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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 8:20 mean?

Explanation

Acts 8:20 captures a moment in the early Christian church where Simon the Sorcerer, having seen the power of the Holy Spirit working through the apostles Peter and John, offered them money to possess the same ability.

The apostle Peter rebukes Simon sternly, accentuating the principle that the gifts of God, particularly the Holy Spirit, cannot be bought with money.

This verse addresses a deep moral and spiritual error: trying to commercialize divine gifts, which are freely given by God's grace.

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

This verse is situated in the book of Acts, which is the fifth book of the New Testament and details the spread of the early Christian church after Christ's resurrection and ascension.

The event occurs after Philip had brought the Gospel to Samaria and Simon the Sorcerer had believed and been baptized.

The apostles in Jerusalem, hearing that Samaria had accepted the word of God, sent Peter and John to pray for the new believers to receive the Holy Spirit.

At the time, the concept of buying ecclesiastical positions or spiritual powers, later called simony, was not yet named but is epitomized by Simon's act.

Theological Insights

In Christian theology, Acts 8:20 is frequently cited in discussions about the nature of divine gifts and ecclesial authority.

Many theologians point out that this verse underlines the incompatibility of attempting to manipulate or purchase what God gives freely. The theology of grace is at the forefront here, the unmerited favor and gifting of God cannot be acquired by human means.

This verse is also seen as an admonition against the practice of simony, which became a serious issue in church history.

Practical Applications

The message of Acts 8:20 is particularly relevant in a contemporary context where materialism and consumerism are rampant.

For individuals, it suggests that spiritual life and growth in faith are not commodities but experiences and states that are cultivated through a relationship with God and cannot be bought.

For church leaders and communities, it serves as a warning to maintain the purity of ministry and church offices, ensuring that they are not tainted by financial considerations but guided by the Holy Spirit.

Cross-References

Acts 2:38 - Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.

And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
1 Peter 1:18-19 - "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;"
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."

Language Study

The phrase "Thy money perish with thee," in the original Greek text is "σοῦ τὰ ἀργύρια εἰς ἀπώλειαν" (sou ta argyria eis apōleian), literally meaning "your money to destruction." The term "ἀργύρια" (argyria) refers to silver or money.

This term reflects the disdain for tying monetary value to sacred gifts. "ἀπώλειαν" (apōleian) means destruction or perdition, indicating the severity of Simon's error and its spiritual consequences.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In other religious systems of the time, such as certain strands of paganism, magical practices, and the buying of blessings or curses, were common.

Simon's background as a sorcerer suggests he was accustomed to such transactions.

The sharp rebuke by Peter sets the Christian faith apart, emphasizing a radical departure from these practices and establishing that divine power is not a marketable commodity like in other religious systems of the time.

Scientific Perspectives

Acts 8:20 addresses doctrinal and ethical matters rather than scientific issues.

From a modern scientific standpoint, the verse does not offer a hypothesis that can be tested.

However, the social sciences, such as psychology and sociology, might examine the human tendencies towards trying to control or purchase power and status, as Simon attempted, and why such behaviors are ethically problematic within communities.

Commentaries

Commentators have given a range of interpretations of Acts 8:20.

Some emphasize the gravity of the sin of simony, comparing Simon's attempt to purchase the Holy Spirit to more modern forms of religious corruption.

Others may focus on Peter's response as emblematic of the apostolic authority to discern and correct errors in the early church.

Matthew Henry's Commentary notes that Simon's sin was particularly heinous because it showed a misunderstanding of the spiritual nature of God's grace.

John Calvin's Commentary suggests that this is a particularly severe judgment that reflects not just on Simon's spiritual state but also serves as a lesson to all believers.

Acts 8

Acts 8

What does Acts 8:20 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 8:20 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?