Acts 8:10
To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.
Original Language Analysis
ᾧ
To whom
G3739
ᾧ
To whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
1 of 16
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
προσεῖχον
gave heed
G4337
προσεῖχον
gave heed
Strong's:
G4337
Word #:
2 of 16
(figuratively) to hold the mind (3563 implied) towards, i.e., pay attention to, be cautious about, apply oneself to, adhere to
ἀπὸ
from
G575
ἀπὸ
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
4 of 16
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
μικροῦ
the least
G3398
μικροῦ
the least
Strong's:
G3398
Word #:
5 of 16
small (in size, quantity, number or (figuratively) dignity)
ἕως
to
G2193
ἕως
to
Strong's:
G2193
Word #:
6 of 16
a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)
Μεγάλη
the great
G3173
Μεγάλη
the great
Strong's:
G3173
Word #:
7 of 16
big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application)
λέγοντες
saying
G3004
λέγοντες
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
8 of 16
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Οὗτός
This man
G3778
Οὗτός
This man
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
9 of 16
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δύναμις
power
G1411
δύναμις
power
Strong's:
G1411
Word #:
12 of 16
force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
of God
G2316
θεοῦ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
14 of 16
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
Cross References
Jeremiah 31:34And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.Revelation 13:3And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.2 Peter 2:2And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
Historical Context
Early church fathers (Justin Martyr, Irenaeus) wrote of Simon Magus as the father of Gnosticism and heresies. Whether this is the same Simon is debated, but his influence was significant enough that Luke records the Samaritans' exalted view of him.
Questions for Reflection
- Why are humans so ready to worship created things rather than the Creator?
- How do false teachers gain influence by claiming divine authority or power?
- What protects believers from deception by those claiming divine status?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The Samaritans called Simon 'the great power of God' - an idolatrous attribution of divine glory to a mere man. This reveals humanity's readiness to worship anything but the true God. The phrase may suggest Simon claimed to be a divine emanation or the manifestation of God's power on earth. From a Reformed perspective, this demonstrates mankind's religious impulse misdirected toward false objects of worship. Only the gospel's power could break this deception and turn hearts to the true God.