Acts 8
Disciples’ Literal New Testament
8 1 And Saul was giving-approval to his killing.
The Church Is Persecuted And Driven Out of Jerusalem
And a great persecution came about on that day against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all dispersed[a] throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 And reverent men carried-in Stephen [for burial], and made a loud lamentation over him. 3 And Saul was destroying[b] the church. Entering from house to house, dragging-away both men and women, he was handing them over to prison. 4 So indeed, the ones having been dispersed went about announcing the word as good news.
Philip Proclaims Christ And Does Miracles In Samaria. Many Are Baptized, Including Simon
5 Now Philip, having gone down to the city[c] of Samaria, was proclaiming the Christ to them. 6 And the crowds were with-one-accord paying-attention-to[d] the things being said by Philip, during their hearing and seeing the signs which he was doing. 7 For many of the ones having unclean spirits— they were coming out while shouting with a loud voice. And many paralyzed ones and lame ones were cured. 8 And there was great joy in that city. 9 Now a certain man, Simon by name, was-previously in the city practicing-magic and astonishing the nation of Samaria, saying that he was someone great, 10 to whom they all, from the small up to the great, were paying attention, saying, “This one is the Power[e] of God being called ‘Great’”. 11 And they were paying attention to him because he had astonished them for a considerable time with the magic-arts. 12 And when they believed Philip announcing-the-good-news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized— both men and women. 13 Now Simon himself also believed. And having been baptized, he was attaching-himself to Philip. He was astonished, seeing both signs and great miracles taking place.
Peter and John Come So The Samaritans Might Receive The Holy Spirit
14 And the apostles in Jerusalem, having heard that “Samaria has accepted the word of God”, sent-forth Peter and John to them— 15 who, having come down, prayed for them so that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For He had not yet fallen upon any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they were laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit. 18 Now Simon, having seen that the Spirit was given through the laying-on of the hands of the apostles, offered them money, 19 saying, “Give this authority to me also, so-that on whomever I lay on my hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit”. 20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver be with you for destruction, because you thought to acquire the gift of God with money. 21 There is no part nor share for you in this matter. For your heart is not straight before God. 22 Therefore repent from this evilness of yours, and pray to the Lord, if perhaps[f] the intention of your heart will be forgiven you. 23 For I see you being in the gall[g] of [h] bitterness and the bond[i] of [j] unrighteousness”. 24 And having responded, Simon said, “You[k] two pray to the Lord for me, so that nothing of the things which you have spoken may come upon me”. 25 So indeed the ones— having solemnly-testified, and having spoken the word of the Lord— were returning to Jerusalem and announcing-the-good-news-to many villages of the Samaritans.
An Angel Sends Philip Down The Road To an Ethiopian Eunuch Reading Isaiah
26 Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, “Arise and go toward the south[l] on the road going down from Jerusalem to Gaza”. This[m] is a wilderness [road]. 27 And having arisen, he proceeded. And behold— there was an Ethiopian man, a eunuch[n], a court-official of Candace[o] (queen of the Ethiopians), who was over all her treasury, who had come to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and was returning, and sitting on his chariot[p]. And he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 And the Spirit said to Philip, “Approach and join this chariot”. 30 And having run up, Philip heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, “Do you indeed understand the things which you are reading?” 31 And the one said, “How indeed might I be able, unless someone will guide me?” And he invited Philip to sit with him, having come up.
Philip Explains That Isaiah 53 Refers To Jesus
32 Now the passage of Scripture which he was reading was this: “He was led like a sheep to slaughter. And as a lamb before the one having sheared it is silent, so He does not open His mouth. 33 In His humiliation, His justice[q] was taken-away. Who will describe[r] His generation[s]? Because His life is taken-away from the earth” [Isa 53:7-8]. 34 And having responded, the eunuch said to Philip, “I ask you, about whom is the prophet saying this— about himself or about some other?” 35 And Philip— having opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture— announced Jesus as good news to him.
The Man Believes And Is Baptized, And Continues Home Rejoicing
36 And as they were proceeding along the road, they came upon some water. And the eunuch says, “Behold— water. What is preventing me from being baptized?” 37 [t] 38 And he ordered the chariot to stop. And they both went down into[u] the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 And when they came up out-of [v] the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away. And the eunuch did not see him any longer, for he was going his way rejoicing.
Philip Continues Announcing The Good News In Other Cities
40 And Philip was found at Azotus. And while going through, he was announcing-the-good-news-to all the cities until he came to Caesarea.
Footnotes
- Acts 8:1 Or, scattered.
- Acts 8:3 Or, inflicting outrages upon, inflicting personal injuries upon.
- Acts 8:5 That is, the main city (Sebaste, known as Samaria in the OT, and called such here to link this to 1:8); or, the main religious city (Neapolis, known as Shechem in the OT).
- Acts 8:6 Or, giving-heed-to.
- Acts 8:10 That is, the supernatural spirit-being from God.
- Acts 8:22 That is, in the hope that. Peter expresses some uncertainty about whether this will happen, for which he gives his reason in v 23, on which compare Deut 29:18-19.
- Acts 8:23 Or, poison, venom.
- Acts 8:23 That is, characterized by; a bitter gall, a bitter poison.
- Acts 8:23 That is, binding, fetter, chain.
- Acts 8:23 That is, proceeding from or belonging to.
- Acts 8:24 This word is plural, referring to Peter and John.
- Acts 8:26 toward the south. Or, at mid-day.
- Acts 8:26 Or, this explanation may continue as part of the angel’s words.
- Acts 8:27 That is, a castrated male.
- Acts 8:27 This is a title, like Pharaoh, not a name.
- Acts 8:28 That is, traveling chariot or carriage. Not a war or racing chariot.
- Acts 8:33 Or, judgment. That is, the justice due Him.
- Acts 8:33 Or, tell-of-in-detail.
- Acts 8:33 That is, His contemporaries who did this. Or, descendants; His posterity. Or, family; His origin.
- Acts 8:37 Some manuscripts add here, And Philip said to him, ‘If you believe from your whole heart, it is permitted’. And having responded, he said, ‘I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God’.
- Acts 8:38 Or, to.
- Acts 8:39 Or, from.
Acts 8
Legacy Standard Bible
Saul Persecutes the Church
8 (A)Now Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death.
And on that day a great persecution [a]began against (B)the church in Jerusalem, and they were all (C)scattered throughout the regions of Judea and (D)Samaria, except the apostles. 2 And some devout men buried Stephen and made loud lamentation over him. 3 But (E)Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and (F)dragging off men and women, he was delivering them into prison.
Philip Preaches in Samaria
4 Therefore, those (G)who had been scattered went about, (H)proclaiming the good news of the word. 5 (I)Now Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began preaching [b]Christ to them. 6 And the crowds with one accord were giving attention to what was being said by Philip, as they heard and saw the [c]signs which he was doing. 7 For in the case of many who had (J)unclean spirits, they were coming out of them shouting with a loud voice; and many who had been (K)paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 So there was (L)great joy in that city.
9 Now there was a man named Simon, who formerly was practicing (M)magic in the city and astounding the people of Samaria, (N)claiming to be someone great; 10 and they all, from smallest to greatest, were giving attention to him, saying, “(O)This man is what is called the Great Power of God.” 11 And they were giving him attention because he had for a long time astounded them with his (P)magic arts. 12 But when they believed Philip (Q)proclaiming the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being (R)baptized, both men and women. 13 Even Simon himself believed; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip, and as he observed (S)signs and (T)great miracles taking place, he was constantly astounded.
14 Now when (U)the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them (V)Peter and John, 15 who came down and prayed for them (W)that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For He had (X)not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been (Y)baptized [d]in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they (Z)began laying their hands on them, and they were (AA)receiving the Holy Spirit. 18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit had been bestowed through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you supposed you could (AB)obtain the gift of God with money! 21 You have (AC)no part or portion in this [e]matter, for your heart is not (AD)right before God. 22 Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray earnestly to the Lord that, (AE)if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in (AF)the [f]bondage of unrighteousness.” 24 But Simon answered and said, “(AG)Pray earnestly to the Lord for me yourselves, so that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”
An Ethiopian Receives Christ
25 So, when they had solemnly (AH)borne witness and spoken (AI)the word of the Lord, they started back to Jerusalem, and were (AJ)proclaiming the gospel to many villages of the (AK)Samaritans.
26 But (AL)an angel of the [g]Lord spoke to (AM)Philip saying, “Rise up and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to (AN)Gaza.” ([h]This is a desert road.) 27 So he rose up and went; and behold, (AO)there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure; and he (AP)had come to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and he was returning and sitting in his [i]chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 Then (AQ)the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this [j]chariot.” 30 And Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage of Scripture which he was reading was this:
“(AR)As a sheep is led to slaughter;
And as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
So He does not open His mouth.
33 (AS)In humiliation His judgment was taken away;
Who will [k]recount His [l]generation?
For His life is removed from the earth.”
34 And the eunuch answered Philip and said, “I ask you earnestly, of whom does the prophet say this? Of himself or of someone else?” 35 Then Philip (AT)opened his mouth, and (AU)beginning from this Scripture he (AV)proclaimed the good news about Jesus to him. 36 And as they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch *said, “Look! Water! (AW)What prevents me from being baptized?” 37 [m][And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”] 38 And he ordered the [n]chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, (AX)the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away, and the eunuch no longer saw him, [o]but went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip [p]found himself at [q](AY)Azotus, and as he passed through he (AZ)kept proclaiming the gospel to all the cities until he came to (BA)Caesarea.
Footnotes
- Acts 8:1 Lit occurred
- Acts 8:5 The Messiah
- Acts 8:6 Or attesting miracles
- Acts 8:16 Lit into
- Acts 8:21 Or teaching; lit word
- Acts 8:23 Lit bond
- Acts 8:26 In OT, Yahweh, cf. Gen 16:7
- Acts 8:26 Or This city is deserted
- Acts 8:28 Or carriage
- Acts 8:29 Or carriage
- Acts 8:33 Or describe
- Acts 8:33 Or family, origin
- Acts 8:37 Early mss omit this v
- Acts 8:38 Or carriage
- Acts 8:39 Lit for he was going
- Acts 8:40 Or was found
- Acts 8:40 In OT, Ashdod
Hechos 8
La Palabra (España)
8 Saulo estaba allí, dando su aprobación a la muerte de Esteban.
Persecución de la Iglesia
Aquel mismo día se desató una violenta persecución contra la iglesia de Jerusalén. Todos los fieles, a excepción de los apóstoles, se dispersaron por las regiones de Judea y Samaría. 2 Unos hombres piadosos enterraron el cuerpo de Esteban y lloraron sentidamente su muerte. 3 Mientras tanto, Saulo asolaba la Iglesia: irrumpía en las casas, apresaba a hombres y mujeres y los metía en la cárcel.
II.— TESTIGOS EN JUDEA Y SAMARÍA (8,4—12,25)
Evangelización de Samaría (8,4-40)
Felipe en Samaría
4 Los discípulos que tuvieron que dispersarse iban de pueblo en pueblo anunciando el mensaje. 5 Felipe, en concreto, llegó a la ciudad de Samaría y les predicaba al Mesías. 6 La gente en masa escuchaba con atención a Felipe, pues habían oído hablar de los milagros que realizaba y ahora los estaban viendo. 7 Hubo muchos casos de espíritus malignos que abandonaron a sus víctimas lanzando alaridos; y numerosos paralíticos y cojos fueron también curados, 8 de manera que la ciudad se llenó de alegría.
Simón, el mago
9 Desde hacía tiempo, se encontraba en la ciudad un hombre llamado Simón, que practicaba la magia y tenía asombrada a toda la población de Samaría. Se las daba de persona importante 10 y gozaba de una gran audiencia tanto entre los pequeños como entre los mayores. “Ese hombre —decían— es la personificación del poder divino: eso que se llama el Gran Poder”. 11 Y lo escuchaban encandilados, porque durante mucho tiempo los había tenido asombrados con su magia. 12 Pero cuando Felipe les anunció el mensaje acerca del reino de Dios y de la persona de Jesucristo, hombres y mujeres abrazaron la fe y se bautizaron. 13 Incluso el propio Simón creyó y, una vez bautizado, ni por un momento se apartaba de Felipe; contemplaba los milagros y los portentosos prodigios que realizaba y no salía de su asombro.
Pedro y Juan en Samaría
14 Cuando los apóstoles que estaban en Jerusalén se enteraron de que Samaría había acogido favorablemente el mensaje de Dios, enviaron allá a Pedro y a Juan. 15 Llegaron estos y oraron por los samaritanos para que recibieran el Espíritu Santo, 16 pues aún no había descendido sobre ninguno de ellos; únicamente habían sido bautizados en el nombre de Jesús, el Señor. 17 Les impusieron, pues, las manos y recibieron el Espíritu Santo.
18 Al ver Simón que cuando los apóstoles imponían las manos se impartía el Espíritu, les ofreció dinero, 19 diciendo:
— Concededme también a mí el poder de que, cuando imponga las manos a alguno, reciba el Espíritu Santo.
20 — ¡Al infierno tú y tu dinero! —le contestó Pedro—. ¿Cómo has podido imaginar que el don de Dios es un objeto de compraventa? 21 No es posible que recibas ni tengas parte en este don, pues Dios ve que tus intenciones son torcidas. 22 Arrepiéntete del mal que has hecho y pide al Señor que, si es posible, te perdone el haber abrigado tal pensamiento. 23 Veo que la envidia te corroe y la maldad te tiene encadenado.
24 Simón respondió:
— Orad por mí al Señor para que nada de lo que habéis dicho me suceda.
25 Una vez que Pedro y Juan cumplieron su misión de testigos y proclamaron el mensaje del Señor, emprendieron el regreso a Jerusalén, anunciando de paso la buena noticia en muchas poblaciones samaritanas.
Felipe y el ministro de la reina de Etiopía
26 Un ángel del Señor dio a Felipe estas instrucciones:
— Ponte en camino y dirígete hacia el sur por la ruta que va desde Jerusalén hasta Gaza, la ruta del desierto.
27 Felipe partió sin pérdida de tiempo. A poco divisó a un hombre, que resultó ser un eunuco etíope, alto funcionario de Candace, reina de Etiopía, de cuyo tesoro era administrador general. Había venido en peregrinación a Jerusalén 28 y ahora, ya de regreso, iba sentado en su carro leyendo el libro del profeta Isaías. 29 El Espíritu dijo a Felipe:
— Adelántate y acércate a ese carro.
30 Felipe corrió hacia el carro y, al oír que su ocupante leía al profeta Isaías, le preguntó:
— ¿Entiendes lo que estás leyendo?
31 El etíope respondió:
— ¿Cómo puedo entenderlo si nadie me lo explica?
E invitó a Felipe a subir al carro y sentarse a su lado. 32 El pasaje de la Escritura que estaba leyendo era este:
Como oveja fue llevado al sacrificio;
y como cordero que no abre
la boca ante el esquilador,
tampoco él despegó sus labios.
33 Por ser humilde no se le hizo justicia.
Nadie hablará de su descendencia,
porque fue arrancado del mundo de los vivos.
34 El etíope preguntó a Felipe:
— Dime, por favor, ¿de quién habla el profeta, de sí mismo o de otro?
35 Felipe tomó la palabra y, partiendo de este pasaje de la Escritura, le anunció la buena noticia de Jesús. 36 Prosiguieron su camino y, al llegar a un lugar donde había agua, dijo el etíope:
— Mira, aquí hay agua. ¿Hay algún impedimento para bautizarme?
38 El etíope mandó parar el carro; bajaron ambos al agua y Felipe lo bautizó. 39 Apenas salieron del agua, el Espíritu del Señor arrebató a Felipe, y el etíope no volvió a verlo, pero siguió su camino lleno de alegría. 40 Felipe, a su vez, se encontró en Azoto, circunstancia que aprovechó para anunciar la buena noticia en las ciudades por las que fue pasando hasta llegar a Cesarea.
Disciples' Literal New Testament: Serving Modern Disciples by More Fully Reflecting the Writing Style of the Ancient Disciples, Copyright © 2011 Michael J. Magill. All Rights Reserved. Published by Reyma Publishing
Legacy Standard Bible Copyright ©2021 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org For Permission to Quote Information visit https://www.LSBible.org.
La Palabra, (versión española) © 2010 Texto y Edición, Sociedad Bíblica de España