1.
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.
consenting unto = approving of. Greek. suneu-dokeo. Only here, Acts 22:20 . Luke 11:48 . Romans 1:32 . 1Co 7:12 , 1 Corinthians 7:13 . Compare John 16:2
death. Greek. anairesis = taking off. Only here and Acts 22:20 Compare anaireo, Acts 2:23 , &c. This clause belongs to the previous chapter.
at = en. App-104
time = day
was = arose
church. App-186
scattered abroad. Greek. diaspeiro. Only here, Acts 8:4 ; Acts 11:19 . Compare diaspora. James 1:1 . 1 Peter 1:1
throughout. Greek. kata. App-104
regions = districts
except. Greek. plen.
the apostles. They remained at the center of affairs, to watch over the infant assemblies Compare Acts 8:14 . See App-189
2.
And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.
devout. Greek. eulabes. See note on Acts 2:5 .
carried . . . to his burial. Literally carried away together Greek. sunkomizo Only here.
lamentation. Greek. kopetos. Only here.
3.
As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
4.
Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.
Therefore, &c. = They therefore indeed.
went every where. Lit passed through. Greek. dierchomai. Occ forty-three times, thirty-one times in Luke and Acts.
preaching. Greek. euangelizo. App-121 .
word. Greek. logos. App-121 .
5.
Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
preached. Greek. kerusso. App-121 .
Christ. i.e. the Messiah App-98 .
unto = to
6.
And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
people = crowds. Greek. ochlos.
with one accord. Greek. homothumadon. See note on Acts 1:14 .
gave heed. Same word as "take heed in Acts 5:35 , and "attended" in Acts 16:14 .
which Philip spake = spoken by hupo. App-104 Philip.
hearing, &c. Literally in that they heard and saw (Greek. blepo. App-133 )
miracles = Greek. semeion. App-176
did = was doing
7.
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.
spirits. App-101
taken with palsies = paralytic. Greek. paraluomai. Only here, Acts 9:33 Luke 5:18 , Luke 5:24 .Hebrews 12:12 . (feeble)
healed. Greek. therapeuo. App-137
8.
And there was great joy in that city.
was = came to be.
9.
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:
certain. Greek. tis. App-123 .
called. Literally by name
beforetime . . . used sorcery Literally before was (Greek. prouparcho Luke 23:12 ) practicing magic (Greek. mageuo, to act as a magos. Only here. Compare Acts 13:6 , Acts 13:8 . Matthew 2:1 , Matthew 2:7 , Matthew 2:16 ).
same. Omit
and bewitched = bewitching Greek. existemi, to drive out of one's senses. In middle voice, to be amazed. Compare Acts 2:7 , Acts 2:12 .Mark 3:21 2 Corinthians 5:13
people. Greek. ethnos, nation
giving out = saying
some = a certain tis. App-123
10.
To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.
from. Greek. apo . App-104 .
least, &c. Literally little unto great.
This man = This one.
power. Greek. dunamis. App-172 .
God App-98 . He thus assumed to be the Divine Logos. Compare 1 Corinthians 1:24 .
11.
And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
12.
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.
believed. App-150 .
the things. The texts omit.
concerning. Greek. peri . App-104 .
the kingdom of God. App-112 and App-114 .
name. Compare Acts 3:6 .
Jesus Christ. App-98 .
baptized. App-115 .
13.
Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
believed also = also believed. App-150 .
continued = was continuing. Greek. proskartereo. See note on Acts 1:14 .
wondered = was amazed, or dumbfounded. Middle of existemi. Compare "bewitched", Acts 8:9 .
beholding. Greek. theoreo. App-133 .
miracles. Greek. dunamis. App-176 .
signs. Greek. semeion. App-176 . The Authorized Version reverses the translation here. "Miracles and signs" should be "signs and powers, or mighty works". The texts add "great".
14.
Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
sent. Greek. apostello. App-174 .
15.
Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
prayed. Greek. proseuchomai. App-134 .
for = concerning. Greek. peri , as in Acts 8:12 .
the Holy Ghost = holy spirit. Greek. pneuma hagion. No article. App-101 .
16.
(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
none = no one. Greek. oudeis. There is a double negative in the sentence.
were = had been. Greek. huparcho See Luke 9:48 .
baptized in = baptized into. App-115 .
Jesus. App-98 . See App-185 .
17.
Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
on = upon. Greek. epi. App-104 .
received = were receiving, i.e. continuing to receive.
18.
And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
19.
Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
power = authority. Greek. exousia. App-172 .
that = in order that. Greek. hina.
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.
perish. Literally be unto (Greek. eis) destruction (Greek. apoleia) . See John 17:12 . Peter's indignant words are an instance of Figure of speech Apodioxis. App-6 .
with. Greek. sun . App-104 .
that, &c. = to purchase.
gift = free gift. Greek. dorea. See Acts 2:38 .
with = through. Greek. diet. App-104 .Acts 8:1 .
21.
Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
22.
Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
Repent. Greek. metanoeo. App-111 .
of = from. Greek. apo.
wickedness. Greek. kakia. App-128 .
pray. Greek. deomai. App-134 .
God. App-98 . The texts read "Lord".
if. Greek. ei. App-118 .
thought. Greek. epinoia. Only here.
may = shall.
forgiven. Greek. aphiemi. App-174 .
23.
For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
perceive = see. Greek. horao. App-133 .
gall. Greek. chole. Only here and Matthew 27:34 . Compare Deuteronomy 29:18 .
bitterness. Greek. pikria. Here, Romans 3:14 .Ephesians 4:31 .Hebrews 12:15 .
bond. Greek. sundesmos. Here, Ephesians 4:3 .Colossians 2:19 ; Colossians 3:14 . A medical word for a ligature.
iniquity. Greek. adikia. App-128 .
24.
Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.
answered, &c. App-122 .
to. Greek. pros.
none = not one. Greek. medeis.
upon. Greek. epi. App-104 . From this incident comes the term "simony" for traffic in sacred things.
25.
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 they. Literally They indeed therefore.
testified . Greek. diamarturomai, i.e. fulfilled their testimony. Compare Acts 2:40 .
preached = spoke. Greek. laleo. App-121 .
preached the gospel in = evangelized. Greek. euangelizo. App-121 .
villages. Once John had wished to call down fire from heaven on a Samaritan village. Luke 9:54 .
26.
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 = But.
the = an.
spake. Greek. laleo, as Acts 8:25 .
Arise. Greek. anistemi. App-178 .
towards = down to. Greek. kata . App-104 .
unto. Greek. epi.
unto. Greek. eis. App-104 .
Gaza. One of the five cities of the Philistines; destroyed by Alexander.
27.
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,
behold. Greek. idou. App-133 .
of great authority = a potentate. Greek. dunastes. App-98 .
under = of.
Candace. A title of the queens of Ethiopia. Compare Pharaoh.
queen. Greek. basilissa. Only here, Matthew 12:42 .Luke 11:31 .Revelation 18:7 .
had the charge of = was over (Greek. epi . App-104 .)
treasure. Greek. gaza. Only here.
worship. Greek. proskuneo. App-137 .
28.
Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
in = upon. Greek. epi . App-104 .
29.
Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
Then = And.
the Spirit , i.e. the angel. App-101 .
join thyself. Greek. kollaomai. See note on Acts 5:13 .
30.
And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
And. Same as "Then", Acts 8:29 .
ran thither to him, and. Literally having run up.
Understandest. Greek. ginosko. App-132 . Figure of speech Paregmenon. App-6 . "Read" is anaginosko.
31.
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.
except. Literally If ( App-118 .) . . . not ( App-105 ).
some man = some one. Greek. tis . App-123 .
guide me = lead me in the way. Greek. hodegeo. Only here, Matthew 15:14 .Luke 6:39 . John 16:13 .Revelation 7:17 .
desired = besought. Greek. parakaleo. App-134 .
32.
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:
The place = Now the context. Greek. perioche. Only here. Quoted from Isaiah 53:7 , almost word for word from the Septuagint
slaughter. Greek. sphage. Only here, Romans 8:36 . James 5:5 .
lamb. Greek. amnos. See note on John 1:29 .
dumb. Greek. aphonos, voiceless. Only here, 1Co 12:2 ; 1 Corinthians 14:10 . 2 Peter 2:16 . The usual word in the Gospels is kophos.
his shearer = the one shearing (Greek. keiro) him.
33.
In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.
humiliation = low estate. Referring to the whole period of His life on earth. Greek. tapeinosis. Only here, Luke 1:48 . Philippians 1:3 , Philippians 1:21 .James 1:10 .
judgment. Greek. krisis. App-177 .
declare = tell. Greek. diegeomai. Only here, Acts 9:27 ; Acts 12:17 . Mark 5:16 ; Mark 9:9 . Luke 8:39 ; Luke 9:10 . Hebrews 11:32 .
generation = posterity. Greek. genea. Compare Matthew 1:17 . See also Daniel 9:26 , "have nothing" (Revised Version) John 12:24 , "alone".
for = because.
life. Greek. zoe. App-170 .
earth. Greek. ge. App-129 .
34.
And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?
35.
Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
Then = But.
opened his mouth. A Hebraism. Figure of speech Idioma. App-6 .
at = from. Greek. apo. App-104 .
the same = this.
36.
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?
On = down. Greek. kata. App-104 .
See = Behold. Greek. idou. App-133 .
37.
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.
Most texts omit this verse. The Revised Version puts it in the margin.
with = out of. Greek. ek.
Son. Greek. huios . App-108 . See also App-98 .
38.
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.
into. Greek. eis.
39.
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.
Out of. Greek. ek. App-104 .
saw. Greek. eidon. App-133 .
no more. Greek. ouk ouketi, a double negative.
and = for. Supply ellipsis , taught by the Spirit, he needed him not.
went on his way = went his way.
rejoicing. Compare Acts 8:8 .
40.
But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.
was found = was carried to, and found. A constructioproegnans.
at = to. Greek. eis. App-104 .
Azotus. = Ashdod. See Joshua 11:22 .
till. Greek. heos.
Caeserea. Not Caesarea Philippi (Matthew 16:13 ), but the place on the coast, between Carmel and Joppa. It was built by Herod, and called Caesarea Sebaste, in honour of Augustus (Greek. Sebastoa) Caesar. Herod built a mole or breakwater, so as to make a harbour (Josephus, Antiquities XVI, 8, 1). Now a ruin.