Acts 8:5
Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
Original Language Analysis
Φίλιππος
Philip
G5376
Φίλιππος
Philip
Strong's:
G5376
Word #:
1 of 11
fond of horses; philippus, the name of four israelites
εἰς
to
G1519
εἰς
to
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
4 of 11
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
πόλιν
the city
G4172
πόλιν
the city
Strong's:
G4172
Word #:
5 of 11
a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 11
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Σαμαρείας
of Samaria
G4540
Σαμαρείας
of Samaria
Strong's:
G4540
Word #:
7 of 11
samaria (i.e., shomeron), a city and region of palestine
ἐκήρυσσεν
and preached
G2784
ἐκήρυσσεν
and preached
Strong's:
G2784
Word #:
8 of 11
to herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth (the gospel)
αὐτοῖς
unto them
G846
αὐτοῖς
unto them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
9 of 11
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
Cross References
Acts 6:5And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:Acts 21:8And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.Acts 8:40But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.Acts 5:42And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.1 Corinthians 3:11For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.1 Corinthians 1:23But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
Historical Context
Samaritans were descendants of Israelites who intermarried with foreign colonists after the Assyrian conquest (722 BC). They worshiped Yahweh but had their own temple on Mount Gerizim and accepted only the Pentateuch. The centuries-old animosity made Philip's mission remarkable.
Questions for Reflection
- What cultural or ethnic barriers does the gospel call us to cross today?
- How does Philip's obedience challenge our prejudices and comfort zones?
- What does it mean to 'preach Christ' in contexts different from our own?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Philip (one of the seven deacons, Acts 6:5) went to Samaria preaching Christ. This was revolutionary - Jews avoided Samaritans due to ethnic and religious hostility. Philip's ministry fulfilled Jesus' command to be witnesses 'in Samaria' (Acts 1:8) and broke down the middle wall of partition. Reformed theology sees the gospel's power to overcome cultural barriers and human prejudice. Philip preached 'Christ' - the Messiah both Jews and Samaritans expected, though with different understandings. The gospel creates unity across ethnic divisions.