Verse-by-Verse Commentary
The Book of Acts
Chapter 8: The Gospel Spreads
Persecution scatters the church, but the scattering only spreads the fire. Philip preaches Christ in Samaria with great joy and many are baptized, yet they must still receive the promised Holy Spirit, and Peter and John are sent that they might. Simon the sorcerer, dazzled by the power, tries to buy it with money and is sharply rebuked. Then Philip is sent to a lonely road to preach Jesus to an Ethiopian official reading Isaiah, who believes and is baptized on the spot. Acts 8 shows the gospel breaking every barrier, carrying the Apostolic pattern of faith, baptism, and the gift of the Spirit.
About This Commentary
This is a verse-by-verse study of Acts chapter 8. For each section you will find the KJV text, word studies that sharpen the meaning, plain explanation, and a Gospel Focus. The scattered church carries the gospel to Samaria and beyond. Every Scripture quotation is from the King James Version.
Setting the Stage
Preaching Everywhere
Persecution after Stephen's death scatters the believers, but everywhere they go they preach the word, and Philip brings the gospel to Samaria with great joy.
Samaria Receives
Though the Samaritans had believed and been baptized, they had not yet received the Holy Spirit; Peter and John are sent, and through the laying on of hands they receive Him.
Simon the Sorcerer
Simon, a former sorcerer, tries to buy the power to give the Spirit and is sharply rebuked: the gift of God cannot be purchased, and his heart is not right before God.
The Eunuch Baptized
Philip preaches Jesus to an Ethiopian official from Isaiah 53, and the eunuch, believing, is baptized at once and goes on his way rejoicing.
Samaria Receives the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:14-17)
Believing and baptism are followed by the distinct reception of the Spirit.
That They Might Receive the Holy Spirit
"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."
Greek Study
The Samaritans had "believed" Philip and "were baptized... in the name of the Lord Jesus" -- yet Luke says the Holy Ghost "was fallen upon none of them" until the apostles came and laid hands on them and they "received" (elambanon) the Spirit. The passage distinguishes belief and water baptism from the reception of the Spirit as a definite, subsequent, recognizable event -- so recognizable that Simon saw it and coveted the power (v. 18). This is a key Apostolic text: receiving the Holy Ghost is an experience one can know has or has not yet happened, the promised gift of Acts 2:38-39.
Explanation
Persecution scatters the church, and Philip carries the gospel to Samaria -- the next ring outward in 1:8 -- with great joy and many baptisms. Yet the coming of the Spirit awaits the apostles' arrival, and God orders it so that the once-despised Samaritans are visibly joined to the one church through Peter and John, healing the ancient Jew-Samaritan breach. The account shows that water baptism, though commanded, is not by itself the whole of the new birth; the reception of the indwelling Spirit is a distinct gift, sought and received. God is knitting a divided people into one body by one Spirit.
Gospel Focus
This passage is precious to the Apostolic believer, for it shows the pattern of the New Testament experience. The Samaritans had heard the word, believed, and been "baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus", yet Luke is careful to note that the Holy Spirit "had fallen upon none of them" as yet. Baptism in water and the receiving of the Spirit are here shown as distinct, so that the apostles came specifically "that they might receive the Holy Spirit." This confirms what Peter had preached at Pentecost: repentance, baptism in Jesus' name, and the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). Notice also that something evident happened when they received Him; verse 18 says Simon "saw" that the Spirit was given, just as at Pentecost the reception of the Spirit was accompanied by a manifest sign. The full New Testament experience is not belief alone, nor baptism alone, but includes the baptism of the Holy Spirit that Jesus promised. The gospel that came to Samaria is the same gospel still: come to Christ, be baptized in His name, and receive the promised Spirit.
Simon the Sorcerer Rebuked (Acts 8:20-21)
A man tries to buy what only God can give, and Peter answers plainly.
Your Heart Is Not Right
"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."
Greek Study
Simon the sorcerer offers money to buy the power to bestow the Spirit, and Peter's rebuke is scorching: "Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money." The Spirit is dorea -- a free gift (the same word as 2:38, "the gift of the Holy Ghost") -- and cannot be bought, sold, or commercialized (the sin ever after called "simony"). Peter tells Simon his "heart is not right in the sight of God" and calls him to repent. The gift of God is received by grace through faith, never merchandised.
Explanation
Simon, who had amazed Samaria with sorcery and now professed faith, exposes his true heart by trying to buy the apostolic power he saw. Peter's stern words reveal that outward belief and baptism had not changed him -- he is still "in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity." The gift of God cannot be manipulated for personal power; it is received only by a heart made right with God. Peter's call to repentance shows that even a baptized professor may be unconverted, and that the Spirit is holy, not a commodity. True Apostolic power is never for sale or self-exaltation.
Gospel Focus
Simon had been a sorcerer who amazed Samaria, and though he "believed" and was baptized (verse 13), his heart was still bound by the love of power and money. When he saw the Spirit given, he offered money to buy the ability to bestow Him, and Peter's rebuke is severe: "Your money perish with you." The gift of God cannot be bought, earned, or controlled; it is grace, freely given, and any attempt to trade for it insults the God who gives it. Peter names the root: "your heart is not right in the sight of God." It is possible to believe in a shallow way, to be baptized, and even to be near the things of God, while the heart remains unchanged and captive to sin. Peter calls him to repent and pray for forgiveness (verse 22), for even such a heart is not beyond God's mercy if it truly turns. The lesson stands as a solemn warning: God looks on the heart, and no outward association with the church can substitute for a heart made right with Him.
The Ethiopian Eunuch Baptized (Acts 8:36-38)
A seeking heart hears the gospel and obeys it at once.
What Hinders Me from Being Baptized?
"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."
Greek Study
The Ethiopian eunuch, hearing the gospel from Isaiah 53, sees water and asks, "what doth hinder me to be baptized?" -- koluo, to prevent, forbid, stand in the way. Philip's condition is simple: "If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest," and the eunuch confesses, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." Then they go down into the water and Philip baptizes him -- immersion following faith at once. Nothing hinders the believing heart from baptism; the response to the gospel is immediate obedience in the water, in the name of Jesus.
Explanation
Philip, directed by the Spirit to a lone traveler, finds a God-fearing Ethiopian reading Isaiah 53 and "preached unto him Jesus" from that very passage -- the suffering Lamb led to the slaughter is Christ. The eunuch's instant response -- faith, confession, and baptism at the first water they pass -- models the Apostolic pattern: believe on the Son of God and be baptized without delay. He goes on his way "rejoicing," carrying the gospel toward Africa. The Spirit who orchestrated the meeting shows that the risen Christ seeks out the seeking heart, wherever the road leads, and brings it swiftly to faith and the waters of baptism.
Gospel Focus
Beginning "at this Scripture" in Isaiah 53, "Philip... preached unto him Jesus" (verse 35). And notice what preaching Jesus included: the eunuch's immediate response was, "See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?" To preach Jesus fully is to preach obedience to Him, including baptism; the eunuch clearly understood that receiving Christ meant being baptized without delay. His confession is the good confession of faith: "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." There was no waiting, no long probation; faith led straight to baptism, and "both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water," a picture of baptism by immersion. Then the eunuch "went on his way rejoicing" (verse 39). Here is the Apostolic pattern lived out on a desert road: the word preached, Christ believed, and baptism obeyed at once, followed by joy. The gospel had now reached a man from the ends of the earth, carrying salvation far beyond Jerusalem, exactly as Jesus had promised.
Chapter 8 in Review
Acts 8 shows the gospel breaking out beyond Jerusalem. Persecution scatters the church, but the scattered believers preach everywhere, and Philip brings Christ to Samaria with great joy. Though the Samaritans believed and were baptized in Jesus' name, they had not yet received the Holy Spirit, so Peter and John come, and through the laying on of hands they receive Him. Simon the sorcerer, trying to buy the power to give the Spirit, is sharply rebuked, for the gift of God cannot be purchased and his heart is not right. Then Philip preaches Jesus to an Ethiopian official from Isaiah, who believes, is baptized at once, and goes on his way rejoicing.
For the Apostolic reader, this chapter is rich with the pattern of salvation. Samaria shows that the full New Testament experience includes the distinct reception of the Holy Spirit that Jesus promised, following faith and baptism in His name. Simon warns that outward association with the church cannot replace a heart made right with God. And the eunuch shows the gospel obeyed without delay: Christ preached, believed, and immediately followed in baptism, bringing joy. The same gospel that spread from Jerusalem to Samaria to a desert road still calls every seeking heart to faith, baptism, and the gift of the Spirit.
- The Samaritans believed and were baptized, yet the Holy Spirit was received distinctly (Acts 8:16-17).
- This confirms the Apostolic pattern: faith, baptism in Jesus' name, and the gift of the Spirit (Acts 2:38).
- The gift of God cannot be bought; God looks on the heart, not outward association (Acts 8:20-21).
- To preach Jesus is to preach obedience; the eunuch was baptized at once and went on rejoicing.
Questions for Reflection
- Have you received the promised Holy Spirit, as the Samaritans did after believing and being baptized?
- Simon's heart was not right though he was baptized. Is your heart truly right before God?
- The eunuch obeyed the moment he believed. Is there an act of obedience to Christ you have delayed?
References & Sources
Scripture is quoted from the King James Version (KJV). Supporting passages are listed so every claim can be verified in its own setting. If anything here does not look right, a verse, a reference, or a wording, please tell us at info@FruitBearers.net. Thank you for helping us keep Bible Learning error free.
- The scattered church preaching; Philip in Samaria: Acts 8:1-8.
- Samaria baptized in Jesus' name and receiving the Spirit: Acts 8:12-17; 2:38.
- Simon rebuked for seeking to buy the gift of God: Acts 8:9-24.
- Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch; Jesus preached from Isaiah: Acts 8:26-39; Isaiah 53:7-8.
- The good confession that Jesus is the Son of God: Acts 8:37; 1 Timothy 6:12-13.