Acts 8:20
But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
Original Language Analysis
Πέτρος
Peter
G4074
Πέτρος
Peter
Strong's:
G4074
Word #:
1 of 22
a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
4 of 22
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,
αὐτόν
him
G846
αὐτόν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 22
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
Τὸ
G3588
Τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀργύριόν
money
G694
ἀργύριόν
money
Strong's:
G694
Word #:
7 of 22
silvery, i.e., (by implication) cash; specially, a silverling (i.e., drachma or shekel)
σὺν
with
G4862
σὺν
with
Strong's:
G4862
Word #:
9 of 22
with or together (but much closer than g3326 or g3844), i.e., by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, additi
εἰς
G1519
εἰς
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
12 of 22
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
ἀπώλειαν
G684
ὅτι
because
G3754
ὅτι
because
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
14 of 22
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
of God
G2316
θεοῦ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
18 of 22
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ἐνόμισας
thou hast thought
G3543
ἐνόμισας
thou hast thought
Strong's:
G3543
Word #:
19 of 22
properly, to do by law (usage), i.e., to accustom (passively, be usual); by extension, to deem or regard
διὰ
with
G1223
διὰ
with
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
20 of 22
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
Cross References
Matthew 10:8Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.Daniel 5:17Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation.Acts 2:38Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.Revelation 18:15The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,Acts 8:22Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.James 5:3Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.Isaiah 55:1Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.Acts 10:45And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.Acts 11:17Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?Zechariah 5:4I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.
Historical Context
This confrontation occurred in Samaria circa AD 33-35. Peter's harsh words echo Jesus' pronouncements against those who commodify religion (Matthew 21:12-13). The early church maintained this principle against selling spiritual benefits.
Questions for Reflection
- Why is attempting to purchase God's gifts such a serious offense?
- How does the free grace of God confront all forms of religious commerce?
- In what ways do modern religious practices commodify spiritual gifts?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Peter's severe pronouncement - 'thy money perish with thee' - is a curse upon Simon's presumption. The Greek is strong: 'may you and your money go to destruction.' Peter rebukes the fundamental error of thinking God's gift can be purchased with money. Reformed theology emphasizes grace as absolutely free and unmerited - any attempt to buy, earn, or merit salvation or spiritual gifts perverts the gospel. Peter's rebuke establishes that the Spirit is God's sovereign gift, not man's commodity. The severity warns against mercenary religion.