Acts 8:40

KJV

But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} Philip {G5376} was found {G2147} at {G1519} Azotus {G108}: and {G2532} passing {G1330} through he preached {G2097} in all {G3956} the cities {G4172}, till {G2193} he {G846} came {G2064} to {G1519} Caesarea {G2542}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But Philip showed up at Ashdod and continued proclaiming the Good News as he went through all the towns until he came to Caesarea.

Berean Standard Bible

But Philip appeared at Azotus and traveled through that region, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he came to Caesarea.

American Standard Version

But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached the gospel to all the cities, till he came to Cæsarea.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 8:40 concludes a significant episode in Philip's ministry, detailing his miraculous relocation by the Holy Spirit from the desert road where he baptized the Ethiopian eunuch to Azotus, a coastal city. From this new starting point, Philip embarked on an extensive evangelistic journey, systematically preaching the Gospel in every city he encountered along the Mediterranean coast until he arrived at Caesarea. This verse powerfully illustrates divine guidance, Philip's unwavering commitment to proclaiming the good news, and the geographical expansion of the early Christian message into new territories.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as a concluding statement to the remarkable narrative of Philip's encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch in [Acts 8:26-39](/acts/8-26-39 "Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch"). Immediately following the eunuch's baptism and the Spirit's supernatural "snatching away" of Philip, the text succinctly describes Philip's reappearance in Azotus and his subsequent missionary endeavors. It transitions from a focused, individual evangelistic act to a broader, regional evangelistic campaign, setting the stage for the continued expansion of the Gospel beyond Jerusalem and Judea, foreshadowing Peter's ministry in [Acts 9](/acts/9 "Acts 9 - Saul's Conversion and Peter's Ministry") and the eventual Gentile mission.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Azotus (ancient Ashdod) was one of the five major Philistine cities, located on the Mediterranean coast between Gaza and Joppa. It was a significant regional center with a long history, including being a stronghold against Israel. Caesarea Maritima, Philip's destination, was a prominent Roman port city, built by Herod the Great, and served as the administrative capital of Judea. Its strategic location, diverse population of Jews and Gentiles, and bustling commercial activity made it an ideal hub for the spread of the Gospel. Philip's journey along this coastal route signifies the penetration of the Christian message into areas that were culturally distinct from the Jewish heartland, laying groundwork for the broader Gentile mission.
* **Key Themes:** [Acts 8:40](/acts/8-40 "Acts 8:40 - Philip's Journey and Evangelism") encapsulates several overarching themes prevalent in the book of Acts. Firstly, it powerfully demonstrates **Divine Direction and Supernatural Intervention**, as the Holy Spirit actively guides and transports Philip, ensuring the Gospel reaches strategic locations. This echoes the Spirit's role throughout Acts, from empowering the apostles in [Acts 2](/acts/2 "Acts 2 - Pentecost and the Spirit's Outpouring") to directing missionary journeys. Secondly, it highlights **Relentless Evangelism**, showcasing Philip's immediate and continuous proclamation of the good news in every city he passed through. This aligns with the early church's core mission to preach Christ, as exemplified by Peter's sermons in [Acts 3](/acts/3 "Acts 3 - Peter's Sermon and Healing") and [Acts 4](/acts/4 "Acts 4 - Arrest and Boldness"). Lastly, the verse underscores the **Geographical Spread of the Gospel**, illustrating the outward movement of the Christian message from Jerusalem, fulfilling the mandate given by Jesus in [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - The Great Commission"). Philip's journey from Azotus to Caesarea marks a significant step in the Gospel's advance into new, often Gentile, territories.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **found (Greek, _heuriskō'_):** This verb, G2147, means "to find (literally or figuratively); to get, obtain, perceive, see." In this context, especially following the Spirit's miraculous "snatching away" of Philip in the preceding verse, `heuriskō` implies a sudden, unexpected, and divinely orchestrated appearance. Philip did not travel to Azotus by conventional means but was supernaturally deposited there, emphasizing God's active hand in guiding and positioning His servants for His purposes.
* **passing through (Greek, _diérchomai'_):** G1330, meaning "to traverse (literally); to come, depart, go (about, abroad, everywhere, over, through, throughout), pass (by, over, through, throughout), pierce through, travel, walk through." This word describes Philip's active and continuous movement along the coastal route. It signifies a deliberate and systematic journey, not merely a casual transit, but one undertaken with the specific purpose of evangelism in each location.
* **preached (Greek, _euangelízō'_):** G2097, meaning "to announce good news ('evangelize') especially the gospel; to declare, bring (declare, show) glad (good) tidings, preach (the gospel)." This term is central to Philip's identity as "the evangelist" ([Acts 21:8](/acts/21-8 "Acts 21:8 - Philip the Evangelist")). It highlights the core content of his ministry: proclaiming the liberating and life-giving message of Jesus Christ. His preaching was not just sharing information but announcing the transformative good news of salvation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But Philip was found at Azotus:"** This clause immediately follows the miraculous transportation of Philip by the Spirit of the Lord. The word "But" (G1161, _dé_) indicates a transition or a new development. Philip's sudden appearance in Azotus, a Philistine city on the coast, signifies a divine relocation, placing him strategically for the next phase of his ministry. It underscores the supernatural nature of God's guidance in the early church's expansion.
* **"and passing through he preached in all the cities,"** This segment describes Philip's subsequent actions. He did not remain static in Azotus but actively moved along the coastal region. The phrase "passing through" (G1330, _diérchomai_) implies a systematic journey, and "in all the cities" (G3956, _pâs_ G4172, _pólis_) indicates a comprehensive evangelistic effort. Philip was committed to proclaiming the Gospel in every urban center he encountered, demonstrating his zeal and the widespread nature of the early Christian mission.
* **"till he came to Caesarea."** This final clause marks the culmination of Philip's coastal journey. Caesarea Maritima was a major Roman port and the administrative capital of Judea, a strategically important city. Philip would eventually settle there, as indicated in [Acts 21:8](/acts/21-8 "Acts 21:8 - Philip's Home in Caesarea"), making it a significant hub for the Gospel's continued spread, particularly to Gentiles. His arrival there signifies the successful completion of this particular evangelistic leg.

#### Literary Devices
Luke employs several literary devices in [Acts 8:40](/acts/8-40 "Acts 8:40 - Philip's Evangelistic Journey"). The most prominent is **Supernaturalism**, evident in the abrupt and unexplained appearance of Philip in Azotus, which directly follows the Spirit's "snatching away" in the previous verse. This highlights divine intervention as a driving force in the spread of the Gospel, emphasizing that the mission is God's work, not merely human effort. There is also an element of **Geographical Progression**, as the narrative traces Philip's movement along a defined coastal route from Azotus to Caesarea. This linear progression visually represents the expansion of the Gospel message beyond Jerusalem into new territories. Finally, the verse demonstrates **Conciseness** and **Economy of Language**, as Luke summarizes a significant period of extensive evangelistic activity ("preached in all the cities") in a single, compact phrase. This brevity underscores the relentless and widespread nature of Philip's ministry without needing to detail every stop.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 8:40 profoundly illustrates the divine impetus behind the early church's mission and the unwavering commitment of its evangelists. It underscores God's sovereign hand in directing His servants, positioning them precisely where they are needed for the advancement of His kingdom. Philip's immediate and comprehensive evangelism after being supernaturally transported exemplifies the Spirit-empowered zeal that characterized the early believers. This passage reinforces the theme that the Gospel is not confined by geographical or cultural boundaries but is destined to spread to "the uttermost part of the earth" ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - The Great Commission")). It reminds us that God's plan for salvation is actively unfolding through human instruments, guided by His Spirit.

* [Mark 16:15](/mark/16-15 "Mark 16:15 - The Great Commission")
* [Romans 10:14-15](/romans/10-14-15 "Romans 10:14-15 - How Shall They Hear?")
* [1 Corinthians 9:16](/1_corinthians/9-16 "1 Corinthians 9:16 - Woe is Me if I Do Not Preach")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 8:40 calls believers today to a profound reflection on divine guidance and personal availability for God's purposes. Just as Philip was found ready and willing to preach wherever the Spirit led him, we are challenged to cultivate a posture of immediate obedience and surrender. This verse encourages us to trust in God's perfect timing and strategic placement in our lives, recognizing that even unexpected transitions or circumstances can be part of His divine plan to position us for ministry. It reminds us that the call to evangelism is not limited to specific individuals or formal settings but is a continuous mandate for all believers, wherever we are "found." Our lives, like Philip's, should be characterized by a relentless passion to share the good news, understanding that the Gospel is an unstoppable force that God uses to transform lives and expand His kingdom, even through seemingly ordinary journeys.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might God be "finding" or positioning you for ministry in your current circumstances, even if they seem unexpected?**
* **How does Philip's immediate and continuous evangelism challenge your own commitment to sharing the Gospel in your daily life?**
* **What "cities" or spheres of influence has God placed you in where you are called to "preach" or bear witness to His truth?**

### FAQ
**How was Philip "found at Azotus" after baptizing the eunuch?**

Answer: The text in [Acts 8:39](/acts/8-39 "Acts 8:39 - The Spirit Carries Philip Away") states that "the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip." This implies a supernatural transportation, a miraculous act of divine intervention, rather than an ordinary journey. Philip was not found in Azotus because he traveled there by conventional means, but because the Holy Spirit supernaturally deposited him there. This highlights God's direct and active involvement in guiding and empowering His evangelists, strategically positioning them for the next phase of the Gospel's spread. It emphasizes that the mission is ultimately God's, and He can use extraordinary means to accomplish His purposes.

**What was the significance of Philip's journey from Azotus to Caesarea?**

Answer: Philip's journey from Azotus to Caesarea was highly significant for the geographical and demographic expansion of the early church. Azotus (ancient Ashdod) was a historic Philistine city, and Caesarea Maritima was a major Roman port and the administrative capital of Judea, with a diverse population of Jews and Gentiles. By "preaching in all the cities" along this coastal route, Philip was strategically extending the Gospel message beyond the traditional Jewish heartland into areas with significant Gentile populations. This continuous evangelistic effort laid crucial groundwork for the broader Gentile mission that would soon gain momentum, particularly with Peter's ministry to Cornelius in [Acts 10](/acts/10 "Acts 10 - Peter and Cornelius"), who was also based in Caesarea. Philip's journey thus represents a vital step in fulfilling the Great Commission to preach the Gospel "unto the uttermost part of the earth" ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - The Great Commission")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Philip's divinely orchestrated journey and relentless evangelism in [Acts 8:40](/acts/8-40 "Acts 8:40 - Philip's Evangelistic Journey") find their ultimate fulfillment and meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Philip, as an evangelist, is merely an instrument in the greater mission initiated and empowered by Christ Himself. Jesus is the ultimate "good news" (the literal meaning of `euangelízō`), the one whose life, death, and resurrection constitute the very core of the Gospel message Philip preached. Philip's commitment to proclaiming Christ in every city echoes the Lord's own commission for His disciples to go and make disciples of all nations ([Matthew 28:18-20](/matthew/28-18-20 "Matthew 28:18-20 - The Great Commission")). The supernatural guidance Philip experienced by the Spirit is a direct continuation of Christ's promise to send the Helper ([John 14:16](/john/14-16 "John 14:16 - The Promise of the Holy Spirit")) who would empower His followers to do "greater works" ([John 14:12](/john/14-12 "John 14:12 - Greater Works")). Thus, Philip's ministry is a powerful demonstration of the resurrected Christ actively building His church through His Spirit, ensuring that the message of salvation, centered on His atoning work, reaches every corner of the world, just as He commanded in [Luke 24:46-48](/luke/24-46-48 "Luke 24:46-48 - The Necessity of Christ's Suffering and Resurrection").

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

Acts 21:8

¶ And the next [day] we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was [one] of the seven; and abode with him.

Acts 23:33

Who, when they came to Caesarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him.

Acts 10:1

¶ There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian [band],

Acts 23:23

And he called unto [him] two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night;

Acts 25:4

But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly [thither].

1 Samuel 5:1

¶ And the Philistines took the ark of God, and brought it from Ebenezer unto Ashdod.

Acts 12:19

And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that [they] should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and [there] abode.