Focused Passage

Acts 8:9-25

The Scattered Church Carries Christ Beyond Jerusalem

Persecution scatters the church beyond Jerusalem, Philip proclaims Christ in Samaria, false spiritual ambition is exposed, and the gospel reaches an Ethiopian official through Scripture fulfilled in Jesus.

Berean Standard Bible, Public Domain - Translation notes - Reference sources

9 Prior to that time, a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and astounded the people of Samaria. He claimed to be someone great,

10 and all the people, from the least to the greatest, heeded his words and said, “This man is the divine power called the Great Power.”

11 They paid close attention to him because he had astounded them for a long time with his sorcery.

12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the gospel of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

13 Even Simon himself believed and was baptized. He followed Philip closely and was astounded by the great signs and miracles he observed.

14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them.

15 On their arrival, they prayed for them to receive the Holy Spirit.

16 For the Holy Spirit had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.

17 Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money.

19 “Give me this power as well,” he said, “so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

20 But Peter replied, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!

21 You have no part or share in our ministry, because your heart is not right before God.

22 Repent, therefore, of your wickedness, and pray to the Lord. Perhaps He will forgive you for the intent of your heart.

23 For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and captive to iniquity.”

24 Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me, so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”

25 And after Peter and John had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many of the Samaritan villages.

Study Helps

References and Original Words

Verse 9

Original words

- δέ G1161 Conjunction Prior to that time προϋπῆρχεν G4391 Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular a τις G5100 Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular man Ἀνὴρ G435 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular named ὀνόματι G3686 Noun - Dative Neuter Singular Simon Σίμων G4613 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular had practiced sorcery μαγεύων G3096 Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular in ἐν G1722 Preposition the τῇ G3588 Article - Dative Feminine Singular city πόλει G4172 Noun - Dative Feminine Singular and καὶ G2532 Conjunction astounded ἐξιστάνων G1839 Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular the τὸ G3588 Article - Accusative Neuter Singular people ἔθνος G1484 Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular - τῆς G3588 Article - Genitive Feminine Singular of Samaria Σαμαρείας G4540 Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular He claimed λέγων G3004 Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular . . . ἑαυτὸν G1438 Reflexive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular to be εἶναί G1510 Verb - Present Infinitive Active someone τινα G5100 Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular great μέγαν G3173 Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular
Verse 10

Original words

[and] all [the people] πάντες G3956 Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural from ἀπὸ G575 Preposition the least μικροῦ G3398 Adjective - Genitive Masculine Singular to ἕως G2193 Preposition the greatest μεγάλου G3173 Adjective - Genitive Masculine Singular heeded [ his words ] προσεῖχον G4337 Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural . . . G3739 Personal / Relative Pronoun - Dative Masculine Singular [and] said λέγοντες G3004 Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural This [man] Οὗτός G3778 Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular is ἐστιν G1510 Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular the G3588 Article - Nominative Feminine Singular - τοῦ G3588 Article - Genitive Masculine Singular divine Θεοῦ G2316 Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular power δύναμις G1411 Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular - G3588 Article - Nominative Feminine Singular called καλουμένη G2564 Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Feminine Singular [the] Great [Power] Μεγάλη G3173 Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular
Verse 11

Original words

- δὲ G1161 Conjunction They paid close attention προσεῖχον G4337 Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural to him αὐτῷ G846 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular because διὰ G1223 Preposition he had astounded ἐξεστακέναι G1839 Verb - Perfect Infinitive Active them αὐτούς G846 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural for a τὸ G3588 Article - Accusative Neuter Singular long ἱκανῷ G2425 Adjective - Dative Masculine Singular time χρόνῳ G5550 Noun - Dative Masculine Singular with [his] ταῖς G3588 Article - Dative Feminine Plural sorcery μαγείαις* G3095 Noun - Dative Feminine Plural
Verse 12

Original words

But δὲ G1161 Conjunction when Ὅτε G3753 Adverb they believed ἐπίστευσαν G4100 Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural - τῷ G3588 Article - Dative Masculine Singular Philip Φιλίππῳ G5376 Noun - Dative Masculine Singular as he preached the gospel εὐαγγελιζομένῳ G2097 Verb - Present Participle Middle - Dative Masculine Singular of περὶ G4012 Preposition the τῆς G3588 Article - Genitive Feminine Singular kingdom βασιλείας G932 Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular - τοῦ G3588 Article - Genitive Masculine Singular of God Θεοῦ G2316 Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular and καὶ G2532 Conjunction the τοῦ G3588 Article - Genitive Neuter Singular name ὀνόματος G3686 Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular of Jesus Ἰησοῦ G2424 Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular Christ Χριστοῦ G5547 Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular they were baptized ἐβαπτίζοντο G907 Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Plural both τε G5037 Conjunction men ἄνδρες G435 Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural and καὶ G2532 Conjunction women γυναῖκες G1135 Noun - Nominative Feminine Plural
Verse 13

Original words

- δὲ G1161 Conjunction Even καὶ G2532 Conjunction - G3588 Article - Nominative Masculine Singular Simon Σίμων G4613 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular himself αὐτὸς G846 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Masculine 3rd Person Singular believed ἐπίστευσεν G4100 Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular and καὶ G2532 Conjunction was baptized βαπτισθεὶς G907 Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular vvv ἦν G1510 Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular He followed προσκαρτερῶν G4342 Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular - τῷ G3588 Article - Dative Masculine Singular Philip {closely} Φιλίππῳ G5376 Noun - Dative Masculine Singular and τε G5037 Conjunction was astounded ἐξίστατο G1839 Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular [by the] great μεγάλας G3173 Adjective - Accusative Feminine Plural signs σημεῖα G4592 Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural and καὶ G2532 Conjunction miracles δυνάμεις G1411 Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural he observed θεωρῶν G2334 Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular . . . γινομένας G1096 Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Feminine Plural
Verse 14

Original words

[When] δὲ G1161 Conjunction the οἱ G3588 Article - Nominative Masculine Plural apostles ἀπόστολοι G652 Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural in ἐν G1722 Preposition Jerusalem Ἱεροσολύμοις G2414 Noun - Dative Neuter Plural heard Ἀκούσαντες G191 Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural that ὅτι G3754 Conjunction - G3588 Article - Nominative Feminine Singular Samaria Σαμάρεια G4540 Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular had received δέδεκται G1209 Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular the τὸν G3588 Article - Accusative Masculine Singular word λόγον G3056 Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular - τοῦ G3588 Article - Genitive Masculine Singular of God Θεοῦ G2316 Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular they sent ἀπέστειλαν G649 Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural Peter Πέτρον G4074 Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular and καὶ G2532 Conjunction John Ἰωάννην G2491 Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular to πρὸς G4314 Preposition them αὐτοὺς G846 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Verse 15

Original words

vvv οἵτινες G3748 Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural On their arrival καταβάντες G2597 Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural they prayed προσηύξαντο G4336 Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Plural for περὶ G4012 Preposition them αὐτῶν G846 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural to ὅπως G3704 Conjunction receive λάβωσιν G2983 Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Plural [the] Holy Ἅγιον G40 Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular Spirit Πνεῦμα G4151 Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Verse 16

Original words

For γὰρ G1063 Conjunction [the Holy Spirit] had ἦν G1510 Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular not yet οὐδέπω G3764 Adverb fallen ἐπιπεπτωκός G1968 Verb - Perfect Participle Active - Nominative Neuter Singular upon ἐπ’ G1909 Preposition any οὐδενὶ G3762 Adjective - Dative Masculine Singular of them αὐτῶν G846 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural - δὲ G1161 Conjunction they had simply been ὑπῆρχον G5225 Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural . . . μόνον G3440 Adverb baptized βεβαπτισμένοι G907 Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural into εἰς G1519 Preposition the τὸ G3588 Article - Accusative Neuter Singular name ὄνομα G3686 Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular of the τοῦ G3588 Article - Genitive Masculine Singular Lord κυρίου G2962 Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular Jesus Ἰησοῦ G2424 Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Verse 17

Original words

Then τότε G5119 Adverb [Peter and John] laid ἐπετίθεσαν G2007 Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural [their] τὰς G3588 Article - Accusative Feminine Plural hands χεῖρας G5495 Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural on ἐπ’ G1909 Preposition them αὐτούς G846 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural and καὶ G2532 Conjunction they received ἐλάμβανον G2983 Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural [the] Holy Ἅγιον G40 Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular Spirit Πνεῦμα G4151 Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Verse 18

Original words

[When] δὲ G1161 Conjunction - G3588 Article - Nominative Masculine Singular Simon Σίμων G4613 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular saw Ἰδὼν G3708 Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular that ὅτι G3754 Conjunction the τὸ G3588 Article - Nominative Neuter Singular Spirit Πνεῦμα G4151 Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular was given δίδοται G1325 Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular through διὰ G1223 Preposition the τῆς G3588 Article - Genitive Feminine Singular laying on ἐπιθέσεως G1936 Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular of the τῶν G3588 Article - Genitive Feminine Plural - τῶν G3588 Article - Genitive Masculine Plural apostles’ ἀποστόλων G652 Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural hands χειρῶν G5495 Noun - Genitive Feminine Plural he offered προσήνεγκεν G4374 Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular them αὐτοῖς G846 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural money χρήματα G5536 Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Verse 19

Original words

Give {me} Δότε G1325 Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural this ταύτην G3778 Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Feminine Singular - τὴν G3588 Article - Accusative Feminine Singular power ἐξουσίαν G1849 Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular as well κἀμοὶ G2504 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular he said λέγων G3004 Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular so that ἵνα G2443 Conjunction everyone on whom G3739 Personal / Relative Pronoun - Dative Masculine Singular . . . ἐὰν G1437 Conjunction I lay ἐπιθῶ G2007 Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Singular [my] τὰς G3588 Article - Accusative Feminine Plural hands χεῖρας G5495 Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural may receive λαμβάνῃ G2983 Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular [the] Holy Ἅγιον G40 Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular Spirit Πνεῦμα G4151 Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Verse 20

Original words

But δὲ G1161 Conjunction Peter Πέτρος G4074 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular replied εἶπεν G2036 Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular - πρὸς G4314 Preposition - αὐτόν G846 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular {May} your σου G4771 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular - Τὸ G3588 Article - Nominative Neuter Singular silver ἀργύριόν G694 Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular perish εἴη G1510 Verb - Present Optative Active - 3rd Person Singular . . . εἰς G1519 Preposition . . . ἀπώλειαν G684 Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular with σὺν G4862 Preposition you σοὶ G4771 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Singular because ὅτι G3754 Conjunction you thought ἐνόμισας G3543 Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular you could buy κτᾶσθαι G2932 Verb - Present Infinitive Middle or Passive the τὴν G3588 Article - Accusative Feminine Singular gift δωρεὰν G1431 Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular - τοῦ G3588 Article - Genitive Masculine Singular of God Θεοῦ G2316 Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular with διὰ G1223 Preposition money χρημάτων G5536 Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Verse 21

Original words

You σοι G4771 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Singular have ἔστιν G1510 Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular no οὐκ G3756 Adverb part μερὶς G3310 Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular [or] οὐδὲ G3761 Conjunction share κλῆρος G2819 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular in ἐν G1722 Preposition - τούτῳ G3778 Demonstrative Pronoun - Dative Masculine Singular [our] τῷ G3588 Article - Dative Masculine Singular ministry λόγῳ G3056 Noun - Dative Masculine Singular because γὰρ G1063 Conjunction your σου G4771 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular - G3588 Article - Nominative Feminine Singular heart καρδία G2588 Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular is ἔστιν G1510 Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular not οὐκ G3756 Adverb right εὐθεῖα G2117 Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular before ἔναντι G1725 Preposition - τοῦ G3588 Article - Genitive Masculine Singular God Θεοῦ G2316 Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Verse 22

Original words

Repent μετανόησον G3340 Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular therefore οὖν G3767 Conjunction of ἀπὸ G575 Preposition - ταύτης G3778 Demonstrative Pronoun - Genitive Feminine Singular - τῆς G3588 Article - Genitive Feminine Singular your σου G4771 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular wickedness κακίας G2549 Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular and καὶ G2532 Conjunction pray to δεήθητι G1189 Verb - Aorist Imperative Passive - 2nd Person Singular the τοῦ G3588 Article - Genitive Masculine Singular Lord Κυρίου G2962 Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular vvv εἰ G1487 Conjunction Perhaps ἄρα G687 Conjunction He will forgive ἀφεθήσεταί G863 Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular you σοι G4771 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Singular for the G3588 Article - Nominative Feminine Singular intent ἐπίνοια G1963 Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular of τῆς G3588 Article - Genitive Feminine Singular your σου G4771 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular heart καρδίας G2588 Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Verse 23

Original words

For γὰρ G1063 Conjunction I see that ὁρῶ G3708 Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular you σε G4771 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Singular are ὄντα G1510 Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Singular - εἰς G1519 Preposition poisoned χολὴν G5521 Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular by bitterness πικρίας G4088 Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular and καὶ G2532 Conjunction captive σύνδεσμον G4886 Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular to iniquity ἀδικίας G93 Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Verse 24

Original words

Then δὲ G1161 Conjunction - G3588 Article - Nominative Masculine Singular Simon Σίμων G4613 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular answered Ἀποκριθεὶς G611 Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular . . . εἶπεν G2036 Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular - ὑμεῖς G4771 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Plural Pray Δεήθητε G1189 Verb - Aorist Imperative Passive - 2nd Person Plural to πρὸς G4314 Preposition the τὸν G3588 Article - Accusative Masculine Singular Lord Κύριον G2962 Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular for ὑπὲρ G5228 Preposition me ἐμοῦ G1473 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular so that ὅπως G3704 Conjunction nothing μηδὲν G3367 Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular - ὧν G3739 Personal / Relative Pronoun - Genitive Neuter Plural you have said εἰρήκατε G2046 Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural may happen ἐπέλθῃ G1904 Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular to ἐπ’ G1909 Preposition me ἐμὲ G1473 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular
Verse 25

Original words

And after οὖν G3767 Conjunction - μὲν G3303 Particle [Peter and John] Οἱ G3588 Article - Nominative Masculine Plural had testified διαμαρτυράμενοι G1263 Verb - Aorist Participle Middle - Nominative Masculine Plural and καὶ G2532 Conjunction spoken λαλήσαντες G2980 Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural the τὸν G3588 Article - Accusative Masculine Singular word λόγον G3056 Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular of the τοῦ G3588 Article - Genitive Masculine Singular Lord Κυρίου G2962 Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular they returned ὑπέστρεφον G5290 Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural to εἰς G1519 Preposition Jerusalem Ἱεροσόλυμα G2414 Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural - τε G5037 Conjunction preaching the gospel εὐηγγελίζοντο G2097 Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Plural in many πολλάς G4183 Adjective - Accusative Feminine Plural of the τῶν G3588 Article - Genitive Masculine Plural Samaritan Σαμαριτῶν G4541 Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural villages κώμας G2968 Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural

Berean Standard Bible (BSB): CC0 Public Domain Scripture text. Focused passages are drawn from the same reader contract as the full chapter. Reference sources explains external study-link sources.