ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Acts 8

Acts 8:1 they were all scattered. See note on John 7:35. This “dispersion” led to the fulfillment of the promise in Acts 1:8 (see James 1:1; 1 Pet. 1:1).

Acts 8:3 Saul (later called Paul) was instrumental in the persecution, as he testifies later in Acts (22:4–5; 26:10–11) and in his epistles (1 Cor. 15:9; Gal. 1:13, 23; Phil. 3:6; 1 Tim. 1:13).

Acts 8:5 Philip most likely visited Sebaste, the main city of the Samaritans, located at the foot of their holy mountain Gerizim. The Samaritans were a racially and religiously mixed group of partly Jewish and partly Gentile ancestry. They were disliked by both Jews and non-Jews (see note on John 4:4).

Acts 8:6 The Samaritans had their own expectation of a prophetic Messiah. They believed he would come to Mt. Gerizim (see John 4:20). John the Baptist and Jesus had previously ministered in this area (John 3:23; 4:4–42). Like the apostles, Philip had received the Holy Spirit’s power to cast out demons and to heal. This confirmed the truth of his message.

Acts 8:9 On ancient magic, see note on 13:6.

Acts 8:13 Commentators differ over whether Simon had genuine saving faith. Peter’s strong rebuke of Simon suggests that he did not (see vv. 20–21).

Acts 8:14 The apostles at Jerusalem retained their authority over the entire church. When they heard of Philip’s mission, they sent Peter and John to confirm the accuracy of his message.

Acts 8:17 they received the Holy Spirit. The Lord waited to demonstrate the full power of the Holy Spirit (vv. 15–16) until some of the apostles themselves could be present. This way there would be no question at all that the Samaritans had received the Holy Spirit in the same way that the Jewish Christians had (see Rom. 11:13–24; Eph. 2:11–22).

Acts 8:18 Simon saw that the Spirit was given. Since Simon observed this, there must have been some outward evidence of the Spirit. This may have been speaking in tongues, prophesying, or both (see 10:46; 19:6). offered them money. Magicians often exchanged secrets for money.

Acts 8:21 Neither part nor lot is OT language for having no share in something (see Deut. 14:27). This seems to indicate that Simon has now shown the condition of his heart and that he does not belong to God’s people (but see note on Acts 8:13).

Acts 8:24 Whether Simon truly repents is unclear.

Acts 8:25 The apostles’ preaching in many villages of the Samaritans fulfills 1:8.

Acts 8:26–27 Gaza was the last watering place before the desert on the road from Jerusalem to Egypt. Ethiopia was the ancient Nubian Kingdom, south of Aswan on the Nile. eunuch. In the OT and NT, eunuchs were royal officials. Some were emasculated, but not all. He had been to Jerusalem to worship, so the eunuch was probably a “God-fearer,” a Gentile who worshiped Israel’s God but had not become a full convert. Isaiah (v. 28) promised that God would grant faithful eunuchs a heritage “better than sons and daughters” (Isa. 56:3–5). He also promised that Nubians would worship the Lord (Isa. 18:7).

Acts 8:30 People usually read aloud in those days, so Philip would recognize that the eunuch was reading Isa. 53:7–8.

Acts 8:39 carried . . . away. Compare 2 Kings 2:11.

Acts 8:40 Philip was sent to the coastal region, first to Azotus (OT Ashdod), then to Caesarea, where he seems to have settled (see 21:8). Caesarea had a large Greek-speaking population. Originally a small harbor town, it was rebuilt by Herod the Great with a greatly improved harbor, a hippodrome, and an aqueduct. In Philip’s day it was the seat of the Roman government of Judea. Tense relations existed between its Jewish and Gentile inhabitants.