Acts · Majority Standard Bible
Acts 8 Majority Standard Bible
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
1 And Saul was there, giving approval to Stephen’s death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.
1 Saul was consenting to his death. A great persecution arose against the assembly which was in Jerusalem in that day. They were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except for the apostles.
2 God-fearing men buried Stephen and mourned deeply over him.
2 Devout men buried Stephen and lamented greatly over him.
3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.
3 But Saul ravaged the assembly, entering into every house and dragged both men and women off to prison.
4 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.
4 Therefore those who were scattered abroad went around preaching the word.
5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ to them.
5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ.
6 The crowds all paid close attention to Philip’s message and to the signs they saw him perform.
6 The multitudes listened with one accord to the things that were spoken by Philip when they heard and saw the signs which he did.
7 With loud shrieks, unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed, and many of the paralyzed and lame were healed.
7 For unclean spirits came out of many of those who had them. They came out, crying with a loud voice. Many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed.
8 So there was great joy in that city.
8 There was great joy in that city.
9 Prior to that time, a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and astounded the people of Samaria. He claimed to be someone great,
9 But there was a certain man, Simon by name, who used to practice sorcery in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, making himself out to be some great one,
10 and from the least to the greatest they heeded his words and said, “This man is the great power of God.”
10 to whom they all listened, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is that great power of God.”
11 They paid close attention to him because he had astounded them for a long time with his sorcery.
11 They listened to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his sorceries.
12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the gospel of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
12 But when they believed Philip preaching good news concerning God’s Kingdom and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
13 Even Simon himself believed and was baptized. He followed Philip closely and was astounded by the miracles and signs he observed.
13 Simon himself also believed. Being baptized, he continued with Philip. Seeing signs and great miracles occurring, he was amazed.
14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them.
14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them,
15 On their arrival, they prayed for them to receive the Holy Spirit.
15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit;
16 For the Holy Spirit had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of Jesus Christ.
16 for as yet he had fallen on none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of Christ Jesus.
17 Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
17 Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
18 When Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money.
18 Now when Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money,
19 “Give me this power as well,” he said, “so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
19 saying, “Give me also this power, that whomever I lay my hands on may receive the Holy Spirit.”
20 But Peter replied, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!
20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!
21 You have no part or share in our ministry, because your heart is not right in the sight of God.
21 You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart isn’t right before God.
22 Repent, therefore, of your wickedness, and pray to God. Perhaps He will forgive you for the intent of your heart.
22 Repent therefore of this, your wickedness, and ask God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.
23 For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and captive to iniquity.”
23 For I see that you are in the poison of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity.”
24 Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me, so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”
24 Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that none of the things which you have spoken happen to me.”
25 And after Peter and John had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many of the Samaritan villages.
25 They therefore, when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the Good News to many villages of the Samaritans.
26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Get up and go south to the desert road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.”
26 Then an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise, and go toward the south to the way that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. This is a desert.”
27 So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official in charge of the entire treasury of Candace, the queen of the Ethiopians. He had gone to Jerusalem to worship,
27 He arose and went; and behold, there was a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, who had come to Jerusalem to worship.
28 and on his return was sitting in his chariot reading Isaiah the prophet.
28 He was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah.
29 The Spirit said to Philip, “Go over to that chariot and stay by it.”
29 The Spirit said to Philip, “Go near, and join yourself to this chariot.”
30 So Philip ran up and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.
30 Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?”
31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
31 He said, “How can I, unless someone explains it to me?” He begged Philip to come up and sit with him.
32 The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so He did not open His mouth.
32 Now the passage of the Scripture which he was reading was this, “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter. As a lamb before his shearer is silent, so he doesn’t open his mouth.
33 In His humiliation He was deprived of justice. Who can recount His descendants? For His life was removed from the earth.”
33 In his humiliation, his judgment was taken away. Who will declare His generation? For his life is taken from the earth.”
34 “Tell me,” said the eunuch, “who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?”
34 The eunuch answered Philip, “Who is the prophet talking about? About himself, or about someone else?”
35 Then Philip began with this very Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.
35 Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, preached to him about Jesus.
36◆ As they traveled along the road and came to some water, the eunuch said, “Look, here is water! What is there to prevent me from being baptized?”
36 As they went on the way, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Behold, here is water. What is keeping me from being baptized?”
38◆ And Philip gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.
38 He commanded the chariot to stand still, and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.
39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, but went on his way rejoicing.
39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, and the eunuch didn’t see him any more, for he went on his way rejoicing.
40 But Philip appeared at Azotus and traveled through that region, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he came to Caesarea.
40 But Philip was found at Azotus. Passing through, he preached the Good News to all the cities until he came to Caesarea.
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
Stephen
One of the seven chosen to serve tables, full of faith and the Holy Spirit; he was stoned after his speech to the Sanhedrin and became the first martyr.
Cited in the guide: Acts 6:5; Acts 7:59; Acts 8:2
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)