Acts 8
8
Saul Attempts to Destroy the Church
1 And Saul was agreeing with his murder. Now there happened on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2And devout men buried Stephen and made loud lamentation over him. 3But Saul was attempting to destroy the church. Entering house after house,#Literally “from house” to house he dragged off both men and women and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“dragged off”) has been translated as a finite verb delivered them#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation to prison.
Philip Proclaims Christ in Samaria
4Now those who had been scattered went about proclaiming the good news of the word. 5And Philip came down to the city of Samaria and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“came down”) has been translated as a finite verb began proclaiming#*The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began proclaiming”) the Christ#Or “Messiah” to them. 6And the crowds with one mind were paying attention to what was being said by Philip, as they heard him#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation and saw the signs that he was performing. 7For many of those who had unclean spirits, they were coming out of them,#*The words “of them” are supplied in the translation to indicate that the unclean spirits were coming out of the people crying out with a loud voice, and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. 8And there was great joy in that city.
Simon the Magician
9Now a certain man named#Literally “by name” Simon had been in the city practicing magic and astonishing the people of Samaria, saying he was someone great. 10They were all paying attention to him,#Literally “whom” from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called ‘Great.’ ” 11And they were paying attention to him because for a long time he had astonished them with his#*Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun magic. 12But when they believed Philip as he#*Here “as” is supplied as a component of the participle (“was proclaiming the good news”) which is understood as temporal was proclaiming the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were being baptized. 13And Simon himself also believed, and after he#*Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“was baptized”) which is understood as temporal was baptized he was keeping close company with#Literally “attaching himself to” Philip. And when he#*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as temporal saw the signs and great miracles that were taking place, he was astonished.
14Now when#*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard”) which is understood as temporal the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15who went down and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“went down”) has been translated as a finite verb prayed for them so that they would receive the Holy Spirit. 16(For he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized#Literally “but they were only having been baptized” in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17Then they placed their#*Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.
18Now Simon, when he#*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as temporal saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, offered them money, 19saying, “Give to me also this power, so that whomever I place my#*Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun hands on may receive the Holy Spirit!” 20But Peter said to him, “May your silver be destroyed along with you,#Literally “be for destruction with you” because you thought you could acquire#Literally “to acquire” the gift of God by means of money! 21You have no#Literally “there is for you no” part or share in this matter, because your heart is not right before God. 22Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and ask the Lord if perhaps the intent of your heart may be forgiven you!” 23For I see you are in a state of bitter envy#Literally “the gall of bitterness” and bound by unrighteousness.”#Literally “the fetter of unrighteousness” 24But Simon answered and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“answered”) has been translated as a finite verb said, “You pray to the Lord for me so that nothing of what you have said will come upon me.” 25So when#*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“had solemnly testified”) which is understood as temporal they had solemnly testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they turned back toward Jerusalem, and were proclaiming the good news to many villages of the Samaritans.
Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch
26Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Get up and go toward the south#Or “go about noon” on the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is a desert road.) 27And he got up and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“got up”) has been translated as a finite verb went, and behold, there was a man, an Ethiopian eunuch (a court official of Candace,#Or “the Candace” (the title of the queen of Ethiopia) queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasury) who had come to worship in Jerusalem 28and was returning and sitting in his chariot, and reading aloud the prophet Isaiah. 29And the Spirit said to Philip, “Approach and join this chariot.” 30So Philip ran up to it#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“ran up to”) has been translated as a finite verb heard him reading aloud Isaiah the prophet and said, “So then, do you understand what you are reading?” 31And he said, “So how could I, unless someone will guide me?” And he invited Philip to come up and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“come up”) has been translated as an infinitive sit with him. 32Now the passage of scripture that he was reading aloud was this:
“He was led like a sheep to the slaughter,
and like a lamb before its shearer is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
33In his#*Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun humiliation justice was taken from him.
Who can describe his descendants?#Or perhaps “family history”; literally “generation”
For his life was taken away from the earth.”#A quotation from Isa 53:7–8
34And the eunuch answered and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“answered”) has been translated as a finite verb said to Philip, “I ask you, about whom does the prophet say this—about himself or about someone else?” 35So Philip opened his mouth and beginning from this scripture, proclaimed the good news to him about Jesus. 36And as they were traveling down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?”#A few later manuscripts add v. 37, with minor variations: “He said to him, ‘If you believe with your whole heart, you may.’ And he answered and said, ‘I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.’ ” The verse is almost certainly not an original part of the text of Acts. 38And he ordered the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water—Philip and the eunuch—and he baptized him. 39And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him any longer, for he went on his way rejoicing. 40But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he#*Here “as” is supplied as a component of the participle (“passed through”) which is understood as temporal passed through, he proclaimed the good news to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.
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Acts 8
8
Simon the Wizard
1-2That set off a terrific persecution of the church in Jerusalem. The believers were all scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. All, that is, but the apostles. Good and brave men buried Stephen, giving him a solemn funeral—not many dry eyes that day!
3-8And Saul just went wild, devastating the church, entering house after house after house, dragging men and women off to jail. Forced to leave home base, the followers of Jesus all became missionaries. Wherever they were scattered, they preached the Message about Jesus. Going down to a Samaritan city, Philip proclaimed the Message of the Messiah. When the people heard what he had to say and saw the miracles, the clear signs of God’s action, they hung on his every word. Many who could neither stand nor walk were healed that day. The evil spirits protested loudly as they were sent on their way. And what joy in the city!
9-11Previous to Philip’s arrival, a certain Simon had practiced magic in the city, posing as a famous man and dazzling all the Samaritans with his wizardry. He had them all, from little children to old men, eating out of his hand. They all thought he had supernatural powers, and called him “the Great Wizard.” He had been around a long time and everyone was more or less in awe of him.
12-13But when Philip came to town announcing the news of God’s kingdom and proclaiming the name of Jesus Christ, they forgot Simon and were baptized, becoming believers right and left! Even Simon himself believed and was baptized. From that moment he was like Philip’s shadow, so fascinated with all the God-signs and miracles that he wouldn’t leave Philip’s side.
14-17When the apostles in Jerusalem received the report that Samaria had accepted God’s Message, they sent Peter and John down to pray for them to receive the Holy Spirit. Up to this point they had only been baptized in the name of the Master Jesus; the Holy Spirit hadn’t yet fallen on them. Then the apostles laid their hands on them and they did receive the Holy Spirit.
18-19When Simon saw that the apostles by merely laying on hands conferred the Spirit, he pulled out his money, excited, and said, “Sell me your secret! Show me how you did that! How much do you want? Name your price!”
20-23Peter said, “To hell with your money! And you along with it. Why, that’s unthinkable—trying to buy God’s gift! You’ll never be part of what God is doing by striking bargains and offering bribes. Change your ways—and now! Ask the Master to forgive you for trying to use God to make money. I can see this is an old habit with you; you reek with money-lust.”
24“Oh!” said Simon, “pray for me! Pray to the Master that nothing like that will ever happen to me!”
25And with that, the apostles were on their way, continuing to witness and spread the Message of God’s salvation, preaching in every Samaritan town they passed through on their return to Jerusalem.
The Ethiopian Eunuch
26-28Later God’s angel spoke to Philip: “At noon today I want you to walk over to that desolate road that goes from Jerusalem down to Gaza.” He got up and went. He met an Ethiopian eunuch coming down the road. The eunuch had been on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and was returning to Ethiopia, where he was minister in charge of all the finances of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. He was riding in a chariot and reading the prophet Isaiah.
29-30The Spirit told Philip, “Climb into the chariot.” Running up alongside, Philip heard the eunuch reading Isaiah and asked, “Do you understand what you’re reading?”
31-33He answered, “How can I without some help?” and invited Philip into the chariot with him. The passage he was reading was this:
As a sheep led to slaughter,
and quiet as a lamb being sheared,
He was silent, saying nothing.
He was mocked and put down, never got a fair trial.
But who now can count his kin
since he’s been taken from the earth?
34-35The eunuch said, “Tell me, who is the prophet talking about: himself or some other?” Philip grabbed his chance. Using this passage as his text, he preached Jesus to him.
36-39As they continued down the road, they came to a stream of water. The eunuch said, “Here’s water. Why can’t I be baptized?” He ordered the chariot to stop. They both went down to the water, and Philip baptized him on the spot. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of God suddenly took Philip off, and that was the last the eunuch saw of him. But he didn’t mind. He had what he’d come for and went on down the road as happy as he could be.
40Philip showed up in Azotus and continued north, preaching the Message in all the villages along that route until he arrived at Caesarea.
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THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved. Used by permission of NavPress. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers.