Acts 8:39

And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.

And {G1161} when {G3753} they were come up {G305} out of {G1537} the water {G5204}, the Spirit {G4151} of the Lord {G2962} caught away {G726} Philip {G5376},{G2532} that the eunuch {G2135} saw {G1492}{G3756} him {G846} no more {G3765}: and {G1063} he went {G4198} on his {G846} way {G3598} rejoicing {G5463}.

When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away. The eunuch saw no more of him, because he continued on his way โ€” full of joy.

When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, but went on his way rejoicing.

And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip; and the eunuch saw him no more, for he went on his way rejoicing.

Commentary

Acts 8:39 describes a remarkable and supernatural moment immediately following the baptism of the Ethiopian eunuch by Philip. After fulfilling his divine mission, Philip is miraculously transported away by the Holy Spirit, leaving the eunuch to continue his journey with profound joy, a testament to his new faith.

Context

This verse concludes the narrative of Philip's divinely orchestrated encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch. Philip, led by an angel and then the Spirit, met the eunuch on the road from Jerusalem to Gaza. The eunuch was reading from the prophet Isaiah, specifically Isaiah 53:7-8, a passage foretelling the suffering servant. Philip seized the opportunity to explain how this prophecy pointed to Jesus Christ. After hearing the gospel, the eunuch expressed his faith and, seeing water, immediately requested to be baptized, leading to the pivotal moment in Acts 8:38.

Key Themes

  • Divine Guidance and Supernatural Intervention: The verse vividly demonstrates the active role of the Holy Spirit in guiding and empowering God's servants. Philip's sudden disappearance is not merely coincidental but a direct act of the "Spirit of the Lord," signifying God's sovereign control over evangelistic efforts and the movements of His messengers. This highlights the supernatural dimension of early Christian ministry.
  • The Power and Presence of the Holy Spirit: The phrase "the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip" underscores the Holy Spirit's ability to transcend natural limitations for divine purposes. This divine transportation was not an act of Philip's will but a powerful intervention by the Spirit, repositioning him for further ministry, as seen in Acts 8:40.
  • Joy in Salvation: The eunuch's reactionโ€”"he went on his way rejoicing"โ€”is a powerful testimony to the transformative power of the gospel. His joy was not dependent on Philip's continued presence but stemmed from his personal encounter with Christ through the word and baptism. This joy is a characteristic fruit of genuine salvation and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, echoing themes found elsewhere, such as the joy in heaven over one sinner who repents.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "caught away" is harpazล (แผฯฯ€ฮฌฮถฯ‰). This term implies a sudden, forceful, or swift snatching or carrying away. It suggests an irresistible, divine action, not a gradual departure or Philip's own choice. It emphasizes the miraculous nature of Philip's relocation, reinforcing that it was an act of God's sovereign power.

Practical Application

Acts 8:39 offers several enduring lessons for believers today:

  • Trust in God's Leading: Just as Philip was led by the Spirit and then miraculously moved, we are called to trust God's guidance in our lives and ministries, even when His ways are unexpected or beyond our understanding.
  • The Completeness of Salvation: The eunuch's immediate and lasting joy, despite Philip's sudden departure, illustrates that true salvation is a complete and personal experience rooted in Christ, not dependent on human intermediaries. Once the gospel is received and faith is exercised, the joy of salvation is abiding.
  • The Holy Spirit's Work Continues: The Holy Spirit continues to work powerfully today, convicting, guiding, empowering, and transforming lives. While dramatic physical transportations may be rare, the Spirit's active presence in the believer's life and in the church is a constant reality.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 18:12

    And it shall come to pass, [as soon as] I am gone from thee, that the Spirit of the LORD shall carry thee whither I know not; and [so] when I come and tell Ahab, and he cannot find thee, he shall slay me: but I thy servant fear the LORD from my youth.

  • 2 Kings 2:16

    And they said unto him, Behold now, there be with thy servants fifty strong men; let them go, we pray thee, and seek thy master: lest peradventure the Spirit of the LORD hath taken him up, and cast him upon some mountain, or into some valley. And he said, Ye shall not send.

  • Ezekiel 8:3

    And he put forth the form of an hand, and took me by a lock of mine head; and the spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heaven, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the inner gate that looketh toward the north; where [was] the seat of the image of jealousy, which provoketh to jealousy.

  • Ezekiel 11:24

    Afterwards the spirit took me up, and brought me in a vision by the Spirit of God into Chaldea, to them of the captivity. So the vision that I had seen went up from me.

  • Ezekiel 11:1

    ยถ Moreover the spirit lifted me up, and brought me unto the east gate of the LORD'S house, which looketh eastward: and behold at the door of the gate five and twenty men; among whom I saw Jaazaniah the son of Azur, and Pelatiah the son of Benaiah, princes of the people.

  • Ezekiel 43:5

    So the spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court; and, behold, the glory of the LORD filled the house.

  • Ezekiel 3:12

    Then the spirit took me up, and I heard behind me a voice of a great rushing, [saying], Blessed [be] the glory of the LORD from his place.