Acts 8:24

Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

Word-by-Word Analysis

ἀποκριθεὶς

G611

answered

to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)

δὲ

G1161

Then

but, and, etc

ὁ

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Σίμων

G4613

Simon

simon (i.e., shimon), the name of nine israelites

εἶπεν

G2036

and said

to speak or say (by word or writing)

Δεήθητε

G1189

Pray

to beg (as binding oneself), i.e., petition

ὑμεῖς

G5210

you (as subjective of verb)

ὑπὲρ

G5228

for

"over", i.e., (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case super

ἐμοῦ

G1700

of me

#10

πρὸς

G4314

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,

#11

τὸν

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#12

κύριον

G2962

the Lord

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

#13

ὅπως

G3704

that

what(-ever) how, i.e., in the manner that (as adverb or conjunction of coincidence, intentional or actual)

#14

μηδὲν

G3367

none of these things

not even one (man, woman, thing)

#15

ἐπέλθῃ

G1904

come

to supervene, i.e., arrive, occur, impend, attack, (figuratively) influence

#16

ἐπ'

G1909

upon

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

#17

ἐμὲ

G1691

#18

ὧν

G3739

which

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

#19

εἰρήκατε

G2046

ye have spoken

an alternate for g2036 in certain tenses; to utter, i.e., speak or say

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Acts Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine sovereignty address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
How does this verse's literary context within Acts chapter 8 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?

Related Resources

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People

Peter
Paul