Acts 8:34

And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?

And {G1161} the eunuch {G2135} answered {G611} Philip {G5376}, and said {G2036}, I pray {G1189} thee {G4675}, of {G4012} whom {G5101} speaketh {G3004} the prophet {G4396} this {G5124}? of {G4012} himself {G1438}, or {G2228} of {G4012} some {G5100} other man {G2087}?

The eunuch said to Philip, “Here’s my question to you — is the prophet talking about himself or someone else?”

“Tell me,” said the eunuch, “who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?”

And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other?

Commentary

Acts 8:34 captures a pivotal moment in early Christian evangelism, where an earnest seeker of truth directly questions the meaning of a profound Old Testament prophecy. This verse is part of the encounter between Philip the evangelist and a high-ranking Ethiopian official.

Context

This verse immediately follows Philip's divine encounter with an Ethiopian eunuch, a treasury official for Candace, Queen of the Ethiopians. The eunuch was returning from worship in Jerusalem and was engrossed in reading from the prophet Isaiah while traveling in his chariot. Philip, prompted by the Holy Spirit, approached the chariot and overheard him reading. When Philip asked if he understood what he was reading, the eunuch, showing humility and a desire for knowledge, invited Philip to sit with him. The specific passage the eunuch was reading was from Isaiah 53:7-8, which describes a suffering servant led like a sheep to the slaughter.

The eunuch's question, "I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?" is crucial. It reveals his honest struggle with the text and his recognition that the passage had a deeply significant subject, but he couldn't identify him. This open question provided Philip the perfect opportunity to explain the gospel.

Key Themes

  • Divine Guidance and Evangelism: The encounter highlights how God orchestrates events, guiding Philip to a specific individual who was ready to receive the message. This demonstrates the Holy Spirit's active role in missions (Acts 8:29).
  • The Centrality of Christ in Scripture: The eunuch's question points directly to the core of biblical interpretation: that the Old Testament prophecies find their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Philip's subsequent explanation, starting from this very scripture, centered on Jesus (Acts 8:35).
  • Humility in Seeking Truth: Despite his high status and apparent education (he was reading scripture), the eunuch humbly admitted his need for understanding and welcomed Philip's instruction. This openness allowed him to grasp the truth.

Linguistic Insights

The term "eunuch" (Greek: eunouchos) here refers to a court official, often castrated, though it could also denote simply a high-ranking officer. In Jewish law, a castrated person was excluded from the assembly of the Lord (Deuteronomy 23:1). However, the prophet Isaiah himself foretold a time when eunuchs who kept God's covenant would receive a better name and a place in God's house (Isaiah 56:4-5). This Ethiopian official's conversion signifies the breaking down of barriers in the early church, welcoming all into the new covenant.

Practical Application

This passage reminds us of several important truths. First, earnest engagement with scripture, even when parts are unclear, is commendable. Second, God often uses others to help us understand His Word; we should be open to guidance. Third, the entire Bible, from prophecy to history, ultimately points to Jesus Christ and His redemptive work. Like the eunuch, we are invited to seek understanding and embrace the good news of salvation through Christ, recognizing that the Scriptures testify of Him.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 15:15 (4 votes)

    Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable.

  • Matthew 13:36 (3 votes)

    Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.

  • Matthew 2:2 (2 votes)

    Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

  • Matthew 2:4 (2 votes)

    And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.