Acts 8

Last updated
Acts 8
  chapter 7
chapter 9  
P050-Act-8 26-32-IV-V.jpg
Acts 8:26–32 in Papyrus 50, written in 3rd century.
Book Acts of the Apostles
Category Church history
Christian Bible part New Testament
Order in the Christian part5

Acts 8 is the eighth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It records the burial of Stephen, the beginnings of Christian persecution, the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of Samaria and the conversion of an Ethiopian official. The book containing this chapter is anonymous, but early Christian tradition uniformly affirmed that Luke composed this book as well as the Gospel of Luke. [1] Parts of this chapter (verses 5-13 and 26-40) may have been drawn from an earlier "Philip cycle of stories" used by Luke in assembling his material. [2]

Contents

Text

The original text was written in Koine Greek. This chapter is divided into 40 verses.

Textual witnesses

Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter are:

In Greek
In Latin

Old Testament references

New Testament references

Locations

Israel relief location map.jpg
Places mentioned in this chapter (with Jerusalem as reference)

This chapter mentions the following places:

Saul's approval of Stephen's death (8:1a)

The writer of Acts introduces Saul, later the Apostle Paul, as an active witness of Stephen's death in Acts 7:58, and confirmed his approval in Acts 8:1a. Reuben Torrey, in his Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, suggests that this clause [i.e. verse 8:1a] "evidently belongs to the conclusion of the previous chapter". [5]

Verse 1

[a] And Saul was consenting to his death.
[b] On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem. And they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. [6]

The church scattered (8:1b–4)

The narrative here is focused around two geographical poles: Jerusalem, where the apostles stay (verses 1b, 14) and the "countryside of Judea and Samaria", where the rest of the church is "scattered" (verse 1b), with unnamed disciples continuing the apostles' task of preaching the gospel (verse 4), as the church history moves on to the middle stage of the apostolic commission in Acts 1:8 [9] The story of church's expansion is interwoven with the record of Stephen's burial (verse 2) and the hint of Saul (later "Paul the apostle") future as a zealous instigator of the persecution, indicating that the community most affected by the wave of persecution to follow was the one to which both Stephen and Saul belonged, the 'synagogues of diaspora origin' (8:5–13 ), because by the time of Acts 9:26 a group of 'disciples' is still in Jerusalem alongside the apostles. [9]

Verse 2

And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. [10]

Heinrich Meyer observes a "double contrast": firstly, that "in spite of the outbreak of persecution which took place on that day, the dead body of the martyr was nevertheless honoured by pious Jews"; and secondly, in verse 3, Saul's persecuting zeal is contrasted with this piety. [11] In the Greek word συγκομίζειν (synekomisan, they carried together), the prefix syn- generally means "with", or "together", [12] suggesting that the men carried Stephen's body away together, but Meyer also emphasises that his body was placed with other dead bodies at a burial-place. [11]

Verse 4

Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. [13]

While the apostles remain in Jerusalem, "unnamed disciples exploit their scattered condition to spread the gospel". [9]

Philip's mission in Samaria (8:4-13)

The story of Philip's preaching serves as an example of 'a highly successful work of evangelism, accompanied by miraculous healings which impress the population' (verses 6, 8). The work brings about wonders, 'belief and baptism, i.e. intellectual conviction and entry into a new community', which even impresses a competitor, Simon (Magus) (verse 13), who used to 'bewitch' the Samaritans with sorceries (verses 9,10). [9]

Verse 5

Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. [14]

The coming of the Spirit in Samaria (8:14–25)

This section highlights 'two related issues of church order': [9]

  1. The role of the apostles: in a supervisory role to keep an eye on new developments and to perform 'apostolic visitation' (verse 14).
  2. Baptism and the Spirit: The sequence of events seems to imply that 'baptism in the name of Jesus' (verse 12, 16) and the reception of the Spirit (verse 15) were 'two distinct events for the Samaritans' and that the Spirit could only come with the laying on of hands by the apostles (verse 17), but this should not be treated as a universal formula, because elsewhere in the book, the Spirit comes before baptism (e.g. 10:44–48), or is not recorded at all (e.g. 8:38). [9]

Verse 16

For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. [15]

Philip and the Ethiopian (8:26–40)

The Baptism of the Eunuch, 1626, Rembrandt Rembrandt, The Baptism of the Eunuch, 1626, Museum Catharijneconvent, Utrecht.jpg
The Baptism of the Eunuch, 1626, Rembrandt

Philip's other significant evangelistic task is to meet an Ethiopian on the way to Gaza (to go back to Ethiopia), following the divine guidance, both angel (verse 26) and Spirit (verse 29, 39). In this part, Luke shows the exact geography of Philip's route: due south from Samaria intersects at Eleutheropolis with the Jerusalem–Gaza road (verse 26: epi means "down to" or "to meet"), and the miraculous timing of the journey: just at that moment kai idou, "and behold", verse 27), Philip's path crosses the route of the Ethiopian pilgrim, heading west to strike the coast road towards Egypt. [18]

Verse 26

Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." This is a desert place. [19]

The Greek κατὰ μεσημβρίαν (kata mesēmbrian) may mean "towards the south" or "at noon". [20] A marginal note in the Revised Version, the text of the Jerusalem Bible, [21] and the Ethiopic text [22] all state "at noon". The paraphrase in the Living Bible suggests that the directive given to Philip was to arrive "about noon". [23]

Verse 37

Then 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.” [24]

This verse is absent from the majority of the Greek manuscripts, but it is present in some, including E (6th or 7th century). It is cited by Irenaeus (c. 180) [25] and by Cyprian (c. 250), [26] and is found in the Old Latin (2nd/3rd century) and the Vulgate (380–400) translations. In his notes Erasmus says that he took this reading from the margin of 4ap [ clarification needed ] and incorporated it into the Textus Receptus. [27] J. A. Alexander (1857) suggested that this verse, though genuine, was omitted by many scribes, "as unfriendly to the practice of delaying baptism, which had become common, if not prevalent, before the end of the 3rd century." [28]

Acts 8:38 on Codex Angelicus (Uncial 020) from the 9th century. Uncial 020 (GA) Acts 8,38.png
Acts 8:38 on Codex Angelicus (Uncial 020) from the 9th century.

Verse 40

But Philip was found at Azotus.
And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea. [29]

See also

Notes

  1. See BDAG 64 s.v.; 2 Maccabees 5:13; Josephus, in Antiquities of the Jews , 5.2.12 [5.165]. [7]
  2. Acts 10:10 cannot be supported, and in Acts 13:11 read ἔπεσεν. [17]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Philip the Evangelist</span> 1st-century Christian saint

Philip the Evangelist appears several times in the Acts of the Apostles. He was one of the Seven chosen to care for the poor of the Christian community in Jerusalem. He preached and performed miracles in Samaria, and met and baptised an Ethiopian man, a eunuch, on the road from Jerusalem to Gaza, traditionally marking the start of the Ethiopian Church. Later, Philip lived in Caesarea Maritima with his four daughters who prophesied, where he was visited by Paul the Apostle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John 4</span> Chapter of the New Testament

John 4 is the fourth chapter of the Gospel of John in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. The eternality of Jesus. The major part of this chapter recalls Jesus' conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well in Sychar. In verses 43-54, he returns to Galilee, where he heals a royal official's son.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luke 9</span> Chapter of the New Testament

Luke 9 is the ninth chapter of the Gospel of Luke in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It records the sending of the twelve disciples, several great miracles performed by Jesus, the story of his transfiguration, Peter's confession and the final departure from Galilee towards Jerusalem. Scottish minister William Robertson Nicoll describes this chapter as unfolding "sundry particulars which together form the closing scenes of the Galilean ministry". The book containing this chapter is anonymous, but early Christian tradition uniformly affirmed that Luke the Evangelist composed this Gospel as well as the Acts of the Apostles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ethiopian eunuch</span> Figure in the New Testaments Acts chapter 8

The Ethiopian eunuch is a figure in the New Testament of the Bible. The story of his conversion to Christianity at the preaching of Philip the Evangelist is recounted in Acts 8.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acts 15</span> Chapter of the New Testament

Acts 15 is the fifteenth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It records "the first great controversy in the records of the Christian Church", concerning the necessity of circumcision, Paul and Barnabas traveling to Jerusalem to attend the Council of Jerusalem and the beginning of Paul's second missionary journey. The book containing this chapter is anonymous, but early Christian tradition uniformly affirmed that Luke composed this book as well as the Gospel of Luke.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acts 12</span> Chapter of the New Testament

Acts 12 is the twelfth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It records the death of the first apostle, James, son of Zebedee, followed by the miraculous escape of Peter from prison, the death of Herod Agrippa I, and the early ministry of Barnabas and Paul of Tarsus. The book containing this chapter is anonymous, but early Christian tradition uniformly affirmed that Luke composed this book as well as the Gospel of Luke.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acts 10</span> Chapter of the New Testament

Acts 10 is the tenth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. The book containing this chapter is anonymous but early Christian tradition uniformly affirmed that Luke composed this book as well as the Gospel of Luke. This chapter records the vision of Saint Peter and his meeting with Cornelius in Caesarea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acts 1</span> Chapter of the New Testament

Acts 1 is the first chapter of the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. The book containing this chapter is anonymous, but early Christian tradition affirmed that Luke composed this book as well as the Gospel of Luke. This chapter functions as a transition from the "former account" with a narrative prelude, repeated record of the ascension of Jesus Christ with more detail and the meeting of Jesus' followers, until before Pentecost.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acts 5</span> Chapter of the New Testament

Acts 5 is the fifth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It records the growth of the early church and the obstacles it encountered. The book containing this chapter is anonymous but early Christian tradition affirmed that Luke composed this book as well as the Gospel of Luke. The contents of this chapter include the history of Ananias and Sapphira, an account of the miraculous power and dignity of the Apostles, their imprisonment and liberation, examination before the Sanhedrin, and scourging, and finally Gamaliel's advice to the Sanhedrin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acts 6</span> Chapter of the New Testament

Acts 6 is the sixth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It records the institution of the first seven deacons, and the work of one of them, Stephen. The book containing this chapter is anonymous but early Christian tradition uniformly affirmed that Luke composed this book as well as the Gospel of Luke. Joseph T. Lienhard refers to a "Stephen cycle" evident in the deliberate connection between the institution of the seven and the narrative about Stephen in this chapter and chapter 7.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acts 7</span> Chapter of the New Testament

Acts 7 is the seventh chapter of the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It records the address of Stephen before the Sanhedrin and his execution outside Jerusalem, and introduces Saul. The book containing this chapter is anonymous, but early Christian tradition uniformly affirmed that Luke composed this book as well as the Gospel of Luke.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acts 9</span> Chapter of the New Testament

Acts 9 is the ninth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It records Saul's conversion and the works of Saint Peter. The book containing this chapter is anonymous but early Christian tradition uniformly affirmed that Luke composed this book as well as the Gospel of Luke.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acts 11</span> Chapter of the New Testament

Acts 11 is the eleventh chapter of the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It records that Saint Peter defends his visit to Cornelius in Caesarea and retells his vision prior to the meeting as well as the pouring of Holy Spirit during the meeting. The book containing this chapter is anonymous but early Christian tradition uniformly affirmed that Luke composed this book as well as the Gospel of Luke.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acts 13</span> Chapter of the New Testament

Acts 13 is the thirteenth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It records the first missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas to Cyprus and Pisidia. The book containing this chapter is anonymous, but early Christian tradition uniformly affirmed that Luke composed this book as well as the Gospel of Luke. From this point onwards, except for the Council held in Jerusalem, Luke's narrative focusses on Paul, his ministry, and the events of his life.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acts 21</span> Chapter of the New Testament

Acts 21 is the twenty-first chapter of the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It records the end of Paul's third missionary journey and his arrival and reception in Jerusalem. The narrator and his companions ("we") play an active part in the developments in this chapter. The book containing this chapter is anonymous, but early Christian tradition uniformly affirmed that Luke composed this book as well as the Gospel of Luke.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acts 22</span> Chapter of the New Testament

Acts 22 is the twenty-second chapter of the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It records the events leading to Paul's imprisonment in Jerusalem. The book containing this chapter is anonymous, but early Christian tradition uniformly affirmed that Luke composed this book as well as the Gospel of Luke.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acts 23</span> Chapter of the New Testament

Acts 23 is the twenty-third chapter of the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It records the period of Paul's imprisonment in Jerusalem and then in Caesarea. The book containing this chapter is anonymous, but early Christian tradition uniformly affirmed that Luke composed this book as well as the Gospel of Luke.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acts 24</span> Chapter of the New Testament

Acts 24 is the twenty-fourth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It records the period of Paul's imprisonment in Caesarea. The book containing this chapter is anonymous, but early Christian tradition uniformly affirmed that Luke composed this book as well as the Gospel of Luke.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acts 25</span> Chapter of the New Testament

Acts 25 is the twenty-fifth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It records the period of Paul's imprisonment in Caesarea. The book containing this chapter is anonymous, but early Christian tradition uniformly affirmed that Luke composed this book as well as the Gospel of Luke.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ephesians 4</span> Chapter of the New Testament

Ephesians 4 is the fourth chapter of the Epistle to the Ephesians in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. Traditionally, it is believed to have been written by Apostle Paul while he was in prison in Rome, but more recently, it has been suggested that it was written between AD 80 and 100 by another writer using Paul's name and style. This chapter is a part of Paul's exhortation, with the particular section about the mutual interdependence of the Christians as the church and how they should live in the world (4:17–5:20).

References

  1. Holman Illustrated Bible Handbook. Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee. 2012.
  2. Dickerson, P. L., The Sources of the Account of the Mission to Samaria in Acts 8:5-25, Novum Testamentum , July 1997, Vol. 39, Fasc. 3, pp. 219, accessed 21 April 2024
  3. Bruce M. Metzger, The Early Versions of the New Testament, Oxford University Press, 1977, p. 316.
  4. "Biblical concordances of Acts 8 in the 1611 King James Version".
  5. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on Acts 8:1, accessed 8 December 2016
  6. Acts 8:1: MEV
  7. Note a at Acts 8:1 in the NET Bible
  8. Acts 8:1: ESV
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Alexander 2007, p. 1038.
  10. Acts 8:2: New King James Version
  11. 1 2 Meyer, H. A. W., Meyer's NT Commentary on Acts 8, translated from the German sixth edition, accessed 22 April 2024
  12. Wiktionary, the free dictionary, syn, accessed 22 April 2024
  13. Acts 8:4: MEV
  14. Acts 8:5 KJV
  15. Acts 8:16 NKJV
  16. Hebrew Text Analysis: Acts 8:16. Biblehub
  17. 1 2 Nicoll, W. R., Expositor's Greek Testament. Acts 8. Accessed 24 April 2019.
  18. Alexander 2007, p. 1039.
  19. Acts 8:26: ESV
  20. Strong's Concordance, 3314. mesémbria, accessed 23 April 2024
  21. Jerusalem Bible (1966), Acts 8:26
  22. Gill, J., Gill's Exposition on Acts 8, accessed 23 April 2024
  23. Tyndale House Foundation, Acts 8:26: The Living Bible
  24. Acts 8:37 NKJV
  25. Citation on this verse by Irenaeus (c. AD 180): "[Philip declared] that this was Jesus, and that the Scripture was fulfilled in Him; as did also the believing eunuch himself: and, immediately requesting to be baptized, he said, "I believe Jesus Christ to be the Son of God." This man was also sent into the regions of Ethiopia, to preach what he had himself believed, that there was one God preached by the prophets, but that the Son of this [God] had already made [His] appearance in human nature (secundum hominem)" (Irenaeus (AD 140–200). Against Heresies. Book III).
  26. Citation by Cyprian: "For although in the Acts of the Apostles the eunuch is described as at once baptized by Philip, because "he believed with his whole heart," this is not a fair parallel. For he was a Jew, and as he came from the temple of the Lord he was reading the prophet Isaiah," (Cyprian (200–258). The Life and Passion of Cyprian, Bishop and Martyr. paragraph 3)
  27. Edward F. Hills (1912–1981), "The King James Version Defended: A Christian View of the New Testament Manuscripts" (1956). Chapter 8, The Christian Research Press; 4th edition (August 1997) ISBN   0915923009 ISBN   978-0915923007
  28. The Acts Of The Apostles, by J. A. Alexander, New York: Scribner, 1967, vol. 1, pp. 349–350.
  29. Acts 8:40 NKJV
  30. 1 2 3 Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

Sources