Saul Persecutes the Church

Now Saul was consenting to his death.

At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and (A)they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and (B)made great lamentation over him.

As for Saul, (C)he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.

Christ Is Preached in Samaria

Therefore (D)those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. Then (E)Philip went down to [a]the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For (F)unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city.

The Sorcerer’s Profession of Faith

But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously (G)practiced [b]sorcery in the city and (H)astonished the [c]people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, 10 to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the great power of God.” 11 And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his [d]sorceries for a long time. 12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the things (I)concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. 13 Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.

The Sorcerer’s Sin

14 Now when the (J)apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them (K)that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For (L)as yet He had fallen upon none of them. (M)They had only been baptized in (N)the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then (O)they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

18 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

20 But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because (P)you thought that (Q)the gift of God could be purchased with money! 21 You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your (R)heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God (S)if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are (T)poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.”

24 Then Simon answered and said, (U)“Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me.”

25 So when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

Christ Is Preached to an Ethiopian(V)

26 Now an angel of the Lord spoke to (W)Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is [e]desert. 27 So he arose and went. And behold, (X)a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and (Y)had come to Jerusalem to worship, 28 was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. 29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.”

30 So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?”

31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 The place in the Scripture which he read was this:

(Z)“He was led as a sheep to the slaughter;
And as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
(AA)So He opened not His mouth.
33 In His humiliation His (AB)justice was taken away,
And who will declare His generation?
For His life is (AC)taken from the earth.”

34 So the eunuch answered Philip and said, “I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, (AD)and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. 36 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. (AE)What hinders me from being baptized?”

37 [f]Then Philip said, (AF)“If you believe with all your heart, you may.”

And he answered and said, (AG)“I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

38 So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. 39 Now when they came up out of the water, (AH)the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip was found at [g]Azotus. And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to (AI)Caesarea.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 8:5 Or a
  2. Acts 8:9 magic
  3. Acts 8:9 Or nation
  4. Acts 8:11 magic arts
  5. Acts 8:26 Or a deserted place
  6. Acts 8:37 NU, M omit v. 37. It is found in Western texts, including the Latin tradition.
  7. Acts 8:40 Same as Heb. Ashdod

σαυλος δε ην συνευδοκων τη αναιρεσει αυτου εγενετο δε εν εκεινη τη ημερα διωγμος μεγας επι την εκκλησιαν την εν ιεροσολυμοις παντες τε διεσπαρησαν κατα τας χωρας της ιουδαιας και σαμαρειας πλην των αποστολων

συνεκομισαν δε τον στεφανον ανδρες ευλαβεις και εποιησαντο κοπετον μεγαν επ αυτω

σαυλος δε ελυμαινετο την εκκλησιαν κατα τους οικους εισπορευομενος συρων τε ανδρας και γυναικας παρεδιδου εις φυλακην

οι μεν ουν διασπαρεντες διηλθον ευαγγελιζομενοι τον λογον

φιλιππος δε κατελθων εις πολιν της σαμαρειας εκηρυσσεν αυτοις τον χριστον

προσειχον τε οι οχλοι τοις λεγομενοις υπο του φιλιππου ομοθυμαδον εν τω ακουειν αυτους και βλεπειν τα σημεια α εποιει

πολλων γαρ των εχοντων πνευματα ακαθαρτα βοωντα μεγαλη φωνη εξηρχετο πολλοι δε παραλελυμενοι και χωλοι εθεραπευθησαν

και εγενετο χαρα μεγαλη εν τη πολει εκεινη

ανηρ δε τις ονοματι σιμων προυπηρχεν εν τη πολει μαγευων και εξιστων το εθνος της σαμαρειας λεγων ειναι τινα εαυτον μεγαν

10 ω προσειχον παντες απο μικρου εως μεγαλου λεγοντες ουτος εστιν η δυναμις του θεου η μεγαλη

11 προσειχον δε αυτω δια το ικανω χρονω ταις μαγειαις εξεστακεναι αυτους

12 οτε δε επιστευσαν τω φιλιππω ευαγγελιζομενω τα περι της βασιλειας του θεου και του ονοματος του ιησου χριστου εβαπτιζοντο ανδρες τε και γυναικες

13 ο δε σιμων και αυτος επιστευσεν και βαπτισθεις ην προσκαρτερων τω φιλιππω θεωρων τε δυναμεις και σημεια γινομενα εξιστατο

14 ακουσαντες δε οι εν ιεροσολυμοις αποστολοι οτι δεδεκται η σαμαρεια τον λογον του θεου απεστειλαν προς αυτους τον πετρον και ιωαννην

15 οιτινες καταβαντες προσηυξαντο περι αυτων οπως λαβωσιν πνευμα αγιον

16 ουπω γαρ ην επ ουδενι αυτων επιπεπτωκος μονον δε βεβαπτισμενοι υπηρχον εις το ονομα του κυριου ιησου

17 τοτε επετιθουν τας χειρας επ αυτους και ελαμβανον πνευμα αγιον

18 θεασαμενος δε ο σιμων οτι δια της επιθεσεως των χειρων των αποστολων διδοται το πνευμα το αγιον προσηνεγκεν αυτοις χρηματα

19 λεγων δοτε καμοι την εξουσιαν ταυτην ινα ω εαν επιθω τας χειρας λαμβανη πνευμα αγιον

20 πετρος δε ειπεν προς αυτον το αργυριον σου συν σοι ειη εις απωλειαν οτι την δωρεαν του θεου ενομισας δια χρηματων κτασθαι

21 ουκ εστιν σοι μερις ουδε κληρος εν τω λογω τουτω η γαρ καρδια σου ουκ εστιν ευθεια ενωπιον του θεου

22 μετανοησον ουν απο της κακιας σου ταυτης και δεηθητι του θεου ει αρα αφεθησεται σοι η επινοια της καρδιας σου

23 εις γαρ χολην πικριας και συνδεσμον αδικιας ορω σε οντα

24 αποκριθεις δε ο σιμων ειπεν δεηθητε υμεις υπερ εμου προς τον κυριον οπως μηδεν επελθη επ εμε ων ειρηκατε

25 οι μεν ουν διαμαρτυραμενοι και λαλησαντες τον λογον του κυριου υπεστρεψαν εις ιερουσαλημ πολλας τε κωμας των σαμαρειτων ευηγγελισαντο

26 αγγελος δε κυριου ελαλησεν προς φιλιππον λεγων αναστηθι και πορευου κατα μεσημβριαν επι την οδον την καταβαινουσαν απο ιερουσαλημ εις γαζαν αυτη εστιν ερημος

27 και αναστας επορευθη και ιδου ανηρ αιθιοψ ευνουχος δυναστης κανδακης της βασιλισσης αιθιοπων ος ην επι πασης της γαζης αυτης ος εληλυθει προσκυνησων εις ιερουσαλημ

28 ην τε υποστρεφων και καθημενος επι του αρματος αυτου ανεγινωσκεν τον προφητην ησαιαν

29 ειπεν δε το πνευμα τω φιλιππω προσελθε και κολληθητι τω αρματι τουτω

30 προσδραμων δε ο φιλιππος ηκουσεν αυτου αναγινωσκοντος τον προφητην ησαιαν και ειπεν αρα γε γινωσκεις α αναγινωσκεις

31 ο δε ειπεν πως γαρ αν δυναιμην εαν μη τις οδηγηση με παρεκαλεσεν τε τον φιλιππον αναβαντα καθισαι συν αυτω

32 η δε περιοχη της γραφης ην ανεγινωσκεν ην αυτη ως προβατον επι σφαγην ηχθη και ως αμνος εναντιον του κειροντος αυτον αφωνος ουτως ουκ ανοιγει το στομα αυτου

33 εν τη ταπεινωσει αυτου η κρισις αυτου ηρθη την δε γενεαν αυτου τις διηγησεται οτι αιρεται απο της γης η ζωη αυτου

34 αποκριθεις δε ο ευνουχος τω φιλιππω ειπεν δεομαι σου περι τινος ο προφητης λεγει τουτο περι εαυτου η περι ετερου τινος

35 ανοιξας δε ο φιλιππος το στομα αυτου και αρξαμενος απο της γραφης ταυτης ευηγγελισατο αυτω τον ιησουν

36 ως δε επορευοντο κατα την οδον ηλθον επι τι υδωρ και φησιν ο ευνουχος ιδου υδωρ τι κωλυει με βαπτισθηναι

37 ειπεν δε ο φιλιππος ει πιστευεις εξ ολης της καρδιας εξεστιν αποκριθεις δε ειπεν πιστευω τον υιον του θεου ειναι τον ιησουν χριστον

38 και εκελευσεν στηναι το αρμα και κατεβησαν αμφοτεροι εις το υδωρ ο τε φιλιππος και ο ευνουχος και εβαπτισεν αυτον

39 οτε δε ανεβησαν εκ του υδατος πνευμα κυριου ηρπασεν τον φιλιππον και ουκ ειδεν αυτον ουκετι ο ευνουχος επορευετο γαρ την οδον αυτου χαιρων

40 φιλιππος δε ευρεθη εις αζωτον και διερχομενος ευηγγελιζετο τας πολεις πασας εως του ελθειν αυτον εις καισαρειαν

And Saul was assenting to his death, and there came in that day a great persecution upon the assembly in Jerusalem, all also were scattered abroad in the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles;

and devout men carried away Stephen, and made great lamentation over him;

and Saul was making havoc of the assembly, into every house entering, and haling men and women, was giving them up to prison;

they then indeed, having been scattered, went abroad proclaiming good news -- the word.

And Philip having gone down to a city of Samaria, was preaching to them the Christ,

the multitudes also were giving heed to the things spoken by Philip, with one accord, in their hearing and seeing the signs that he was doing,

for unclean spirits came forth from many who were possessed, crying with a loud voice, and many who have been paralytic and lame were healed,

and there was great joy in that city.

And a certain man, by name Simon, was before in the city using magic, and amazing the nation of Samaria, saying himself to be a certain great one,

10 to whom they were all giving heed, from small unto great, saying, `This one is the great power of God;'

11 and they were giving heed to him, because of his having for a long time amazed them with deeds of magic.

12 And when they believed Philip, proclaiming good news, the things concerning the reign of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized both men and women;

13 and Simon also himself did believe, and, having been baptized, he was continuing with Philip, beholding also signs and mighty acts being done, he was amazed.

14 And the apostles in Jerusalem having heard that Samaria hath received the word of God, did send unto them Peter and John,

15 who having come down did pray concerning them, that they may receive the Holy Spirit, --

16 for as yet he was fallen upon none of them, and only they have been baptized -- to the name of the Lord Jesus;

17 then were they laying hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

18 And Simon, having beheld that through the laying on of the hands of the apostles, the Holy Spirit is given, brought before them money,

19 saying, `Give also to me this authority, that on whomsoever I may lay the hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit.'

20 And Peter said unto him, `Thy silver with thee -- may it be to destruction! because the gift of God thou didst think to possess through money;

21 thou hast neither part nor lot in this thing, for thy heart is not right before God;

22 reform, therefore, from this thy wickedness, and beseech God, if then the purpose of thy heart may be forgiven thee,

23 for in the gall of bitterness, and bond of unrighteousness, I perceive thee being.'

24 And Simon answering, said, `Beseech ye for me unto the Lord, that nothing may come upon me of the things ye have spoken.'

25 They indeed, therefore, having testified fully, and spoken the word of the Lord, did turn back to Jerusalem; in many villages also of the Samaritans they did proclaim good news.

26 And a messenger of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, `Arise, and go on toward the south, on the way that is going down from Jerusalem to Gaza,' -- this is desert.

27 And having arisen, he went on, and lo, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch, a man of rank, of Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, who had come to worship to Jerusalem;

28 he was also returning, and is sitting on his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah.

29 And the Spirit said to Philip, `Go near, and be joined to this chariot;'

30 and Philip having run near, heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, `Dost thou then know what thou dost read?'

31 and he said, `Why, how am I able, if some one may not guide me?' he called Philip also, having come up, to sit with him.

32 And the contents of the Writing that he was reading was this: `As a sheep unto slaughter he was led, and as a lamb before his shearer dumb, so he doth not open his mouth;

33 in his humiliation his judgment was taken away, and his generation -- who shall declare? because taken from the earth is his life.'

34 And the eunuch answering Philip said, `I pray thee, about whom doth the prophet say this? about himself, or about some other one?'

35 and Philip having opened his mouth, and having begun from this Writing, proclaimed good news to him -- Jesus.

36 And as they were going on the way, they came upon a certain water, and the eunuch said, `Lo, water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?'

37 [And Philip said, `If thou dost believe out of all the heart, it is lawful;' and he answering said, `I believe Jesus Christ to be the Son of God;']

38 and he commanded the chariot to stand still, and they both went down to the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him;

39 and when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, and the eunuch saw him no more, for he was going on his way rejoicing;

40 and Philip was found at Azotus, and passing through, he was proclaiming good news to all the cities, till his coming to Cesarea.

Saul Persecutes the Church

(A)Now Saul approved of putting [a]Stephen to death.

And on that day a great persecution [b]began against (B)the church in Jerusalem, and they were all (C)scattered throughout the regions of Judea and (D)Samaria, except for the apostles. Some devout men buried Stephen, and mourned loudly for him. But (E)Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house; and he would (F)drag away men and women and put them in prison.

Philip in Samaria

Therefore, those (G)who had been scattered went through places [c](H)preaching the word. (I)Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming the [d]Christ to them. The crowds were paying attention with one mind to what was being said by Philip, as they heard and saw the [e]signs which he was performing. 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 or limped on crutches were healed. So there was (L)much rejoicing in that city.

Now a man named Simon had previously been practicing (M)magic in the city and astonishing the people of Samaria, (N)claiming to be someone great; 10 and all the people, from small to great, were paying attention to him, saying, “(O)This man is the Power of God that is called Great.” 11 And they were paying attention to him because for a long time he had astounded them with his (P)magic arts. 12 But when they believed Philip (Q)as he was preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were being (R)baptized. 13 Now 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 repeatedly amazed.

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 would receive the Holy Spirit. 16 (For He had (X)not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been (Y)baptized [f]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 was given 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 thought you could (AB)acquire the gift of God with money! 21 You have (AC)no part or share in this [g]matter, for your heart is not (AD)right before God. 22 Therefore, repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, (AE)if possible, the intention of your heart will be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are [h]in the gall of bitterness and in (AF)the [i]bondage of unrighteousness.” 24 But Simon answered and said, “(AG)Pray 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)testified and spoken (AI)the word of the Lord, they started back to Jerusalem, and were (AJ)preaching the gospel to many villages of the (AK)Samaritans.

26 But (AL)an angel of the Lord spoke to (AM)Philip, saying, “Get ready and go [j]south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to (AN)Gaza.” ([k]This is a desert road.) 27 So he got ready and went; and [l](AO)there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of [m]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 [n]chariot, and was reading Isaiah the prophet. 29 Then (AQ)the Spirit said to Philip, “Go up and join this [o]chariot.” 30 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)He was led like a sheep to slaughter;
And like a lamb that is silent before its shearer,
So He does not open His mouth.
33 (AS)In humiliation His justice was taken away;
Who will [p]describe His [q]generation?
For His life is taken away from the earth.”

34 The eunuch answered Philip and said, “Please tell me, 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)preached Jesus to him. 36 As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch *said, “Look! Water! (AW)What prevents me from being baptized?”[r] 38 And he ordered that the [s]chariot 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, [t]but went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip [u]found himself at [v](AY)Azotus, and as he passed through he (AZ)kept preaching the gospel to all the cities, until he came to (BA)Caesarea.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 8:1 Lit him
  2. Acts 8:1 Lit occurred
  3. Acts 8:4 Or bringing the good news of
  4. Acts 8:5 I.e., Messiah
  5. Acts 8:6 I.e., confirming miracles
  6. Acts 8:16 Lit into
  7. Acts 8:21 Or teaching; lit word
  8. Acts 8:23 Or doomed to the
  9. Acts 8:23 Lit bond
  10. Acts 8:26 Or at about noon to
  11. Acts 8:26 Or This city is deserted
  12. Acts 8:27 Lit behold, an Ethiopian
  13. Acts 8:27 Possibly an Ethiopian title: the Candace
  14. Acts 8:28 Or carriage
  15. Acts 8:29 Or carriage
  16. Acts 8:33 Or relate
  17. Acts 8:33 Or family history
  18. Acts 8:36 Late mss add as v 37: 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.”
  19. Acts 8:38 Or carriage
  20. Acts 8:39 Lit for he was going
  21. Acts 8:40 Or was found
  22. Acts 8:40 OT: Ashdod