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Acts 8

And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.

As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.

And there was great joy in that city.

But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:

To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.

And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.

But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.

Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.

And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,

Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.

Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.

And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?

And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:

In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.

And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?

Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.

But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

What does Acts 8:18 mean?

Explanation

[And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,] Acts 8:18

The verse captures a moment when Simon, a magician in Samaria, witnesses the apostles Peter and John bestowing the Holy Spirit onto new believers through the laying on of hands.

Simon is amazed by what he sees and attempts to buy the power to confer the Holy Spirit himself.

This act reveals his misunderstanding of the nature of God's gifts and the workings of the Holy Spirit.

The passage emphasizes that spiritual gifts cannot be purchased with money because they are freely given by God to those He chooses.

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Acts 8:18 is situated within the Book of Acts, which describes the early Christian church's development following Jesus' resurrection and ascension.

The context here is that Philip the Evangelist successfully brings many Samaritans to Christian faith.

Peter and John then come from Jerusalem to help consolidate the faith of these new converts, during which this episode with Simon occurs.

This event likely took place in the first decade after Jesus' death, during a time when the early Church was grappling with the extension of the gospel to non-Jew (Gentile) communities, which included Samaritans.

Theological Insights

From a theological point of view, Simon's attempt to buy the gift of the Holy Spirit is seen as a grave misunderstanding of the Christian doctrine of grace, a term that in Christian belief refers to the free and unmerited favor of God.

This passage is often used to underline that gifts of spiritual significance, among them being the Holy Spirit itself, cannot be obtained through personal means or financial wealth but are instead granted by the divine will of God.

Some traditions refer to Simon's act as "simony," now a term denoting the buying or selling of ecclesiastical privileges, positions, or sacraments, a practice that is strongly condemned in many Christian denominations.

Practical Applications

The practical application of Acts 8:18 is a warning against attempting to control or commodify spiritual gifts or church offices.

It calls Christians to understand that spiritual power and authority cannot be obtained through worldly means.

Believers are encouraged to cultivate humility and a heart that understands the nature of God's grace and the Holy Spirit as free and unquantifiable gifts.

Cross-References

Acts 8:20 - "But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money."
1 Timothy 6:10 - "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."
2 Kings 5:16 - "But he [Elisha] said, As the LORD liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none.

And he [Naaman] urged him to take it; but he refused."

Matthew 10:8 - "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give."

Language Study

In Acts 8:18, key terms would include:

"Saw" (Greek: "ιδων" - idōn): A form of the verb to see, suggesting perception or awareness.
"Laying on of the apostles' hands" (Greek: "επιθεσεως των χειρων" - epitheseōs tōn cheirōn): Refers to the act of placing hands as a sign of conferral or blessing.
"Holy Ghost" (Greek: "Πνευματος Αγιου" - Pneumatos Hagiou): This term for the Holy Spirit emphasizes its sacred and divine nature.
"Offered" (Greek: "προσηνεγκεν" - prosēnenken): To bring forward or present as an offer.
"Money" (Greek: "χρηματα" - chrēmata): This translation reflects general wealth or funds.

Understanding the original language nuances helps to deepen the understanding of Simon's actions and their implications.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparatively, the attempt to buy or manipulate spiritual power is not unique to Christianity and can be found in various cultures and religions. For example, in some ancient pagan traditions, the procurement of divine favor or abilities through sacrifices or offerings was common.

However, in the Judeo-Christian context, such actions are portrayed as inappropriate and contradictory to the nature of God who offers grace freely.

Scientific Perspectives

From a modern scientific perspective, the impartation of the Holy Spirit as described in Acts would be categorized as a religious experience, not something that can be objectively studied or quantified.

However, scientists have explored the psychological effects of religious practices and beliefs, suggesting that acts like the laying on of hands may have psychological or emotional significance to individuals involved.

commentaries

John Calvin's Commentary on Acts states that Simon's error was thinking that the gifts of the Holy Spirit were so common that they could be bought and sold. 2.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary remarks that Simon's behavior showed he was still "in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity," with no part in true Christianity. 3.

The International Critical Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles notes that this episode with Simon highlights a transitional period in the church where charismatic gifts were being new discovered and integrated within the community following Pentecost. 4.

The Expositor's Bible Commentary remarks on the seriousness with which Peter rebukes Simon, emphasizing the gravity of trying to commercialize God's gifts.

Acts 8

Acts 8

What does Acts 8:18 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

commentaries

Want more context?

What does Acts 8:18 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

commentaries

Want more context?