Acts 8
Wycliffe Bible
8 But Saul was consenting to his death. And great persecution was made that day in the church, that was in Jerusalem. And all men were scattered by the countries of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
2 But good men buried Stephen [Forsooth men dread-full buried Stephen], and made great mourning on him.
3 But Saul greatly destroyed the church, and entered by houses, and drew out men and women, and betook them into prison. [Forsooth Saul greatly destroyed the church, entering by houses, drawing men and women, betook into keeping, or prison.]
4 And they that were scattered [Therefore they were scattered], passed forth, preaching the word of God.
5 And Philip came down into a city of Samaria, and preached to them Christ.
6 And the people gave attention to these things [to those things] that were said of Philip, with one will hearing and seeing the signs that he did.
7 For many of them that had unclean spirits, cried with great voice, and went out [crying with great voice, went out]. And many sick in the palsy [Forsooth many sick in palsy], and crooked, were healed.
8 Therefore great joy was made in that city.
9 But there was a man in that city, whose name was Simon, a witch [Forsooth there was some man, Simon by name, which before was in the city a witch], that had deceived the folk of Samaria, saying, that himself was some great man.
10 Whom all harkened [To whom all harkened], from the least to the most, and said [saying], This is the virtue of God, which is called great.
11 And they believed him, for long time he had madded them with his witchcrafts. [Forsooth all believed him, for this thing, that much time he had made them mad with his witchings.]
12 But when they had believed to Philip, preaching of the kingdom of God, men and women were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. [Soothly when they had believed to Philip, evangelizing of the kingdom of God, in the name of Jesus Christ, men and women were baptized.]
13 And then also Simon himself believed [Then also Simon himself believed]; and when he was baptized, he drew to Philip; and he saw also that signs and great works of power were done [he seeing also signs and most virtues to be made], he was astonished, and wondered.
14 But when the apostles that were at Jerusalem, had heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John.
15 And when they came, they prayed for them [The which, when they came, prayed for them], that they should receive the Holy Ghost;
16 for he came not yet into any of them [forsooth not yet he came into any of them], but they were baptized only in the name of the Lord Jesus.
17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
18 And when Simon had seen, that the Holy Ghost was given by laying on of [the] hands of the apostles, and he proffered to them money [he offered to them money],
19 and said, Give ye also to me this power, that [to] whomever I shall lay on mine hands, that he receive the Holy Ghost. [saying, Give to me and this power, that on whomever I shall put on hands, he receive the Holy Ghost.]
20 But Peter said to him, Thy money be with thee into perdition, for thou guessedest that the gift of God should be had for money [for thou guessedest the gift of God for to be had with money].
21 There is no part, nor lot to thee [Part is not to thee, neither sort], in this word, for thine heart is not rightful before God.
22 Therefore do thou penance for this wickedness of thee, and pray God, if peradventure this thought of thine heart be forgiven to thee.
23 For I see that thou art in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of wickedness.
24 And Simon answered, and said, Pray ye for me to the Lord, that nothing of these things that ye have said, come on me.
25 And they witnessed, and spake the word of the Lord, and went again to Jerusalem, and preached [and evangelized] to many countries of Samaritans.
26 And an angel of the Lord spake to Philip, and said, Rise thou, and go to meet the south [saying, Rise thou, and go against the south], to the way that goeth down from Jerusalem into Gaza; this is desert.
27 And he rose, and went forth. And lo! a man of Ethiopia, a mighty manservant, a gelding of Candace, the queen of Ethiopians [And lo! a man of Ethiopia, a mighty gelding of the queen Candace of Ethiopians], which was on all her riches, came to worship in Jerusalem.
28 And he turned again, sitting on his chariot, and reading Esaias, the prophet.
29 And the Spirit said to Philip, Approach thou[a], and join thee to this chariot.
30 And Philip ran to, and heard him reading Esaias, the prophet. And he said, Guessest thou, whether thou understandest, what things thou readest?
31 And he said, How may I, if no man show to me [Which said, And how may I, if some man shall not show to me]? And he prayed Philip, that he should come up, and sit with him.
32 And the place of the scripture that he read, was this, As a sheep he was led to slaying, and as a lamb before a man that sheareth him is dumb without voice, so he opened not his mouth. [Forsooth the place of scripture that he read was this, As a sheep to slaying he was led, and as a lamb before a man shearing him is dumb without voice, so he opened not his mouth.]
33 In meekness his doom was taken up; who shall tell out the generation of him? For his life shall be taken away from the earth.
34 And the gelding answered to Philip, and said, I beseech thee, of what prophet saith he this thing? of himself, or of any other?
35 And Philip opened his mouth, and began at this scripture, and preached to him Jesus.
36 And while they went by the way, they came to a water [they came to some water]. And the gelding said, Lo! water; who forbiddeth me to be baptized?
37 And Philip said, If thou believest of all thine heart, it is leaveful. And he answered, and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still. And they went down both into the water, Philip and the gelding, and Philip baptized him [and he baptized him].
39 And when they were come up of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched (up) Philip, and the gelding saw him no more; and he went in his way joying.
40 And Philip was found in Azotus; and he passed forth, and preached to all cities [and he passing forth, evangelized to all cities], till he came to Caesarea.
Footnotes
- Acts 8:29 Nigh thou/Come to
Acts 8
New Matthew Bible
Saul persecutes the Christians. The apostles are scattered abroad. Philip comes into Samaria. Simon Magus is baptized; he dissembles. Philip baptizes the chamberlain.
8 Saul had pleasure in Stephen’s death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the congregation that was at Jerusalem, and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
2 Then devout men arranged Stephen’s burial, and made great lamentation over him. 3 But Saul made havoc of the congregation, and entered into every house, and drew out both men and women, and thrust them into prison.
4 However, those who were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word. 5 Then Philip went into a city of Samaria, and preached Christ to them. 6 And the people gave heed to the things that Philip spoke with one accord, when they heard and saw the miracles that he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many who were possessed by them. And many who were paralyzed, and many who limped, were healed. 8 And there was great joy in that city.
9 And there was a certain man called Simon, who had previously practiced witchcraft and magic in that same city, and had bewitched the people of Samaria, saying that he was a man who could do great things. 10 They regarded him highly, from the least to the greatest, saying, This fellow is the great power of God! 11 And they set much store by him, because for a long time he had taken them in with magic.
12 But as soon as they believed Philip’s preaching of the kingdom of God and of the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Then Simon himself believed also, and was baptized, and continued with Philip; and he marvelled, seeing the miracles and signs that were shown.
14 When the 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 arrived, prayed for them to receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For as yet he had come on none of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of Christ Jesus. 17 Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
18 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 also this power, so that whomever I lay hands on may receive the Holy Spirit.
20 Then Peter said to him, May your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God might be obtained with money. 21 You have neither part nor fellowship in this work, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God that the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I perceive that you are full of bitter gall, and wrapped in iniquity.
24 Then Simon answered and said, Pray to the Lord for me that none of these things that you have spoken will fall on me.
25 And when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, Peter and John returned toward Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.
26 Then the angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, Arise and go toward the south, to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza, which is in the desert. 27 And Philip arose and went on. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, who was a chamberlain, and of great authority with Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, and in charge of all her treasure, had come to Jerusalem to pray. 28 And as he returned home again, sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet.
29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, Go near and overtake that chariot. 30 And 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 I have a guide? And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 The tenor of the scripture that he was reading was this: He was led as a sheep to be slain, and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so he opened not his mouth. 33 Because of his humbleness, he was not esteemed. But who can number his descendants? For his life is taken from the earth.
34 The chamberlain said to Philip, I ask you, of whom does the prophet speak this? of himself, or of some other man? 35 And Philip opened his mouth and began at the same scripture, and preached Jesus to him.
36 And as they went on their way, they came to some water, and the chamberlain said, See, here is water. What is to keep me from being baptized? 37 Philip said to him, If you believe with all your heart, you may be. He answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still. And they both went down into the water, both Philip and also the chamberlain, and he baptized him.
39 And as soon as they had come out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, and the chamberlain saw him no more. And he went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip was found at Azotus, and he walked throughout the country preaching in their towns until he came to Caesarea.
Acts 8
1599 Geneva Bible
8 2 The godly make lamentation for Stephen. 3 Saul maketh havoc of the Church. 5 Philip preacheth Christ at Samaria. 9 Simon Magus, 13 his covetousness reproved. 26 Philip 27 cometh to the Ethiopian Eunuch, 38 and baptizeth him.
1 And [a]Saul consented to 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 Judea and of Samaria, except the Apostles.
2 [b]Then certain men fearing God, [c]carried Stephen among them, to be buried, and made great lamentation for him.
3 [d]But Saul made havoc of the Church, and entered into every house, and drew out both men and women, and put them into prison.
4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad, went to and fro preaching the word.
5 ¶ [e]Then came Philip into the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
6 And the people gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, with one accord, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
7 For unclean spirits crying with a loud voice, came out of many that were possessed of them: and many taken with palsies, and that halted, were healed.
8 And there was great joy in that city.
9 [f]And there was before in the city, a certain man called Simon, which used [g]witchcraft, and [h]bewitched the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was some great man,
10 To whom they gave heed from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is that great power of God.
11 And they gave heed unto him, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
12 But as soon as they believed Philip, which preached the things that concerned the kingdom of God, and the Name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized both men and women.
13 [i]Then Simon himself believed also, and was baptized, and continued with Philip, and wondered, when he saw the signs and great miracles which were done.
14 ¶ [j]Now when the Apostles, which were at Jerusalem, heard say, that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John.
15 Which when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the [k]holy Ghost.
16 (For as yet he was fallen down on none of them, but they were baptized only in the Name of the Lord Jesus.)
17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the holy Ghost.
18 [l]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 the hands, he may receive the holy Ghost.
20 [m]Then said Peter unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou thinkest that the gift of God may be obtained with money.
21 Thou hast neither part nor fellowship in this [n]business: for thine heart is not [o]right in the sight of God.
22 [p]Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, that if it be possible, the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
23 For I see that thou art in the [q]gall of bitterness, and in the [r]bond of iniquity.
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.
25 ¶ So they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the Gospel in many towns of the Samaritans.
26 [s]Then 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 waste.
27 And he arose and went on: and behold, a certain Eunuch of Ethiopia, Candace the Queen of the Ethiopians’ [t]chief Governor, who had the rule of all her treasure, and came to Jerusalem to worship.
28 And as he returned sitting in his chariot, he read Isaiah the Prophet.
29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near and join thyself to yonder chariot.
30 And Philip ran thither, and heard him read the Prophet Isaiah, and said, But understandest thou what thou readest?
31 And he said, How can I, except I had [u]a guide? And he desired Philip, that he would come up and sit with him.
32 [v]Now the place of the Scripture which he read, was this, (A)He was lead as a sheep to the slaughter: and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth.
33 In his [w]humility his judgment hath been exalted: but who shall declare his [x]generation? for his life is taken from the earth.
34 Then 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.
36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water, and the Eunuch said, See, here is water: what doth let me to be baptized?
37 [y]And Philip said unto him, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. Then he answered, and said, [z]I believe that that Jesus Christ is that Son of God.
38 Then he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the Eunuch, and he baptized him.
39 And as soon as they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the Eunuch saw him no more: so he went on his way rejoicing.
40 But Philip was found at Azotus, and he walked to and fro preaching in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.
Footnotes
- Acts 8:1 Christ useth the rage of his enemies to the spreading forth and enlarging of his kingdom.
- Acts 8:2 The godly mourn for Stephen after his death, and bury him, showing therein an example of singular faith and charity: but no man prayeth to him.
- Acts 8:2 Amongst all the duties of charity which the godly use, there is no mention made of shrining up of relics.
- Acts 8:3 The dispersion or scattering abroad of the faithful, is the joining together of Churches.
- Acts 8:5 Philip, who was before a Deacon in Jerusalem, is made of God extraordinarily an Evangelist.
- Acts 8:9 Christ overcometh Satan so oft as he listeth, and carrieth him about as it were in a triumph in the sight of them, whom he deceived and bewitched.
- Acts 8:9 The word which is used in this place was at the first taken in good part, and is borrowed out of the Persians’ language, who call their wise men by that name, but afterward it was taken in evil part.
- Acts 8:9 He had so allured the Samaritans with his witchcrafts, that as blind and mad harebrains they were wholly addicted to him.
- Acts 8:13 The wicked and the very reprobate are constrained oftentimes to taste of the good gift of God, but they cast it up again forthwith.
- Acts 8:14 Peter not chief, but as an ambassador sent from the whole company of the Apostles, and John his companion according to the authority which was committed unto them, confirm and build up the Churches of Samaria, whose foundation had been laid afore by Philip.
- Acts 8:15 Those excellent gifts, which are necessary, especially for them that were to be appointed rulers and governors of the Church.
- Acts 8:18 Ambition and covetousness do at length pluck the hypocrites out of their dens.
- Acts 8:20 They are the successors of Simon Magus, and not of Simon Peter, which either buy or sell holy things.
- Acts 8:21 In this doctrine which I preach.
- Acts 8:21 Is not upright in deed, and without dissembling.
- Acts 8:22 We must hope well even of the vilest sinners, so long and so far forth as we may.
- Acts 8:23 He calleth the inward malice of the heart, and that venomous and devilish wickedness wherewith this Magician was wholly replenished, the gall of bitterness: and he is said to be in the gall as though he were wholly overwhelmed with gall, and buried in it.
- Acts 8:23 Entangled in the bonds of iniquity.
- Acts 8:26 Christ who calleth freely whom he listeth, doth now use Philip who thought on no such matter, to instruct and baptize the Eunuch at unawares, and by this means extendeth the limits of his kingdom even into Ethiopia.
- Acts 8:27 A man of great wealth and authority with Candaces: Now this word Candaces is a common name to all the Queens of Ethiopia.
- Acts 8:31 To show me the way how to understand it.
- Acts 8:32 Those things which seem most to come by chance or fortune (as men term it) are governed by the secret providence of God.
- Acts 8:33 The Hebrew text readeth it thus, Out of a narrow strait, and out of judgment was he taken: whereby the narrow strait, he meaneth the grave and the very bands of death, and by judgment, the punishment which was laid upon him, and the miserable state which Christ took upon him for our sakes, in bearing his Father’s wrath.
- Acts 8:33 How long his age shall last: for Christ having once risen from the dead, dieth no more, Rom. 6:9.
- Acts 8:37 Profession of faith is requisite in baptizing of them which are of years, and therefore it is evident that we are not then first ingrafted into Christ, when we are baptized, but being already ingrafted are then confirmed.
- Acts 8:37 The sum of the confession which is necessary for baptism.
Acts 8
Authorized (King James) Version
8 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 Judæa and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. 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.
5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. 6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 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. 8 And there was great joy in that city. 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: 10 to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. 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. 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.
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: 15 who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16 (for as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
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. 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. 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. 23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. 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.
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.
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. 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, 28 was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. 29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. 30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? 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.
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: 33 in his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. 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. 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? 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. 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. 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. 40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Cæsarea.
2001 by Terence P. Noble
Copyright © 2016 by Ruth Magnusson (Davis). Includes emendations to February 2022. All rights reserved.
Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.
KJV reproduced by permission of Cambridge University Press, the Crown’s patentee in the UK.