Acts 8:35

Authorized King James Version

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Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

Original Language Analysis

ἀνοίξας opened G455
ἀνοίξας opened
Strong's: G455
Word #: 1 of 17
to open up (literally or figuratively, in various applications)
δὲ Then G1161
δὲ Then
Strong's: G1161
Word #: 2 of 17
but, and, etc
ὁ G3588
ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 3 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Φίλιππος Philip G5376
Φίλιππος Philip
Strong's: G5376
Word #: 4 of 17
fond of horses; philippus, the name of four israelites
τὸ G3588
τὸ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 5 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
στόμα mouth G4750
στόμα mouth
Strong's: G4750
Word #: 6 of 17
the mouth (as if a gash in the face); by implication, language (and its relations); figuratively, an opening (in the earth); specially, the front or e
αὐτῷ unto him G846
αὐτῷ unto him
Strong's: G846
Word #: 7 of 17
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
καὶ and G2532
καὶ and
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 8 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀρξάμενος began G756
ἀρξάμενος began
Strong's: G756
Word #: 9 of 17
to commence (in order of time)
ἀπὸ at G575
ἀπὸ at
Strong's: G575
Word #: 10 of 17
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τῆς G3588
τῆς
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 11 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γραφῆς scripture G1124
γραφῆς scripture
Strong's: G1124
Word #: 12 of 17
a document, i.e., holy writ (or its contents or a statement in it)
ταύτης G3778
ταύτης
Strong's: G3778
Word #: 13 of 17
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
εὐηγγελίσατο and preached G2097
εὐηγγελίσατο and preached
Strong's: G2097
Word #: 14 of 17
to announce good news ("evangelize") especially the gospel
αὐτῷ unto him G846
αὐτῷ unto him
Strong's: G846
Word #: 15 of 17
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 G3588
τὸν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 16 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦν Jesus G2424
Ἰησοῦν Jesus
Strong's: G2424
Word #: 17 of 17
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

Analysis & Commentary

Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus—Philip's evangelistic method demonstrates Christ-centered Old Testament interpretation. Beginning with Isaiah 53's suffering servant passage (vv.32-33), Philip showed how Jesus fulfilled this prophecy. The Greek 'euēngelisato' (preached good news) indicates Philip declared Christ's death, resurrection, and salvific significance. Began at the same scripture models contextual evangelism—starting where the seeker is, then leading to Christ. This exemplifies Jesus' post-resurrection exposition (Luke 24:27) and Paul's hermeneutic that all Scripture testifies to Christ.

Historical Context

Philip, one of the seven deacons (6:5), was conducting evangelistic ministry in Samaria when the Spirit directed him to intercept the Ethiopian eunuch's chariot on the Gaza road. The eunuch, likely a God-fearer (Gentile attracted to Judaism), was reading Isaiah's scroll—an expensive possession indicating wealth and religious devotion. His question 'of whom speaketh the prophet?' (v.34) opened the door for Philip's gospel presentation.

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