Acts 8:14
Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
Original Language Analysis
τὸν
which
G3588
τὸν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἱεροσολύμοις
Jerusalem
G2414
Ἱεροσολύμοις
Jerusalem
Strong's:
G2414
Word #:
5 of 21
hierosolyma (i.e., jerushalaim), the capitol of palestine
ἀπόστολοι
when the apostles
G652
ἀπόστολοι
when the apostles
Strong's:
G652
Word #:
6 of 21
a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the gospel; officially a commissioner of christ ("apostle") (with miraculous powers)
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
7 of 21
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
δέδεκται
had received
G1209
δέδεκται
had received
Strong's:
G1209
Word #:
8 of 21
to receive (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
τὸν
which
G3588
τὸν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Σαμάρεια
Samaria
G4540
Σαμάρεια
Samaria
Strong's:
G4540
Word #:
10 of 21
samaria (i.e., shomeron), a city and region of palestine
τὸν
which
G3588
τὸν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λόγον
the word
G3056
λόγον
the word
Strong's:
G3056
Word #:
12 of 21
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
τὸν
which
G3588
τὸν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
of God
G2316
θεοῦ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
14 of 21
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ἀπέστειλαν
they sent
G649
ἀπέστειλαν
they sent
Strong's:
G649
Word #:
15 of 21
set apart, i.e., (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
16 of 21
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
αὐτοὺς
them
G846
αὐτοὺς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
17 of 21
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τὸν
which
G3588
τὸν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Πέτρον
Peter
G4074
Πέτρον
Peter
Strong's:
G4074
Word #:
19 of 21
a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle
Cross References
1 Thessalonians 3:2And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:1 Thessalonians 2:13For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.Acts 8:1And 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.Galatians 2:9And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
Historical Context
Jerusalem remained the mother church and center of apostolic authority in Christianity's early years. This sending of apostles parallels Jesus' practice of confirming and authorizing new ministry (Luke 10:1). Peter and John had once wanted to call down fire on Samaritans (Luke 9:54) - now they brought the Spirit's fire.
Questions for Reflection
- What role should church authority and oversight play in new ministry ventures?
- How does apostolic confirmation of Samaria's conversion demonstrate church unity?
- Why was it crucial that the apostles personally validated the Samaritan mission?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The apostles in Jerusalem heard of Samaria's reception of God's word and sent Peter and John to investigate and confirm. This demonstrates apostolic oversight and the unity of the early church. The Samaritan mission was too important to proceed without apostolic validation, given the historic Jewish-Samaritan divide. Reformed theology sees the importance of church order and oversight - new works should be examined and confirmed by established leadership. The apostles' involvement ensured the Samaritan church began on sound doctrinal foundation.