Acts 8 (NET)

1 And Saul agreed completely with killing1 him.

Saul Begins to Persecute the Church

Now on that day a great2 persecution began3 against the church in Jerusalem,4 and all5 except the apostles were forced to scatter throughout the regions6 of Judea and Samaria. 2 Some7 devout men buried Stephen and made loud lamentation8 over him.9 3 But Saul was trying to destroy10 the church; entering one house after another, he dragged off11 both men and women and put them in prison.12

Philip Preaches in Samaria

4 Now those who had been forced to scatter went around proclaiming the good news of the word. 5 Philip went down to the main city of Samaria13 and began proclaiming14 the Christ15 to them. 6 The crowds were paying attention with one mind to what Philip said,16 as they heard and saw the miraculous signs17 he was performing. 7 For unclean spirits,18 crying with loud shrieks, were coming out of many who were possessed,19 and many paralyzed and lame people were healed. 8 So there was20 great joy21 in that city.

9 Now in that city was a man named Simon, who had been practicing magic22 and amazing the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great. 10 All the people,23 from the least to the greatest, paid close attention to him, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called ‘Great.’”24 11 And they paid close attention to him because he had amazed them for a long time with his magic. 12 But when they believed Philip as he was proclaiming the good news about the kingdom of God25 and the name of Jesus Christ,26 they began to be baptized,27 both men and women. 13 Even Simon himself believed, and after he was baptized, he stayed close to28 Philip constantly, and when he saw the signs and great miracles that were occurring, he was amazed.29

14 Now when the apostles in Jerusalem30 heard that Samaria had accepted the word31 of God, they sent32 Peter and John to them. 15 These two33 went down and prayed for them so that they would receive the Holy Spirit. 16 (For the Spirit34 had not yet come upon35 any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)36 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on the Samaritans,37 and they received the Holy Spirit.38

18 Now Simon, when he saw that the Spirit39 was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power40 too, so that everyone I place my hands on may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you,41 because you thought you could acquire42 God’s gift with money! 21 You have no share or part43 in this matter44 because your heart is not right before God! 22 Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord45 that he may perhaps forgive you for the intent of your heart.46 23 For I see that you are bitterly envious47 and in bondage to sin.” 24 But Simon replied,48 “You pray to the Lord for me so that nothing of what you have said may happen to49 me.”

25 So after Peter and John50 had solemnly testified51 and spoken the word of the Lord,52 they started back to Jerusalem, proclaiming53 the good news to many Samaritan villages54 as they went.55

Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch

26 Then an angel of the Lord56 said to Philip,57 “Get up and go south58 on the road that goes down from Jerusalem59 to Gaza.” (This is a desert60 road.)61 27 So62 he got up63 and went. There64 he met65 an Ethiopian eunuch,66 a court official of Candace,67 queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasury. He68 had come to Jerusalem to worship,69 28 and was returning home, sitting70 in his chariot, reading71 the prophet Isaiah. 29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran up72 to it73 and heard the man74 reading Isaiah the prophet. He75 asked him,76 “Do you understand what you’re reading?” 31 The man77 replied, “How in the world can I,78 unless someone guides me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage of scripture the man79 was reading was this:

“He was led like a sheep to slaughter,

and like a lamb before its shearer is silent,

so he did80 not open his mouth.

33 In humiliation81 justice was taken from him.82

Who can describe his posterity?83

For his life was taken away84 from the earth.”85

34 Then the eunuch said86 to Philip, “Please tell me,87 who is the prophet saying this about – himself or someone else?”88 35 So Philip started speaking,89 and beginning with this scripture90 proclaimed the good news about Jesus to him. 36 Now as they were going along the road, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look, there is water! What is to stop me91 from being baptized?” 37 [[EMPTY]]92 38 So he ordered the chariot to stop, and both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water,93 and Philip baptized94 him. 39 Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him any more, but95 went on his way rejoicing.96 40 Philip, however, found himself97 at Azotus,98 and as he passed through the area,99 he proclaimed the good news100 to all the towns101 until he came to Caesarea.102

18:1tn The term ἀναίρεσις (anairesi") can refer to murder (BDAG 64 s.v.; 2 Macc 5:13; Josephus, Ant. 5.2.12 [5.165]). 28:1tn Or “severe.” 38:1tn Grk “Now there happened on that day a great persecution.” It is less awkward to say in English “Now on that day a great persecution began.” 48:1map For location see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; JP1-F4; JP2-F4; JP3-F4; JP4-F4. 58:1sn All. Given that the Jerusalem church is still active after this and that the Hellenists are the focus of Acts 6-8, it is possible to argue that only the Hellenistic Christians were forced to scatter. 68:1tn Or “countryside.” 78:2tn “Some” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. 88:2sn Made loud lamentation. For someone who was stoned to death, lamentation was normally not allowed (m. Sanhedrin 6:6). The remark points to an unjust death. 98:2tn Or “mourned greatly for him.” 108:3tn Or “began to harm [the church] severely.” If the nuance of this verb is “destroy,” then the imperfect verb ἐλυμαίνετο (elumaineto) is best translated as a conative imperfect as in the translation above. If instead the verb is taken to mean “injure severely” (as L&N 20.24), it should be translated in context as an ingressive imperfect (“began to harm the church severely”). Either option does not significantly alter the overall meaning, since it is clear from the stated actions of Saul in the second half of the verse that he intended to destroy or ravage the church. 118:3tn The participle σύρων (surwn) has been translated as an finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style. 128:3tn BDAG 762 s.v. παραδίδωμι 1.b has “εἰς φυλακήν put in prison Ac 8:3.” 138:5tn The word “main” is supplied in the translation to clarify that “Samaria” is not the name of the city (at least in NT times). See both BDAG 912 s.v. Σαμάρεια, and L&N 93.568.sn The main city of Samaria most likely refers to the principal city of Samaria, rebuilt by Herod the Great as Sebaste in honor of Augustus (J. Boehmer, “Studien zur Geographie Palästinas bes. im Neuen Testament,” ZNW 9 [1908]: 216-18; D. Gill and C. Gempf, eds., The Book of Acts in its Graeco-Roman Setting, 272). This is the best option if the article before “city” is taken as original. If the reading without the article is taken as original, then another city may be in view: Gitta, the hometown of Simon Magus according to Justin Martyr (cf. C. K. Barrett, Acts [ICC], 1:402-3; F. F. Bruce, Acts [NICNT], 165). 148:5tn The imperfect ἐκήρυσσεν (ekhrussen) has been translated as an ingressive, since this is probably the first time such preaching took place. 158:5tn Or “Messiah”; both “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew and Aramaic) mean “one who has been anointed.”sn See the note on Christ in 2:31. 168:6tn Grk “to what was being said by Philip,” a passive construction that has been changed to active voice in the translation. 178:6tn Here the following context indicates the miraculous nature of the signs mentioned. This term appears 13 times in Acts, but only twice more after Acts 8:13 (i.e., 14:3; 15:12). 188:7sn The expression unclean spirits refers to evil supernatural spirits which were ceremonially unclean, and which caused the persons possessed by them to be ceremonially unclean. 198:7tn Grk “For [in the case of] many who had unclean spirits, they were coming out, crying in a loud voice.” 208:8tn Grk “and there came about,” but this is somewhat awkward in English. 218:8sn Great joy. The reason for eschatological joy was that such events pointed to God’s decisive deliverance (Luke 7:22-23). Note how the acts of healing extend beyond the Twelve here. 228:9tn On the idiom προϋπῆρχεν μαγεύων (prouphrcen mageuwn) meaning “had been practicing magic” see BDAG 889 s.v. προϋπάρχω. 238:10tn Grk “all of them”; the referent (the people) has been specified in the translation for clarity. 248:10tn Or “This man is what is called the Great Power of God.” The translation “what is called the Great Power of God” is given by BDAG 263 s.v. δύναμις 5, but the repetition of the article before καλουμένη μεγάλη (kaloumenh megalh) suggests the translation “the power of God that is called ‘Great.’” 258:12sn The kingdom of God is also what Jesus preached: Acts 1:3. The term reappears in 14:22; 19:8; 28:23, 31. 268:12tn Or “Messiah”; both “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew and Aramaic) mean “one who has been anointed.” 278:12tn The imperfect verb ἐβαπτίζοντο (ebaptizonto) has been translated as an ingressive imperfect. 288:13tn Or “he kept close company with.” 298:13sn He was amazed. Now Simon, the one who amazed others, is himself amazed, showing the superiority of Philip’s connection to God. Christ is better than anything the culture has to offer. 308:14map For location see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; JP1-F4; JP2-F4; JP3-F4; JP4-F4. 318:14tn Or “message.” 328:14sn They sent. The Jerusalem church with the apostles was overseeing the expansion of the church, as the distribution of the Spirit indicates in vv. 15-17. 338:15tn Grk “who.” The relative pronoun was replaced by the phrase “these two” and a new sentence was begun in the translation at this point to improve the English style. 348:16tn Grk “For he”; the referent (the Spirit) has been specified in the translation for clarity. 358:16tn Or “fallen on.” 368:16sn This is a parenthetical note by the author. 378:17tn Grk “on them”; the referent (the Samaritans) has been specified in the translation for clarity. 388:17sn They received the Holy Spirit. It is likely this special distribution of the Spirit took place because a key ethnic boundary was being crossed. Here are some of “those far off” of Acts 2:38-40. 398:18tc Most witnesses (Ì^45,74 A* C D E Ψ 33 1739 Ï latt sy bo) here read “the Holy Spirit” (τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον, to pneuma to {agion), while a few key mss have simply τὸ πνεῦμα (א A^c B sa mae). Although it is possible that some scribes omitted τὸ ἅγιον because of its perceived superfluity (note vv. 15, 17, 19), it is far more likely that others added the adjective out of pious motives. 408:19tn Or “ability”; Grk “authority.” 418:20tn Grk “May your silver together with you be sent into destruction.” This is a strong curse. The gifts of God are sovereignly bestowed and cannot be purchased. 428:20tn Or “obtain.” 438:21tn The translation “share or part” is given by L&N 63.13. 448:21tn Since the semantic range for λόγος (logos) is so broad, a number of different translations could be given for the prepositional phrase here. Something along the lines of “in this thing” would work well, but is too colloquial for the present translation. 458:22tn Or “and implore the Lord.” 468:22tn Grk “that if possible the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.” The passive construction is somewhat awkward in contemporary English and has thus been converted to an active construction in the translation. 478:23tn Grk “in the gall of bitterness,” an idiom meaning to be particularly envious or resentful of someone. In this case Simon was jealous of the apostles’ power to bestow the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands, and wanted that power for himself. The literal phrase does not convey this to the modern reader, and in fact some modern translations have simply rendered the phrase as involving bitterness, which misses the point of the envy on Simon’s part. See L&N 88.166. The OT images come from Deut 29:17-18 and Isa 58:6. 488:24tn Grk “Simon answered and said.”sn Given that Simon does not follow Peter’s call for repentance, many interpreters read this reply as flippant rather than sincere. But the exact nature of Simon’s reply is not entirely clear. 498:24tn Grk “may come upon.” 508:25tn Grk “after they”; the referents (Peter and John) have been specified in the translation for clarity. 518:25tn The verb διαμαρτύρομαι (diamarturomai) can mean “warn,” and could be taken to refer specifically to the warning given to Simon in the preceding verses. However, a more general reference is more likely, referring to parting exhortations from Peter and John to the entire group of believers. 528:25sn The word of the Lord is a technical expression in OT literature, often referring to a divine prophetic utterance (e.g., Gen 15:1, Isa 1:10, Jonah 1:1). In the NT it occurs 15 times: 3 times as ῥῆμα τοῦ κυρίου (rJhma tou kuriou; Luke 22:61, Acts 11:16, 1 Pet 1:25) and 12 times as λόγος τοῦ κυρίου (logo" tou kuriou; here and in Acts 13:44, 48, 49; 15:35, 36; 16:32; 19:10, 20; 1 Thess 1:8, 4:15; 2 Thess 3:1). As in the OT, this phrase focuses on the prophetic nature and divine origin of what has been said. 538:25tn Grk “they were returning to Jerusalem and were proclaiming.” The first imperfect is taken ingressively and the second is viewed iteratively (“proclaiming…as they went”). 548:25sn By proclaiming the good news to many Samaritan villages, the apostles now actively share in the broader ministry the Hellenists had started. 558:25tn “As they went” is not in the Greek text, but is implied by the imperfect tense (see tn above). 568:26tn Or “the angel of the Lord.” See the note on the word “Lord” in 5:19. 578:26tn Grk “Lord spoke to Philip, saying.” The redundant participle λέγων (legwn) has not been translated. 588:26tn Or “Get up and go about noon.” The phrase κατὰ μεσημβρίαν (kata meshmbrian) can be translated either “about noon” (L&N 67.74) or “toward the south” (L&N 82.4). Since the angel’s command appears to call for immediate action (“Get up”) and would not therefore need a time indicator, a directional reference (“toward the south”) is more likely here. 598:26map For the location of Jerusalem see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; JP1-F4; JP2-F4; JP3-F4; JP4-F4. 608:26tn Or “wilderness.” 618:26tn The words “This is a desert road” are probably best understood as a comment by the author of Acts, but it is possible they form part of the angel’s speech to Philip, in which case the verse would read: “Get up and go south on the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza – the desert road.”sn The concluding note about the road appears to be a parenthetical note by the author. 628:27tn Grk “And,” but καί (kai) carries something of a resultative force in this context because what follows describes Philip’s response to the angel’s command. 638:27tn Grk “So getting up he went.” The aorist participle ἀναστάς (anastas) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style. 648:27tn Grk “And there.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here. 658:27tn Grk “and behold.” This expression is used to portray Philip’s encounter with the Ethiopian in a vivid way. In the English translation this vividness is difficult to convey; it is necessary to supply the words “he met.” 668:27sn The term eunuch normally referred to a man who had been castrated, but this was not always the case (see Gen 39:1 LXX, where Potiphar is called a eunuch). Such castrated individuals were preferred as court officials in the East, although Judaism opposed the practice. The Mosaic law excluded eunuchs from Israel (Deut 23:1), although God certainly accepted them (Isa 56:3-5; Wis 3:14). This individual was a high official, since he was said to be in charge of all her treasury. He may or may not have been a eunuch physically. He appears to be the first fully Gentile convert to Christianity, since the Samaritans mentioned previously (Acts 8:4-25) were regarded as half-breeds. 678:27tn Or “the Candace” (the title of the queen of the Ethiopians). The term Κανδάκης (Kandakh") is much more likely a title rather than a proper name (like Pharaoh, which is a title); see L&N 37.77. A few, however, still take the word to be the name of the queen (L&N 93.209). BDAG 507 s.v. Κανδάκη, treats the term as a title and lists classical usage by Strabo (Geography 17.1.54) and others.sn Candace was the title of the queen of the Ethiopians. Ethiopia refers to the kingdom of Nubia in the northern Sudan, whose capital was Meroe (not to be confused with Abyssinia, which was later called Ethiopia and converted to Christianity in the 4th century a.d.). Classical writers refer to several queens of Meroe in the 1st century b.c. and 1st century a.d. who had the title Candace (Kandake). The Candace referred to here was probably Amantitere, who ruled a.d. 25-41. 688:27tn Grk “who was over all her treasury, who.” The two consecutive relative clauses make for awkward English style, so the second was begun as a new sentence with the pronoun “he” supplied in place of the Greek relative pronoun to make a complete sentence in English. 698:27sn Since this man had come to Jerusalem to worship, he may have been a proselyte to Judaism. This event is a precursor to Acts 10. 708:28tn Grk “and was sitting.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here. 718:28tn Grk “and was reading.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.sn The fact that this man was reading from a scroll (an expensive item in the first century) indicates his connection to a wealthy house. 728:30tn The participle προσδραμών (prosdramwn) is regarded as attendant circumstance. 738:30tn The words “to it” are not in the Greek text but are implied. 748:30tn Grk “heard him”; the referent (the man) has been specified in the translation for clarity. 758:30tn Grk “and he.” Because of the length of the Greek sentence, the conjunction καί (kai) has not been translated here. Instead a new English sentence is begun. 768:30tn Grk “he said”; but since what follows is a question, it is better English style to translate the introduction to the question “he asked him.” 778:31tn Grk “He”; the referent (the man) has been specified in the translation for clarity. 788:31tn Grk “How am I able, unless…” The translation is based on the force of the conjunction γάρ (gar) in this context. The translation “How in the world can I?” is given in BDAG 189 s.v. γάρ 1.f. 798:32tn Grk “he”; the referent (the man) has been specified in the translation for clarity. 808:32tn Grk “does.” The present tense here was translated as a past tense to maintain consistency with the first line of the quotation (“he was led like a sheep to slaughter”), which has an aorist passive verb normally translated as a past tense in English. 818:33tc ‡ Most later mss (C E Ψ 33^vid Ï sy) read “In his humiliation,” adding αὐτοῦ (autou, “his”) after ταπεινώσει (tapeinwsei, “humiliation”), while the earlier and better witnesses lack the pronoun (so Ì⁷⁴ א A B 1739 pc lat). However, the LXX of Isa 53:8 also lacks the pronoun, supplying motivation for scribes to omit it here. At the same time, scribes would also be motivated to add the pronoun both for clarity’s sake (note the similar impulse that led to the addition of δέ [de] by many of the same mss at the beginning of the next line) and to give balance to the lines (the pronoun is indisputably used five other times in vv. 32-33 in quoting Isa 53). On balance, the shorter reading is preferred. 828:33tn Or “justice was denied him”; Grk “his justice was taken away.” 838:33tn Or “family; or “origin.” The meaning of γενεά (genea) in the quotation is uncertain; BDAG 192 s.v. γενεά 4 suggests “family history.”sn The rhetorical question suggests the insensitivity of this generation for its act against God’s servant, who was slain unjustly as he was silent. 848:33tn Grk “is taken away.” The present tense here was translated as a past tense to maintain consistency with the rest of the quotation. 858:33sn A quotation from Isa 53:7-8. 868:34tn Grk “answered and said.” The redundant participle ἀποκριθείς (apokriqei") has not been translated. 878:34tn Grk “I beg you,” “I ask you.” 888:34sn About himself, or about someone else? It is likely in 1st century Judaism this would have been understood as either Israel or Isaiah. 898:35tn Grk “opening his mouth” (a Semitic idiom for beginning to speak in a somewhat formal manner). The participle ἀνοίξας (anoixa") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style. 908:35sn Beginning with this scripture. The discussion likely included many of the scriptures Acts has already noted for the reader in earlier speeches. At the least, readers of Acts would know what other scriptures might be meant. 918:36tn Or “What prevents me.” The rhetorical question means, “I should get baptized, right?” 928:37tc A few later mss (E 36 323 453 945 1739 1891 pc) add, with minor variations, 8:37 “He said to him, ‘If you believe with your whole heart, you may.’ He replied, ‘I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.’” Verse 37 is lacking in {Ì^45,74 א A B C 33 614 vg sy^p,h co}. It is clearly not a part of the original text of Acts. The variant is significant in showing how some in the early church viewed a confession of faith. The present translation follows NA²⁷ in omitting the verse number, a procedure also followed by a number of other modern translations. 938:38tn Grk “and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch.” Since this is somewhat redundant in English, it was simplified to “and both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water.” 948:38sn Philip baptized. Again, someone beyond the Twelve has ministered an ordinance of faith. 958:39tn BDAG 189 s.v. γάρ 2 indicates that under certain circumstances γάρ (gar) has the same meaning as δέ (de). 968:39sn Note that the response to the gospel is rejoicing (joy, cf. Acts 11:23; 13:48). 978:40tn Or “appeared.” 988:40sn Azotus was a city on the coast of southern Palestine, known as Ashdod in OT times. 998:40tn The words “the area” are not in the Greek text but are implied. 1008:40tn Or “he preached the gospel.” 1018:40tn Or “cities.” 1028:40sn Caesarea was a city on the coast of Palestine south of Mount Carmel (not Caesarea Philippi). See the note on Caesarea in Acts 10:1.map For location see Map2-C1; Map4-B3; Map5-F2; Map7-A1; JP1-F4; JP2-F4; JP3-F4; JP4-F4.