passage from Isaiah that the eunuch was reading and struggling to understand. This demonstrates the continuity between the Old Testament prophecies and their New Testament fulfillment in Christ, affirming the divine inspiration and coherence of all scripture. It shows how the Old Covenant scriptures are illuminated by the person of Jesus, revealing their true meaning.
* **"and preached unto him Jesus":** This is the climax and essence of the verse. Despite starting with an Old Testament text, the ultimate subject and focus of Philip's message was Jesus Christ. This phrase encapsulates the core of Christian evangelism: the proclamation of Jesus' identity as Messiah, His life, His atoning death, His resurrection, and His saving power. Philip explained how the suffering servant of Isaiah 53 was none other than Jesus, thereby revealing the Gospel's heart and inviting the eunuch to faith.

#### Literary Devices
Acts 8:35 employs several effective literary devices. The phrase "**opened his mouth**" is an **idiom**, signaling the solemn and deliberate initiation of a significant discourse, elevating the importance of Philip's subsequent words. The entire narrative surrounding the eunuch's reading of [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant") and Philip's explanation functions as **typology** or **foreshadowing**, where the Suffering Servant prophecy in the Old Testament is revealed to be a direct prefigurement of Jesus Christ. This creates a powerful sense of divine design and fulfillment. Furthermore, there is an element of **narrative irony** in that a highly educated and influential official, despite his devotion and access to scripture, requires the guidance of a simple evangelist to grasp the profound truths contained within the very text he is reading. This underscores the need for divine illumination and Spirit-empowered teaching to understand God's Word. The passage also demonstrates **thematic parallelism** between the suffering servant of Isaiah and the crucified Christ, establishing a clear link between prophecy and its historical realization.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 8:35 is a profound theological statement on the nature of God's redemptive plan and the method of its proclamation. It unequivocally establishes Jesus Christ as the central interpretive key to understanding the Old Testament. The prophecies, rituals, and historical narratives of the Hebrew Scriptures find their ultimate meaning and fulfillment in Him. This encounter demonstrates that the Gospel is not a new, disconnected narrative but the culmination of God's long-unfolding story of salvation, meticulously prepared through centuries of revelation. It highlights the universal scope of God's grace, reaching beyond ethnic and social boundaries to embrace all who believe. The Holy Spirit's role in guiding Philip and opening the eunuch's understanding is also paramount, underscoring that evangelism is a divine work, not merely a human endeavor.

* [Luke 24:27](/luke/24-27 "Luke 24:27 - Jesus Explains the Scriptures")
* [1 Corinthians 15:3-4](/1_corinthians/15-3-4 "1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - The Core Gospel Message")
* [Romans 10:14](/romans/10-14 "Romans 10:14 - The Necessity of Hearing and Preaching")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 8:35 provides a timeless and powerful model for evangelism and sharing the Christian faith in any generation. It calls believers to be profoundly sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, recognizing that God often orchestrates "divine appointments" where hearts are prepared to hear the Gospel. Like Philip, we are encouraged to meet people where they are, engaging with their questions, their struggles, or even their existing understanding of spiritual matters, as the eunuch was already reading scripture. This requires attentive listening and genuine empathy. Crucially, the passage reminds us that regardless of the starting point, the ultimate message must always be Jesus Christ. He is the answer to humanity's deepest questions, the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan, and the only source of salvation. Our task is to clearly articulate who Jesus is and what He has done, allowing the Holy Spirit to bring conviction and understanding. This encounter challenges us to be both Spirit-led and biblically grounded in our witness, always pointing to the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God prepare hearts for the Gospel in our contemporary world, and how can I be more attuned to His divine appointments?**
* **In what ways can I, like Philip, effectively start conversations about faith from where others are, whether through their interests, questions, or current beliefs?**
* **How can I deepen my understanding of the Old Testament to better articulate how it points to Jesus Christ as its fulfillment?**
* **Is Jesus truly the central focus of my personal witness and conversations about faith?**

### FAQ
**Why did Philip specifically start with the scripture the eunuch was reading?**

Answer: Philip began with the eunuch's current reading from [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant") for several strategic and spiritual reasons. Firstly, it demonstrated respect for the eunuch's existing spiritual pursuit and intellectual curiosity, meeting him precisely at his point of need and confusion. Secondly, it affirmed the continuity of God's revelation. The Old Testament, particularly its prophecies, is not separate from the New Testament but finds its ultimate meaning and fulfillment in Jesus. By starting with Isaiah, Philip showed how the ancient scriptures directly pointed to Christ, providing a solid, authoritative foundation for the Gospel message. This approach also highlighted the divine inspiration of the Old Testament and its relevance to the Christian faith.

**What is the significance of the phrase "opened his mouth" in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "opened his mouth" (Greek: _anoixas to stoma autou_) is a common biblical idiom, particularly in the Septuagint and New Testament, that signals the beginning of a formal, significant, or authoritative discourse. It's not merely stating that Philip started talking, but that he began to speak with solemnity, purpose, and spiritual weight. It often precedes important teachings, prophecies, or declarations, as seen in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount ([Matthew 5:2](/matthew/5-2 "Matthew 5:2 - Jesus Teaches on the Mount")) or Peter's sermon on Pentecost ([Acts 2:14](/acts/2-14 "Acts 2:14 - Peter's Sermon at Pentecost")). In Acts 8:35, it emphasizes that Philip's explanation was a divinely prompted and weighty proclamation of truth.

**Why is it so important that Philip "preached unto him Jesus"?**

Answer: The phrase "preached unto him Jesus" underscores the absolute centrality of Jesus Christ to the Gospel message. Regardless of the starting point—whether it's an Old Testament prophecy, a personal struggle, or a philosophical question—the ultimate answer and focus of Christian evangelism must always be Jesus. Philip didn't just explain Isaiah; he explained how Isaiah's prophecy of the suffering servant was fulfilled in Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. This highlights that salvation is found exclusively in Christ ([Acts 4:12](/acts/4-12 "Acts 4:12 - Salvation in No One Else")), and the good news (the "gospel") is fundamentally about Him. It serves as a timeless model for all who proclaim the Christian faith: Jesus is the core, the content, and the power of our message.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 8:35 stands as a profound testament to the Christ-centered nature of all scripture and the Gospel itself. Philip's encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch, beginning with [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant"), perfectly illustrates how the entire Old Testament points forward to Jesus. The suffering servant, "led like a sheep to the slaughter," finds His ultimate fulfillment in the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Philip's "preaching Jesus" was not an arbitrary theological discourse but the Spirit-empowered unveiling of God's redemptive plan, meticulously woven through centuries of prophecy and culminating in Christ. Just as Jesus Himself explained to His disciples on the road to Emmaus how "beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself" ([Luke 24:27](/luke/24-27 "Luke 24:27 - Jesus Explains Scriptures")), Philip did the same for the eunuch. This passage underscores that Jesus is the interpretive key to all of God's revelation, the one in whom "all the promises of God find their Yes" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises are Yes in Christ")). He is the living Word, the one through whom God has spoken His final and most complete revelation ([Hebrews 1:1-3](/hebrews/1-1-3 "Hebrews 1:1-3 - God Has Spoken Through His Son")), and therefore, He must be the central message of all Christian proclamation.

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

Luke 24:27

And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

Acts 18:28

For he mightily convinced the Jews, [and that] publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.

Acts 28:23

¶ And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into [his] lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and [out of] the prophets, from morning till evening.

Matthew 5:2

And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

1 Corinthians 2:2

For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

Acts 5:42

And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

Acts 17:2

And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,