Acts 8:6
And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
Original Language Analysis
Historical Context
Samaria occupied the region between Judea and Galilee, populated by descendants of Israelites who had intermarried with foreign settlers after the Assyrian conquest (722 BCE). Jews viewed Samaritans as religious and ethnic heretics who worshiped on Mount Gerizim rather than Jerusalem. The animosity was so intense that Jews typically avoided Samaritan territory entirely when traveling between Judea and Galilee.
Philip's ministry represented a revolutionary breakthrough. This was likely Philip the evangelist (one of the seven deacons, Acts 6:5), not Philip the apostle. His preaching followed the scattering of believers after Stephen's martyrdom (Acts 8:1-4), demonstrating how persecution advanced the gospel. The Samaritans' acceptance of the message fulfilled Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman (John 4) and His commission to be witnesses "in Samaria" (Acts 1:8).
The unified response "with one accord" was remarkable given Samaria's history of religious syncretism and the presence of Simon the sorcerer (Acts 8:9-11), who had previously captivated the population. Philip's miracles—casting out demons and healing the paralyzed and lame—authenticated the gospel message and demonstrated God's power over the spiritual forces that had held Samaria captive.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the combination of hearing God's Word and seeing His power work together in authentic gospel witness today?
- What barriers (like the Jewish-Samaritan divide) does the gospel need to cross in our contemporary context?
- How does the phrase 'with one accord' challenge our understanding of genuine spiritual unity versus mere agreement?
- In what ways do we need both the verbal proclamation and the demonstration of God's power in our witness?
- How does Philip's ministry to the Samaritans reflect Jesus' command in Acts 1:8, and what does this mean for cross-cultural mission?
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Analysis & Commentary
And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. This verse captures a pivotal moment in the early church's expansion as Philip the evangelist brings the gospel to Samaria. The phrase "with one accord" (homothumadon, ὁμοθυμαδόν) indicates unanimous, harmonious agreement—a term Luke uses frequently in Acts to describe the unity of believers or seekers responding to God's work.
The verb "gave heed" (prosechō, προσέχω) means to pay close attention, to devote oneself to, or to be absorbed by something. This wasn't casual interest but focused, sustained attention to Philip's preaching. The people's response was twofold: "hearing" (akouō, ἀκούω) the verbal proclamation of the gospel, and "seeing" (blepō, βλέπω) the confirming miracles. This pattern reflects Jesus' own ministry and validates the apostolic witness.
The miracles (sēmeia, σημεῖα, "signs") weren't mere displays of power but authentication of Philip's message about Christ. The combination of word and wonder demonstrates God's pattern for missionary advance: proclamation confirmed by divine power. This broke down centuries of Samaritan-Jewish hostility, fulfilling Jesus' prophecy in Acts 1:8 that the gospel would reach Samaria. The unified response indicates the Spirit's sovereign work in preparing hearts for the gospel message.