Acts 8
Saul Persecutes the Church
1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. References Jerusalem: Acts 1:8, 8:14. Parallel theme: Acts 5:33, 5:40, 7:58, 8:4, 9:31, 22:20, John 15:20 +4
2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.
3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. Parallel theme: Acts 7:58, 9:21, 22:19, 1 Corinthians 15:9, Galatians 1:13, Philippians 3:6, 1 Timothy 1:13 +2
Philip Preaches in Samaria
4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. Word: Acts 11:19, 15:35. Parallel theme: Acts 8:1, Matthew 10:23, 1 Thessalonians 2:2
5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. Spirit: Acts 5:16, Matthew 10:1, Hebrews 2:4
8 And there was great joy in that city.
9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: Parallel theme: Acts 5:36, 8:11, 13:6, Exodus 7:11, 7:22, Leviticus 20:6, John 7:18 +2
10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. Parallel theme: Jeremiah 31:34, 2 Peter 2:2, Revelation 13:3
11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the wordWord: λόγος (Logos). The Greek Logos (Λόγος) means word, reason, or message—the rational principle underlying reality. John identifies Christ as the eternal Logos: 'In the beginning was the Word' (John 1:1). of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: References God: 1 Thessalonians 3:2. Word: 1 Thessalonians 2:13. References Jerusalem: Acts 8:1. References John: Galatians 2:9
15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: Holy: Acts 2:38
16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Baptism: Acts 2:38. Parallel theme: Acts 19:2, Matthew 28:19
17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. Holy: Acts 2:4, 8:18, 9:17, 19:6. Spirit: Numbers 27:18, Romans 1:11. Parallel theme: Acts 6:6, 2 Timothy 1:6, Hebrews 6:2 +4
18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Parallel theme: 2 Kings 8:9, Matthew 10:8, 1 Timothy 6:5
19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of GodGod: Θεός (Theos). The Greek Theos (Θεός) refers to deity, used both for the one true God and false gods. Context determines whether it denotes the Father specifically or the Godhead generally. may be purchased with money. References God: Acts 8:22, 11:17. References Peter: Acts 2:38, 10:45. Parallel theme: Isaiah 55:1, Daniel 5:17, Zechariah 5:4, Matthew 10:8, James 5:3, Revelation 18:15 +5
21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. References God: Psalms 36:1, Revelation 20:6, 22:19. Parallel theme: Joshua 22:25, 2 Chronicles 25:2, Habakkuk 2:4, John 21:17, Hebrews 4:13, Revelation 2:23 +4
22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. References God: Acts 8:20, Hebrews 4:12. Repentance: Acts 2:38, 3:19, 17:30, Jonah 3:9, Romans 2:4, Revelation 2:21. Prayer: Acts 9:11. Parallel theme: Daniel 4:27 +5
23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. Sin: Proverbs 5:22, John 8:34. Parallel theme: Isaiah 58:6, Hebrews 12:15
24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the LordLord: Κύριος (Kurios). The Greek Kurios (Κύριος) means 'lord' or 'master,' used both for human masters and divinely for God the Father and Jesus Christ. Its application to Jesus affirms His deity, as it translates YHWH in the Septuagint. for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.
25 And they, when they had testified and preached the wordWord: λόγος (Logos). The Greek Logos (Λόγος) means word, reason, or message—the rational principle underlying reality. John identifies Christ as the eternal Logos: 'In the beginning was the Word' (John 1:1). of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.
Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch
26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.
27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, Worship: John 12:20. Parallel theme: Psalms 68:31, 87:4, Jeremiah 38:7, Zephaniah 3:10, Matthew 12:42
28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. Prophecy: Acts 28:25. Parallel theme: Colossians 3:16
29 Then the SpiritSpirit: πνεῦμα (Pneuma). The Greek pneuma (πνεῦμα) means spirit, wind, or breath—the immaterial aspect of persons. The Holy Spirit (Pneuma Hagion) is the third person of the Trinity, dwelling in believers. said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. Spirit: Acts 10:19, 11:12
30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? Parallel theme: Ecclesiastes 9:10, Matthew 13:19, 13:23, 15:10, John 5:39, Ephesians 5:17
31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
32 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:
33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.
34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophetProphet: προφήτης (Prophētēs). The Greek prophētēs (προφήτης) denotes a prophet—one who speaks forth God's message. Jesus was recognized as 'a prophet mighty in deed and word' (Luke 24:19), fulfilling and surpassing the prophetic office. this? of himself, or of some other man? Parallel theme: Matthew 13:36, 15:15
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believeBelieve: πιστεύω (Pisteuo). The Greek pisteuo (πιστεύω) means to believe or trust—active reliance upon Christ. 'For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish' (John 3:16). that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the LordLord: Κύριος (Kurios). The Greek Kurios (Κύριος) means 'lord' or 'master,' used both for human masters and divinely for God the Father and Jesus Christ. Its application to Jesus affirms His deity, as it translates YHWH in the Septuagint. caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. Spirit: 1 Kings 18:12, 2 Kings 2:16, Ezekiel 8:3, 11:1, 11:24, 43:5, Mark 1:10 +2
40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea. Parallel theme: Acts 10:1, 21:8, 23:23, 23:33, 25:4, 1 Samuel 5:1