Acts8
English Standard Version
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2 .
3 was the , and house , he and them .
4 those who were the .
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6 the with to what was being him the he .
7 , with a , of who them, who were were .
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9 there , who had the the of , that he .
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11 they to for a he had with his .
12 they as he preached the of the of , they were , .
13 , after being he with . , he was .
14 when the had the of , they ,
15 and they might the ,
16 he yet of , they had the of the .
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18 when the was the of the ’ , he ,
19 , , so I my may the .
20 , May , you you the of !
21 , .
22 , , of , to the that, , the of may be .
23 I that the of in the of .
24 , the , of you have may .
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26 an of the , the the that goes . a place.
27 he and . there an , a , a of , of the , in of . had to
28 , , he was the .
29 the to , .
30 to him and the , Do you you are ?
31 he , I, ? he to come and .
32 the of the he was : a he was the a is , he .
33 was . ? is the .
34 the to , , I , does the , ?
35 , he the good about .
36 they were the they , the , , here is ! from being ?
38 he the to , they the , the , he .
39 they came out the , the of the , the , on .
40 himself , as he passed he to the .
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Acts 8.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Saul persecutes the church. (1–4). Philip's success at Samaria. Simon the sorcerer baptized. (5–13). The hypocrisy of Simon detected. (14–25). Philip and the Ethiopian. (26–40).
vv1-4
Though persecution must not drive us from our work, yet it may send us to work elsewhere. Wherever the established believer is driven, he carries the knowledge of the gospel, and makes known the preciousness of Christ in every place. Where a simple desire of doing good influences the heart, it will be found impossible to shut a man out from all opportunities of usefulness.
vv5-13
As far as the gospel prevails, evil spirits are dislodged, particularly unclean spirits. All inclinations to the lusts of the flesh which war against the soul are such. Distempers are here named, the most difficult to be cured by the course of nature, and most expressive of the disease of sin. Pride, ambition, and desire after grandeur have always caused abundance of mischief, both to the world and to the church. The people said of Simon, This man is the great power of God. See how ignorant and thoughtless people mistake. But how strong is the power of Divine grace, by which they were brought to Christ, who is Truth itself! The people not only gave heed to what Philip said, but were fully convinced that it was of God, and not of men, and gave up themselves to be directed thereby. Even bad men, and those whose hearts still go after covetousness, may come before God as his people come, and for a time continue with them. And many wonder at the proofs of Divine truths, who never experience their power. The gospel preached may have a common operation upon a soul, where it never produced inward holiness. All are not savingly converted who profess to believe the gospel.
vv14-25
The Holy Ghost was as yet fallen upon none of these coverts, in the extraordinary powers conveyed by the descent of the Spirit upon the day of Pentecost. We may take encouragement from this example, in praying to God to give the renewing graces of the Holy Ghost to all for whose spiritual welfare we are concerned; for that includes all blessings. No man can give the Holy Spirit by the laying on of his hands; but we should use our best endeavours to instruct those for whom we pray. Simon Magus was ambitious to have the honour of an apostle, but cared not at all to have the spirit and disposition of a Christian. He was more desirous to gain honour to himself, than to do good to others. Peter shows him his crime. He esteemed the wealth of this world, as if it would answer for things relating to the other life, and would purchase the pardon of sin, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and eternal life. This was such a condemning error as could by no means consist with a state of grace. Our hearts are what they are in the sight of God, who cannot be deceived. And if they are not right in his sight, our religion is vain, and will stand us in no stead. A proud and covetous heart cannot be right with God. It is possible for a man to continue under the power of sin, yet to put on a form of godliness. When tempted with money to do evil, see what a perishing thing money is, and scorn it. Think not that Christianity is a trade to live by in this world. There is much wickedness in the thought of the heart, its false notions, and corrupt affections, and wicked projects, which must be repented of, or we are undone. But it shall be forgiven, upon our repentance. The doubt here is of the sincerity of Simon's repentance, not of his pardon, if his repentance was sincere. Grant us, Lord, another sort of faith than that which made Simon wonder only, and did not sanctify his heart. May we abhor all thoughts of making religion serve the purposes of pride or ambition. And keep us from that subtle poison of spiritual pride, which seeks glory to itself even from humility. May we seek only the honour which cometh from God.
Key Words
δέ (dé): but, and, etc.
Σαῦλος (Saûlos): Saulus (i.e. Shaul), the Jewish name of Paul
αὐτός (autós): the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἀναίρεσις (anaíresis): (the act of) killing
γίνομαι (gínomai): to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
ἐν (en): "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
ἐκεῖνος (ekeînos): that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
ἡμέρα (hēméra): day, i.e. (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the Jews as inclusive of the parts of both extremes); figuratively, a period (always defined more or less clearly by the context)
μέγας (mégas): big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application)
διωγμός (diōgmós): persecution
Cross References
Acts 8Direct Old Testament passage quoted verbatim regarding the lamb led to the slaughter.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Direct quotation from Isaiah describing the humiliation and life taken from the earth.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Jesus' instruction to flee persecution, explaining the scattering of believers except the apostles.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Fulfillment of Christ's program of expansion from Jerusalem into Judea and Samaria.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Paul's own later confession of his violent past, matching Luke's description of his ravaging the church.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Contrast between Elisha's refusal of Naaman's money and Simon's attempt to purchase God's gift.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin
The 'gall of bitterness' is a direct verbal echo of Deuteronomy's warning against idolatry.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Paul's subsequent testimony specifically recalling his consenting to Stephen's death.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Verbal echo of the 'root of bitterness' defiling many, mirroring Simon's corrupt state.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Simon's self-serving request for prayer echoes Pharaoh begging Moses to entreat the Lord.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallel instance of the Spirit of the Lord physically carrying away a prophet.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Christ's command 'freely ye received, freely give' condemns Simon's commercial request.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Prophetic promise of blessings for the eunuch who joins himself to the Lord.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Paul confesses to persecuting 'unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.'
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB