Acts 8 Acts 8:1–8 The disciples being dispersed by reason of a great persecution at Jerusalem, a church is planted by Philip in Samaria. Acts 8:9–13 Simon the sorcerer is baptized, with many others.

Consenting unto his death; well pleased with it, (as the word implies), and did approve it in thought, word, and deed, Acts 22:4, Acts 22:20; which is here noted in the beginning of the narrative concerning this great apostle, that we might consider οιος εξ οιου, what a great change the grace of…

It was an argument that they were devout (religious) indeed, that they durst, amongst such a multitude of persecutors and furious zealots, own their esteem for St. Stephen.

He made havoc of the church; Saul was a degree beyond the ordinary sort of persecutors, and was, as he does acknowledge himself, eminently injurious, 1 Tim. 1:13. Entering into every house; house after house, sparing none. Haling men and women; as by the hair of their heads.

Now the partition wall was about to be broken down, and the Gentiles to be taken into the pale of the church, God provides this strange means towards it.

Philip; not the apostle, but the deacon of that name; for the apostles remained at Jerusalem, as Acts 8:1. Samaria is a name both of a city and a country, so called from the chief city, 1 Kings 16:24; here it is taken for that city, or at least a city in that country.

Gave heed; a good preparation towards their conversion, seeing faith cometh by hearing, Rom. 10:17. Hearing and seeing the miracles which he did; these miracles were as so many evidences of the truth he spake, by which he showed God’s authority for what he said.

Unclean spirits, crying with loud voice; this is frequently mentioned, as Matt. 8:29, Mark 1:26, Mark 3:11, Mark 5:8, Luke 4:41, to show how doth these evil spirits are to be forbid and kept from tormenting and destroying of us; and they are called unclean spirits, because they delight in sin, and…

Great joy; not only for the cures wroght upon their bodies, but much more for the word of reconciliation and salvation preached unto their souls: joy in the Holy Ghost, is one of the effects of the kingdom of God, Rom. 14:17.

Used sorcery; magical enchantments, as a wizard. Bewitched the people; caused them, as men in an ecstasy, to be amazed at and afraid of him. Some great one; as if he had been God, or at least had some great favour with him, and had received some extraordinary power from him.

From the least to the greatest; showing how general their mispersuasion was; and no condition is exempt from the grossest mistakes, if not prevented by the grace of God.

They had regard; they acquiesced in what he said, and yielded obedience unto it; not only attending to his words with their ears, but with their hearts: so true is that which our Saviour says, John 5:43, If any man come in his own name, him will ye receive.

When they believed; before they were baptized, being adult and strangers from the covenant, they must first evidence their right unto it, and profess their faith in Christ, and testify their conversation.

Simon himself believed; Simon believed with an historical faith, that it was indeed true, that our Saviour had done miracles, and did rise from the dead, but his faith, to be sure, was dead all the while; neither did he believe with his heart, or purpose to live according to the law of Christ,…

These were sent that they might further confirm the doctrine which Philip had preached amongst the Samaritans, and by apostolical authority constitute a church in Samaria.

They; Peter and John. Prayed for them; in this particular they did not pray for all that believed, amongst whom there were several women, Acts 8:12. That they might receive the Holy Ghost; those extraordinary gifts of tongues, of prophesying of working miracles, &c. See Acts 10:45.

For as yet he was fallen upon none of them; by which it is plain that the Holy Ghost as the author of saving grace, is not here meant, for so he was fallen upon all them that did believe, for faith is the gift of God; but he was not yet bestowed upon them as the author of those extraordinary gifts…

That this laying on of the hands of the apostles was not intended here as any rite whereby the apostles did confirm some, or ordain others, seems evident from the context.

The Holy Ghost; those extraordinary gifts before mentioned; for this appeared visibly and audibly, and by this indeed was signified the great change God’s Spirit makes where he comes.

Such an extraordinary power of working miracles he did not desire that he might glorify God, or confirm the truths of the gospel (now professed by him); but out of an insatiable desire of gain, and ambition to keep up his reputation, seeing how the apostles had done beyond what he was able to do.

Thy money perish with thee; a formal execration or curse, not only on his money, but also upon Simon himself; but always to be conditional, viz. unless he repented.

Neither part nor lot in this matter; no inheritance or share in such a thing as this, to wit, either in the receiving or conferring the Holy Ghost; or in that eternal life which we preach; thou hast no part in it, neither art thou fit to be a minister of it.

The only remedy and help in his (otherwise) desperate case. This is not spoken as if it were doubtful whether true repentance should obtain pardon, but whether Simon Magus’s repentance were true.

The gall of bitterness; the same with gall and wormwood, Deut. 29:18; or gall and bitterness; signifying a very bad constitution and disposition of soul or mind, such as may be compared unto that meat which the gall of any creature hath corrupted.

Simon Magus was convinced that he was indeed such as the apostles had spoken him to be; and knowing them to be powerful with God, he desires this of them. He feigns himself to be a true penitent, being terrified with the threatening of St.

Not only in the chief city, but in the smallest villages, these great apostles spend their pains; for so it was promised unto them that they should receive power to do, Acts 1:8.

Some speak of two Gazas, one distinguished from the other by this epithet of desert; but rather there were two ways unto one and the same Gaza, and that it was not the city but the way unto it, which is called desert; by which difference, here mentioned, the angel admonishes Philip not to go the…

A man of Ethiopia: the Ethiopians were the most despicable unto the Jews; and Homer calls them, εσχατοι ανορων; but God would now show that there is no difference of nations with him; but in every nation, he that worketh righteousness shall be accepted, Acts 10:35.

He had some knowledge of the true God, whom he came to worship, and he endeavours after more: and to him that thus hath, shall be given; and they that thus seek, shall find.

The Spirit said, either by the ministry of an angel, as Acts 8:26, or by inspiration immediately by himself. Go near; so near that you may speak with him that sits in it. Join thyself to this chariot; stick close unto it, and leave it not.

Philip ran thither to him; hastening to obey the Divine command, and coveting to gain a soul. Heard him read the prophet Esaias, with a loud voice, it is like, to instruct some of his attendants.

A wonderful modesty and humility in so great a man: he takes well Philip’s interposing, and questioning with him; he acknowledges his ignorance, and desires further instruction, and condescends to be taught by one so much his inferior.

God’s providence is remarkable, that the eunuch should be reading this very scripture, which contains such fundamental truths, and which he had most need for to be informed of. The words referred unto are in Isa. 53:7.

In his humiliation; when our blessed Saviour was in his lowest condition, and the utmost degree of his exinanition; his soul being made a sacrifice for us, and suffering that desertion for a time we had merited for ever, and his body laid in the grave as in a prison; then his judgment, the…

Of whom speaketh the prophet this? The modestly inquisitive man does get understanding; this question (God so ordering it) brings in the discourse concerning our Saviour.

Opened his mouth; so they were said to do when they began to speak of some weighty matter. Began at the same Scripture; showing that the prophet, in that most signal prophecy, Isa. 53:7–8 could not mean such things of himself, nor of Jeremiah, or of any other.

A certain water; this water is supposed to be a fountain in a town called Bethsora, or a river called Eleutherus, which in that road must needs be passed over; it being otherwise very dry, and water very scarce there.

With all thine heart: a verbal profession is not a sufficient believing, Rom. 10:10 though we can discern no other, yet God can, and will not he mocked: Philip, in God’s name, requires a faith with all the heart, and not such as Simon Magus had, who is said to believe, and be baptized, Acts 8:13.

In hot countries this was usual, to baptize by dipping the body in the water; and to this the apostle alludes, when he tells the Corinthians, 1 Cor. 6:1, that they are washed: but God will have mercy, and not sacrifice; sprinkling being as effectual as washing, and as significative also,…

Philip was suddenly and extraordinarily taken away from the eunuch’s sight and company, that thereby the eunuch might be the more assured of the truth of those things which had been taught by him.

Philip was set down by the Spirit at Ashdod of the Philistines, which is called by the Septuagint Azotus: names of persons and places do in tract of time vary. This place had been famous for the idol Dagon, 1 Sam.