Scattering and Samaria
Acts 8:1–8FocusThe word goes outward
Connection to the wholePersecution scatters the church, and Philip's preaching in Samaria shows the witness expanding beyond Jerusalem.
interpretation Acts 8:30
KJVAnd Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
Read it in context
Philip and the Ethiopian
Start reading at Acts 8:26 (Acts 8:26 to Acts 8:40).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
Philip explains Isaiah in relation to Jesus, and the traveller's response leads to baptism before the two continue on different journeys.
- 8:26 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.
- 8:27 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,
- 8:28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
- 8:29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
- 8:30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
- 8:31 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.
- 8:32 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:
- 8:33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.
- 8:34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?
- 8:35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
- 8:36 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?
- 8:37 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.
- 8:38 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.
- 8:39 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.
- 8:40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Luke, the physician and companion of Paul, is the traditional author of Acts and the Gospel of Luke. Biblical references: Acts 1:1; Luke 1:3; Colossians 4:14. Historical source: Anchor Bible Dictionary, Luke–Acts. traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Acts 8:1–8:40): Philip preaches among Samaritans; Peter and John come to the believers there. Philip later explains Isaiah to the Ethiopian official traveling from Jerusalem. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Theophilus, the same named recipient as Luke's Gospel, with the account also serving the wider Christian readership. Biblical references: Acts 1:1; Luke 1:3. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Philip and the Ethiopian. Read Acts 8:26 through Acts 8:40 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? Philip explains Isaiah in relation to Jesus, and the traveller's response leads to baptism before the two continue on different journeys. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? Acts begins after Jesus' resurrection and follows the witness through Pentecost, expansion among peoples, and Paul's arrival in Rome. It does not give a final publication date. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The movement extends from Jerusalem through Judea and Samaria toward wider regions and Rome, as announced in Acts 1:8. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Philip and the Ethiopian (Acts 8:26 to Acts 8:40). Start reading at Acts 8:26. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The risen Jesus commissions the witnesses, and their preaching centers on Him. The accounts include repentance, baptism in Jesus' name, and reception of the Holy Ghost; keep the details and order stated for each event. See Acts 1:8, Acts 2:38, Acts 10:44, Acts 10:48, Acts 19:5, Acts 19:6. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Compare conversion accounts carefully, preserving what each one actually narrates. Do not invent an omitted detail or flatten every episode into an identical sequence. interpretation
Cited: Acts 8:26, Acts 8:40, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:38, Acts 10:44, Acts 10:48, Acts 19:5, Acts 19:6
Who wrote it, and how we know
Luke
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book opens by referring to the author's former treatise to Theophilus, tying it to Luke, and shifts into first-person plural in the travel accounts.
Acts 1:1Acts 16:10
Early traditionEarly testimony names Luke.
What is debatedThe name is not in the text.
Old Testament prophecy and New Testament fulfillment
The notes distinguish explicit fulfillment statements from other explicit New Testament applications. They do not assume every detail of the surrounding prophecy has already been fulfilled.
The servant led to slaughter
NT explicitly applies this passage
- Old Testament: Isaiah 53:7–8
- New Testament: Acts 8:26–35 (current passage)
Acts identifies the passage the Ethiopian was reading and says Philip began with that Scripture and preached Jesus. The connection is made in the NT itself.
Related passages
- ran thither Acts 8:27 Ps 119:32 Eccl 9:10 John 4:34
- Understandest Matt 13:19,23,51 Matt 15:10 Matt 24:15 Mark 13:14 Luke 24:44-45 John 5:39 1 Cor 14:19 Eph 5:17
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Time covered by Acts
About 30 years
- AD 30 or 33Approximate beginning · Acts 1
The risen Jesus instructs His apostles
Acts begins after Jesus’ resurrection and describes His ascension. - About AD 62Approximate ending · Acts 28
Paul teaches while confined in Rome
The account closes with Paul receiving visitors and teaching during two full years in his rented lodging.
The narrative moves from Jerusalem to Rome over roughly three decades. Chapters do not represent equal amounts of time.
View historical notes and sources
Using a beginning in AD 30 or 33 and an ending around AD 62 gives approximately 29–32 years. These are reconstructed dates for the events, not a date for the writing of Acts. The book does not explicitly total its elapsed years.
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Acts 8
Acts addresses Theophilus as a continuation of the earlier account and follows the witnesses empowered by the Holy Ghost. Acts 1:8 supplies an important geographical frame: Jerusalem, Judaea and Samaria, and the uttermost part of the earth.
Samaritan believers and Simon
Acts 8:9–25FocusBaptism, the Spirit, and a rebuke
Connection to the wholeThe Samaritans' baptism and reception of the Holy Ghost are narrated alongside Simon's attempt to purchase authority, which Peter sharply rebukes.
interpretation FocusScripture explained and baptism
Connection to the wholePhilip explains Isaiah in relation to Jesus, and the traveller's response leads to baptism before the two continue on different journeys.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Acts
Acts addresses Theophilus as a continuation of the earlier account and follows the witnesses empowered by the Holy Ghost. Acts 1:8 supplies an important geographical frame: Jerusalem, Judaea and Samaria, and the uttermost part of the earth.
The promised power and the Jerusalem church
Acts 1:1–2:47FocusWitness begins
Connection to the wholeJesus' promise, the coming of the Holy Ghost, Peter's preaching, and the hearers' response establish the beginning of the church's witness.
interpretation Witness and opposition in Jerusalem
Acts 3:1–7:60FocusBoldness, order, and rejection
Connection to the wholePublic testimony and growth are accompanied by internal needs and increasing opposition, culminating in Stephen's death.
interpretation FocusSamaria, Saul, and Gentile hearers
Connection to the wholePersecution scatters believers; new fields open, Saul is called, and the reception of Gentiles becomes a matter publicly explained to the church.
interpretation Mission and the Gentile question
Acts 13:1–15:35FocusChurches established and the council
Connection to the wholeThe first missionary journey and the Jerusalem deliberation address the place of Gentile believers without making circumcision the entrance requirement.
interpretation Further journeys and growing churches
Acts 15:36–21:16FocusStrengthening and expanding witness
Connection to the wholePaul and his companions travel through new regions and revisit churches, moving toward the journey to Jerusalem despite coming danger.
interpretation Arrest, hearings, and Rome
Acts 21:17–28:31FocusTestimony through imprisonment
Connection to the wholePaul's custody becomes a setting for witness before authorities and brings him to Rome, where the account closes with continued proclamation.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.