Acts 8 Geneva Bible (1599)
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
Notes on this text (1)
- Original 16th-century spelling.
1 And Saul consented to his death, and at that time, there was a great persecution against the Church which was at Hierusalem, and they were all scattered abroad thorowe the regions of Iudea and of Samaria, except the Apostles.
1 Ἐγένετο δὲ ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ διωγμὸς μέγας ἐπὶ τὴν ἐκκλησίαν τὴν ἐν Ἱεροσολύμοις· πάντες δὲ διεσπάρησαν κατὰ τὰς χώρας τῆς Ἰουδαίας καὶ Σαμαρείας, πλὴν τῶν ἀποστόλων.
2 Then certaine men fearing God, caried Steuen amongs them, to be buried, and made great lamentation for him.
2 συνεκόμισαν δὲ τὸν Στέφανον ἄνδρες εὐλαβεῖς καὶ ἐποίησαν κοπετὸν μέγαν ἐπ᾽ αὐτῷ.
3 But Saul made hauocke of the Church, and entred into euery house, and drewe out both men and women, and put them into prison.
3 Σαῦλος δὲ ἐλυμαίνετο τὴν ἐκκλησίαν κατὰ τοὺς οἴκους εἰσπορευόμενος, σύρων τε ἄνδρας καὶ γυναῖκας παρεδίδου εἰς φυλακήν.
4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad, went to and from preaching the worde.
4 Οἱ μὲν οὖν διασπαρέντες διῆλθον εὐαγγελιζόμενοι τὸν λόγον.
5 Then came Philip into the citie of Samaria, and preached Christ vnto them.
5 Φίλιππος δὲ κατελθὼν εἰς πόλιν τῆς Σαμαρείας ἐκήρυσσεν αὐτοῖς τὸν Χριστόν.
6 And the people gaue heed vnto those things which Philippe spake, with one accorde, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
6 προσεῖχον δὲ οἱ ὄχλοι τοῖς λεγομένοις ὑπὸ τοῦ Φιλίππου ὁμοθυμαδὸν ἐν τῷ ἀκούειν αὐτοὺς καὶ βλέπειν τὰ σημεῖα ἃ ἐποίει.
7 For vncleane spirits crying with a loud voyce, came out of many that were possessed of them: and many taken with palsies, and that halted, were healed.
7 πολλῶν γὰρ τῶν ἐχόντων πνεύματα ἀκάθαρτα βοῶντα φωνῇ μεγάλῃ ἐξήρχετο, πολλοὶ δὲ παραλελυμένοι καὶ χωλοὶ ἐθεραπεύθησαν,
8 And there was great ioy in that citie.
8 καὶ ἐγένετο χαρὰ μεγάλη ἐν τῇ πόλει ἐκείνῃ.
9 And there was before in the citie a certaine man called Simon, which vsed witchcraft, and bewitched the people of Samaria, saying that he himselfe was some great man.
9 Ἀνὴρ δέ τις ὀνόματι Σίμων προϋπῆρχεν ἐν τῇ πόλει μαγεύων καὶ ἐξιστῶν τὸ ἔθνος τῆς Σαμαρείας, λέγων εἶναί τινα ἑαυτὸν μέγαν·
10 To whome they gaue heede from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is that great power of God.
10 ᾧ προσεῖχον πάντες ἀπὸ μικροῦ ἕως μεγάλου λέγοντες· οὗτός ἐστιν ἡ δύναμις τοῦ Θεοῦ ἡ μεγάλη.
11 And they gaue heed vnto him, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
11 προσεῖχον δὲ αὐτῷ διὰ τὸ ἱκανῷ χρόνῳ ταῖς μαγείαις ἐξεστακέναι αὐτούς.
12 But assoone as they beleeued Philip, which preached the thinges that concerned the kingdome of God, and the Name of Iesus Christ, they were baptized both men and women.
12 ὅτε δὲ ἐπίστευσαν τῷ Φιλίππῳ εὐαγγελιζομένῳ τὰ περὶ τῆς βασιλείας τοῦ Θεοῦ καὶ τοῦ ὀνόματος Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, ἐβαπτίζοντο ἄνδρες τε καὶ γυναῖκες.
13 Then Simon himselfe beleeued also and was baptized, and continued with Philippe, and wondred, when he sawe the signes and great miracles which were done.
13 ὁ δὲ Σίμων καὶ αὐτὸς ἐπίστευσε, καὶ βαπτισθεὶς ἦν προσκαρτερῶν τῷ Φιλίππῳ, θεωρῶν τε δυνάμεις καὶ σημεῖα γινόμενα ἐξίστατο.
14 Nowe when the Apostles, which were at Hierusalem, heard say, that Samaria had receiued the worde of God, they sent vnto them Peter and Iohn.
14 Ἀκούσαντες δὲ οἱ ἐν Ἱεροσολύμοις ἀπόστολοι ὅτι δέδεκται ἡ Σαμάρεια τὸν λόγον τοῦ Θεοῦ, ἀπέστειλαν πρὸς αὐτοὺς τὸν Πέτρον καὶ Ἰωάννην·
15 Which whe they were come downe, prayed for them, that they might receiue the holy Ghost.
15 οἵτινες καταβάντες προσηύξαντο περὶ αὐτῶν ὅπως λάβωσι Πνεῦμα Ἅγιον·
16 (For as yet, hee was fallen downe on none of them, but they were baptized onely in the Name of the Lord Iesus.)
16 οὔπω γὰρ ἦν ἐπ᾽ οὐδενὶ αὐτῶν ἐπιπεπτωκός, μόνον δὲ βεβαπτισμένοι ὑπῆρχον εἰς τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ.
17 Then layd they their handes on them, and they receiued the holy Ghost.
17 τότε ἐπετίθουν τὰς χεῖρας ἐπ᾽ αὐτούς, καὶ ἐλάμβανον Πνεῦμα Ἅγιον.
18 And when Simon sawe, that through laying on of the Apostles hands the holy Ghost was giuen, he offred them money,
18 ἰδὼν δὲ ὁ Σίμων ὅτι διὰ τῆς ἐπιθέσεως τῶν χειρῶν τῶν ἀποστόλων δίδοται τὸ Πνεῦμα τὸ Ἅγιον, προσήνεγκεν αὐτοῖς χρήματα
19 Saying, Giue mee also this power, that on whomsoeuer I lay the handes, he may receiue the holy Ghost.
19 λέγων· δότε κἀμοὶ τὴν ἐξουσίαν ταύτην, ἵνα ᾧ ἐὰν ἐπιθῶ τὰς χεῖρας λαμβάνῃ Πνεῦμα Ἅγιον.
20 Then saide Peter vnto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou thinkest that the gift of God may be obteined with money.
20 Πέτρος δὲ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτόν· τὸ ἀργύριόν σου σὺν σοὶ εἴη εἰς ἀπώλειαν, ὅτι τὴν δωρεὰν τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐνόμισας διὰ χρημάτων κτᾶσθαι.
21 Thou hast neither part nor fellowship in this businesse: for thine heart is not right in the sight of God.
21 οὐκ ἔστι σοι μερὶς οὐδὲ κλῆρος ἐν τῷ λόγῳ τούτῳ· ἡ γὰρ καρδία σου οὐκ ἔστιν εὐθεῖα ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ.
22 Repent therefore of this thy wickednes, and pray God, that if it be possible, the thought of thine heart may be forgiuen thee.
22 μετανόησον οὖν ἀπὸ τῆς κακίας σου ταύτης, καὶ δεήθητι τοῦ Θεοῦ εἰ ἄρα ἀφεθήσεταί σοι ἡ ἐπίνοια τῆς καρδίας σου·
23 For I see that thou art in the gall of bitternes, and in the bonde of iniquitie.
23 εἰς γὰρ χολὴν πικρίας καὶ σύνδεσμον ἀδικίας ὁρῶ σε ὄντα.
24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye haue spoken, come vpon me.
24 ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ Σίμων εἶπε· δεήθητε ὑμεῖς ὑπὲρ ἐμοῦ πρὸς τὸν Θεὸν ὅπως μηδὲν ἐπέλθῃ ἐπ᾽ ἐμὲ ὧν εἰρήκατε.
25 So they, when they had testified and preached the worde of the Lord, returned to Hierusalem, and preached the Gospel in many townes of the Samaritans.
25 Οἱ μὲν οὖν διαμαρτυράμενοι καὶ λαλήσαντες τὸν λόγον τοῦ Κυρίου ὑπέστρεψαν εἰς Ἱερουσαλήμ, πολλάς τε κώμας τῶν Σαμαρειτῶν εὐηγγελίσαντο.
26 Then the Angel of the Lord spake vnto Philip, saying, Arise, and goe towarde the South vnto the way that goeth downe from Hierusalem vnto Gaza, which is waste.
26 Ἄγγελος δὲ Κυρίου ἐλάλησε πρὸς Φίλιππον λέγων· ἀνάστηθι καὶ πορεύου κατὰ μεσημβρίαν ἐπὶ τὴν ὁδὸν τὴν καταβαίνουσαν ἀπὸ Ἱερουσαλὴμ εἰς Γάζαν· αὕτη ἐστὶν ἔρημος.
27 And hee arose and went on: and beholde, a certaine Eunuche of Ethiopia, Candaces the Queene of the Ethiopians chiefe Gouernour, who had the rule of all her treasure, and came to Hierusalem to worship:
27 καὶ ἀναστὰς ἐπορεύθη. καὶ ἰδοὺ ἀνὴρ Αἰθίοψ εὐνοῦχος δυνάστης Κανδάκης τῆς βασιλίσσης Αἰθιόπων, ὃς ἦν ἐπὶ πάσης τῆς γάζης αὐτῆς, ὃς ἐληλύθει προσκυνήσων εἰς Ἱερουσαλήμ,
28 And as he returned sitting in his charet, he read Esaias the Prophet.
28 ἦν τε ὑποστρέφων καὶ καθήμενος ἐπὶ τοῦ ἅρματος αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἀνεγίνωσκε τὸν προφήτην Ἡσαΐαν.
29 Then the Spirit said vnto Philip, Goe neere and ioyne thy selfe to yonder charet.
29 εἶπε δὲ τὸ Πνεῦμα τῷ Φιλίππῳ· πρόσελθε καὶ κολλήθητι τῷ ἅρματι τούτῳ.
30 And Philip ranne thither, and heard him reade the Prophet Esaias, and said, But vnderstandest thou what thou readest?
30 προσδραμὼν δὲ ὁ Φίλιππος ἤκουσεν αὐτοῦ ἀναγινώσκοντος τὸν προφήτην Ἡσαΐαν, καὶ εἶπεν· ἆρά γε γινώσκεις ἃ ἀναγινώσκεις;
31 And he saide, Howe can I, except I had a guide? And he desired Philip, that he would come vp and sit with him.
31 ὁ δὲ εἶπε· πῶς γὰρ ἂν δυναίμην, ἐὰν μή τις ὁδηγήσῃ με; παρεκάλεσέ τε τὸν Φίλιππον ἀναβάντα καθίσαι σὺν αὐτῷ.
32 Nowe the place of the Scripture which he read, was this, Hee was lead as a sheepe to the slaughter: and like a lambe domme before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth.
32 ἡ δὲ περιοχὴ τῆς γραφῆς ἣν ἀνεγίνωσκεν ἦν αὕτη· ὡς πρόβατον ἐπὶ σφαγὴν ἤχθη· καὶ ὡς ἀμνὸς ἐναντίον τοῦ κείροντος αὐτὸν ἄφωνος, οὕτως οὐκ ἀνοίγει τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ.
33 In his humilitie his iudgement hath bene exalted: but who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.
33 ἐν τῇ ταπεινώσει αὐτοῦ ἡ κρίσις αὐτοῦ ἤρθη· τὴν δὲ γενεὰν αὐτοῦ τίς διηγήσεται; ὅτι αἴρεται ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς ἡ ζωὴ αὐτοῦ.
34 Then the Eunuche answered Philippe, and saide, I pray thee of whome speaketh the Prophet this? of himselfe, or of some other man?
34 ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ εὐνοῦχος τῷ Φιλίππῳ εἶπε· δέομαί σου, περὶ τίνος ὁ προφήτης λέγει τοῦτο; περὶ ἑαυτοῦ ἢ περὶ ἑτέρου τινός;
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same Scripture, and preached vnto him Iesus.
35 ἀνοίξας δὲ ὁ Φίλιππος τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀρξάμενος ἀπὸ τῆς γραφῆς ταύτης εὐηγγελίσατο αὐτῷ τὸν Ἰησοῦν.
36◆ And as they went on their way, they came vnto a certaine water, and the Eunuche said, See, here is water: what doeth let me to be baptized?
36 ὡς δὲ ἐπορεύοντο κατὰ τὴν ὁδόν, ἦλθον ἐπί τι ὕδωρ, καί φησιν ὁ εὐνοῦχος· ἰδοὺ ὕδωρ· τί κωλύει με βαπτισθῆναι;
37◆ And Philippe said vnto him, If thou beleeuest with all thine heart, thou mayest. Then he answered, and saide, I beleeue that that Iesus Christ is that Sonne of God.
37 [εἶπε δὲ ὁ Φίλιππος· εἰ πιστεύεις ἐξ ὅλης τῆς καρδίας, ἔξεστιν. ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ εἶπε· πιστεύω τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ εἶναι τὸν Ἰησοῦν Χριστόν.]
38◆ Then he commanded the charet to stand stil: and they went downe both into the water, both Philip and the Eunuche, and he baptized him.
38 καὶ ἐκέλευσε στῆναι τὸ ἅρμα, καὶ κατέβησαν ἀμφότεροι εἰς τὸ ὕδωρ, ὅ τε Φίλιππος καὶ ὁ εὐνοῦχος, καὶ ἐβάπτισεν αὐτόν.
39 And assoone as they were come vp out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the Eunuche sawe him no more: so he went on his way reioycing.
39 ὅτε δὲ ἀνέβησαν ἐκ τοῦ ὕδατος, Πνεῦμα Κυρίου ἥρπασε τὸν Φίλιππον, καὶ οὐκ εἶδεν αὐτὸν οὐκέτι ὁ εὐνοῦχος· ἐπορεύετο γὰρ τὴν ὁδὸν αὐτοῦ χαίρων.
40 But Philippe was found at Azotus, and he walked to and from preaching in all the cities, till he came to Cesarea.
40 Φίλιππος δὲ εὑρέθη εἰς Ἄζωτον, καὶ διερχόμενος εὐηγγελίζετο τὰς πόλεις πάσας ἕως τοῦ ἐλθεῖν αὐτὸν εἰς Καισάρειαν.
People & places in this chapter
From this site's family tree and Bible maps, only where those guides cite this chapter.
People
Philip
One of the seven chosen at Jerusalem; he preached in Samaria, baptized the Ethiopian official, and later hosted Paul at Caesarea with his four prophesying daughters.
Cited in the guide: Acts 6:5; Acts 8:5; Acts 8:38
Simon
A sorcerer in Samaria who believed and was baptized, then tried to buy the power to give the Holy Spirit and was rebuked by Peter.
Cited in the guide: Acts 8:9; Acts 8:13; Acts 8:18
Cross references (39)
Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.
- 1 Daniel 3:16–18; Acts 22:20; Acts 5:40; Acts 1:8; Acts 7:58
- 2 Genesis 50:10–11; Jeremiah 22:18; Genesis 23:2; 2 Chronicles 35:25; 2 Chronicles 32:33
- 3 1 Timothy 1:13; Philippians 3:6; 1 Corinthians 15:9; Galatians 1:13; Acts 9:21
- 4 Matthew 10:23; Acts 11:19; Acts 8:1; 1 Thessalonians 2:2; Acts 15:35
- 5 Acts 6:5; Acts 21:8; Acts 8:40; Acts 8:35–36; Acts 5:42
- 6 John 4:41–42; Matthew 20:15–16; Acts 13:44; 2 Chronicles 30:12
- 7 Matthew 10:1; Acts 14:8–10; Mark 16:17–18; Acts 5:16; Hebrews 2:4
- 8 Acts 13:52; Psalm 96:10–12; Acts 13:48; Luke 2:10–11; Romans 15:9–12
- 9 Acts 13:6; John 7:18; Acts 5:36; Exodus 8:18–19; Acts 19:18–20
- 10 2 Peter 2:2; Revelation 13:3; Jeremiah 31:34; Jeremiah 8:10; Jonah 3:5
- 11 Acts 8:9; Galatians 3:1; Isaiah 8:19; Isaiah 47:9–13; Isaiah 44:25
- 12 Acts 2:38; Acts 1:3; Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:41; 1 Peter 3:21
- 13 Acts 19:11; Acts 8:6–7; John 5:20; John 8:30–31; Mark 16:17
- 14 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 3:2; Acts 8:1; Galatians 2:9; Acts 2:41
- 15 Acts 2:38; John 16:23–24; Matthew 18:19; John 14:13–14; Philippians 1:19
- 16 Acts 2:38; Acts 19:2; Matthew 28:19; Acts 19:5–6; Acts 11:15–17
- 17 Acts 19:6; Acts 6:6; 2 Timothy 1:6; Acts 8:18; Acts 2:4
- 18 1 Timothy 6:5; Matthew 10:8; 2 Kings 8:9; Ezekiel 13:19; 2 Kings 5:15–16
- 19 Luke 14:7–11; Matthew 18:1–3; 3 John 9; John 5:44; Acts 8:17
- 20 Daniel 5:17; Acts 2:38; Matthew 10:8; Revelation 18:15; 2 Peter 2:14–17
- 21 Hebrews 4:13; Matthew 6:22–24; Psalm 36:1; John 21:17; Revelation 22:19
- 22 2 Timothy 2:25–26; Daniel 4:27; Hebrews 4:12; Acts 9:11; Luke 11:9–13
- 23 Isaiah 58:6; Proverbs 5:22; John 8:34; Hebrews 12:15; Titus 3:3
- 24 Exodus 8:8; Numbers 21:7; Job 42:8; Genesis 20:7; James 5:16
- 25 Acts 20:21; Acts 28:23; 1 Peter 5:12; Acts 28:28; Acts 8:40
- 26 2 Kings 1:3; Acts 5:19; Hebrews 1:14; Acts 27:23; Acts 12:23
- 27 Zephaniah 3:10; Psalm 68:31; Isaiah 56:3–8; Jeremiah 38:7; Psalm 87:4
- 28 Colossians 3:16; Isaiah 1:1; Acts 28:25; Proverbs 2:1–6; 2 Timothy 3:15–17
- 29 Acts 10:19; Acts 11:12; Acts 13:2–4; Acts 20:22–23; Acts 16:6–7
- 30 Luke 24:44–45; John 5:39; Ephesians 5:17; Matthew 15:10; Matthew 13:23
- 31 Romans 10:14; Isaiah 29:18–19; Psalm 73:16–17; Proverbs 30:2–3; Psalm 25:8–9
- 32 Isaiah 53:7–8; 1 Peter 2:21–24; Jeremiah 51:40; Jeremiah 11:19; Romans 8:36
- 33 Isaiah 53:12; Isaiah 53:8; Philippians 2:8–9; Zechariah 13:7; Isaiah 53:10
- 34 Matthew 15:15; Matthew 13:36; Matthew 2:2–4
- 35 Luke 24:27; Acts 18:28; 1 Corinthians 2:2; Acts 28:23; Matthew 5:2
- 36 Acts 10:47; John 3:5; John 3:23; Titus 3:5–6; 1 John 5:6
- 38 John 4:1; John 3:22–23
- 39 1 Kings 18:12; 2 Kings 2:16; Ezekiel 8:3; Ezekiel 43:5; Ezekiel 11:1
- 40 Acts 21:8; Acts 23:33; Acts 25:4; Acts 10:1; Acts 23:23
Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences
Why does my Bible say something different?
- Acts 8:37: the eunuch’s confession of faith
In some Bibles, before Philip baptizes the Ethiopian, he says, “If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest,” and the eunuch answers, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” This verse is missing from the oldest Greek manuscripts and from most Byzantine ones, but it was known to St Irenaeus in the second century. It appears to be an early baptismal confession added to the story.
What the Fathers said
Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).
How these were chosen
“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).
It seems to me, this (Philip) was one of the seven; for from Jerusalem he would not have gone southwards, but to the north; but from Samaria it was "towards the south. The same is desert:" so that there is no fear of an attack from the Jews. And he did not ask, Wherefore? but "arose and went.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 11 (1889)
And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had driven them mad by his sorceries." This Simon, then--who feigned faith, supposing that the apostles themselves performed their cures by the art of magic, and not by the power of God; and with respect to their filling with the Holy Ghost, through the imposition of hands, those …
… when we hear, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved;" we do not of course understand it of one who believes in such a way "as the devils believe and tremble;" nor of those who receive baptism in such sort as Simon Magus, who though he could be baptized, could not be saved.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 6 (1888)
For indeed this is his great power. This power caused Christ to die, that He might put an end to it.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 10 (1888)
The inventor of all heresy was Simon Magus: that Simon, who in the Acts of the Apostles thought to purchase with money the unsaleable grace of the Spirit, and heard the words, Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter, and the rest: concerning whom also it is written, They went out from us, but they were not …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 7 (1894)