Commentaries Dictionaries Concordances

Combined Bible Commentary

Acts 8

Acts 8 - Introduction

VIII: 1-4. The enemies of the disciples had now tried and exhausted all the ordinary methods of opposing the truth. Under the leadership of the Sadducees they had tried, first threatening, then imprisonment, and then stripes. They were about to follow this with the death of the twelve, when the mild... [ Continue Reading ]

Acts 8:1

VIII: 1–4. The enemies of the disciples had now tried and exhausted all the ordinary methods of opposing the truth. Under the leadership of the Sadducees they had tried, first threatening, then imprisonment, and then stripes. They were about to follow this with the death of the twelve, when the mild... [ Continue Reading ]

Acts 8:5

5. Among the many who now went everywhere preaching the word, the historian chooses to relate here the labors of only one. (5) "_Then Philip went down into the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them._" This Philip was one of the seven, and his name stands in the list next to that of Stephen. Th... [ Continue Reading ]

Acts 8:6

6-11. When Philip first entered the city of Samaria, the public mind was in a condition most unfavorable to the reception of the gospel. The practice of magical arts was quite common among the Jews and Samaritans of that age; and the masses of the people of all nations were very superstitious in ref... [ Continue Reading ]

Acts 8:14

14-17. Before recording the sequel of Simon's case, Luke introduces an incident, which, on account of its singularity in New Testament history, demands very careful consideration. (14) "_Now when the apostles, who were in Jerusalem, heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them... [ Continue Reading ]

Acts 8:18

18, 19. In the above remarks upon the incident before us, we have assumed that the gift imparted was miraculous. This assumption is justified by the fact that it was a matter of observation by those who were not recipients of it, as is evident from the next statement of the text. (18) "_And when Sim... [ Continue Reading ]

Acts 8:20

20-23. Nothing could be more abhorrent to the feelings of an apostle than such a proposition. It was well calculated to arouse the impulsive spirit of Peter, and his response is marked by his characteristic vehemence. (20) "_But Peter said to him, Your silver go with you to perdition, because you ha... [ Continue Reading ]

Acts 8:24

24. The conclusion of the conversation between Peter and Simon leaves us in doubt as to the final fate of the latter. Peter had exhorted him to repent, and pray to God for pardon. (24) "_Then Simon answered and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upo... [ Continue Reading ]

Acts 8:25

25. In connection with the prime object of their visit to Samaria, Peter and John also furthered the efforts of Philip in preaching and teaching. This we learn from an incidental remark in connection with the statement of their departure for Jerusalem. (25) "_Now they, having testified and spoken th... [ Continue Reading ]

Acts 8:26

26. When the congregation in Samaria had been supplied _with spiritual gifts,_ and sufficiently instructed to justify leaving them to their own resources for edification, Philip was called away to other fields of labor. We are now introduced to another of those minutely detailed cases of conversion... [ Continue Reading ]

Acts 8:27

27, 28. Philip promptly obeyed the command of the angel, and was soon in close proximity to the intended convert, though, as yet, he knew nothing of him. (27) "_He arose and went; and behold a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all... [ Continue Reading ]

Acts 8:29

29. Just as Philip entered the road to which he had been directed by the angel, and saw the chariot before him, the Holy Spirit began to work for the conversion of the treasurer. And where does he begin his work? In the heart of the sinner, by direct communication? No. Like the angel, he begins with... [ Continue Reading ]

Acts 8:30

30. The purpose of the angel's visit and the Spirit's miraculous communication was now accomplished. (30) "_Then Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the Prophet Isaiah, and said, Do you understand what you are reading?_" Considering the relative position of the parties, one an humble footman, a... [ Continue Reading ]

Acts 8:31

31-35. The man's response was definite and satisfactory. (31) "_And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him._ (32) _Now the place of the Scripture which he was reading was this: He was led as a sheep to slaughter, and as a lamb silent be... [ Continue Reading ]

Acts 8:36

36. "_And as they went along the road, they came to certain water. And the eunuch said, What hinders me to be immersed?_" The appearance of the water to which they had come suggested this question, but it could not have been done so unless the eunuch had been taught something concerning immersion as... [ Continue Reading ]

Acts 8:37

37. By almost universal consent of recent critics, the whole of this verse is excluded from the original text, and should be from all versions. For the reasons on which this decision is based, we refer the reader to "Bloomfield's Commentary" on the passage, "Tregelles' History of the Printed Text,... [ Continue Reading ]

Acts 8:38

38, 39. When Philip ascertained that the eunuch believed in the Lord Jesus, and desired to obey him, there was no delay, but his desire to be immersed was immediately gratified. (38) "_And he commanded the chariot to stand still, and they went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he... [ Continue Reading ]

Acts 8:40

40. The historian brings the present section of his narrative to a close by a brief notice of the subsequent labors of Philip. (40) "_But Philip was found at Azotus; and, passing along, he preached the gospel in all the cities till he came to Cæsarea._" The town of Azotus, the Ashdod of the Old Test... [ Continue Reading ]

Continues after advertising

Old Testament