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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 8:33 mean?

Explanation

The verse Acts 8:33 is a portion of what the Ethiopian eunuch was reading from the Book of Isaiah when Philip the Evangelist encountered him.

This specific verse reflects on the suffering and humiliation endured by a servant figure, who according to Christian interpretation, represents Jesus Christ.

The 'his judgment was taken away' phrase suggests the servant was denied justice and suffered wrongful treatment, which culminates in his life being 'taken from the earth,' referring to a violent or premature death.

The rhetorical question, 'who shall declare his generation?' implies that his death leaves unanswered questions about his lineage or descendants since he was cut off in humiliation.

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Historical Context

Acts 8:33 is a quote from the Septuagint version of Isaiah 53:8.

During the time of Acts, the Ethiopian eunuch was reading a scroll of Isaiah, and this scripture would have been deeply entrenched in the Jewish understanding of suffering and servitude.

Isaiah was written centuries before the time of Christ, and early Christians believed that the "suffering servant" spoken of in Isaiah was a prophecy about Jesus.

The context in Acts is the spread of the Christian faith beyond the Jewish community and into the broader Gentile world, symbolized by the Ethiopian eunuch's conversion.

Theological Insights

From a Christian perspective, the verse is often seen as prophetic of Jesus' own experience - His trial and crucifixion, where He was humiliated and His right to justice was denied as He was condemned to die.

The question about declaring his generation is thought to contemplate the enduring impact of Jesus' ministry despite His death.

Different theological viewpoints might emphasize the fulfillment of prophecy, the divine plan of salvation, the example of unjust suffering, or the significance of the atonement.

Practical Applications

This verse can be applied in the contemporary context as a reminder of the suffering of the innocent and the injustices faced by many.

It challenges believers to reflect on the significance of Christ's sacrifice and calls them to advocate for those who are unjustly treated.

It also provides solace and hope for those suffering, suggesting the possibility of a greater purpose or divine plan behind their trials.

Cross-References

Isaiah 53:7-8 (KJV): "He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken."

Matthew 27:12-14 (KJV): "And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing."
1 Peter 2:23-24 (KJV): "Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed."

Language Study

The key words from this passage in their original language (Greek from the Septuagint) include:

"Humiliation" (ταπείνωσις, tapeinosis): implies being brought low, humbled, or a state of lowliness.
"Judgment" (κρίσις, krisis): can mean a decision, verdict, or justice itself.
"Generation" (γενεά, genea): this can refer to an age, a set of contemporaries, a lineage or descendants.
"Life" (ζωή, zoe): often used to mean life in the physical and spiritual sense, or the essence of life itself.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In the context of ancient Jewish texts, the suffering servant in Isaiah is a figure that has sparked various interpretations, from the nation of Israel itself to a specific prophetic individual.

In other ancient cultures, there are stories of righteous sufferers or unjustly treated heroes, like the Mesopotamian King Gilgamesh, but these typically don’t carry the same redemptive meaning as the Christian interpretation of Jesus as the suffering servant.

Scientific Perspectives

There aren't direct scientific perspectives on this verse, since it deals with religious and theological concepts rather than empirical claims.

However, modern forensic science could shed light on the sufferings and death described, giving us a more realistic picture of what such an event might entail physically.

Additionally, the psychological understanding of trauma and suffering provides insights into the human condition that parallel the experiences depicted in this scripture.

Commentaries

Most biblical scholars and commentators agree that Acts 8:33 reflects a Christological interpretation of the Isaiah prophecy.

Notably, Matthew Henry's Commentary emphasizes the injustice inflicted on Jesus during His trial and crucifixion, likening it to a lamb led to slaughter.

John Gill's Exposition of the Bible discusses how the 'generation' question indicates the disbelief among contemporaries of the Messiah.

The Expositor's Bible Commentary points out the significance of the eunuch's encounter with Philip and the explanation of the prophecy as a turning point in Gentile inclusion in the early Christian church.

These commentaries underscore the importance of scriptural understanding in the spread of Christianity and the personal transformation through the acceptance of Jesus's sacrifice.

Acts 8

Acts 8

What does Acts 8:33 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 8:33 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?