_CRITICAL REMARKS_ Acts 8:1. CONSENTING.—Compare Acts 22:20; Luke 11:48; Romans 1:32. Luke had probably often heard this remark from Paul. AT THAT TIME.—Lit., _on that day_—viz., of Stephen’s murder, which had been the signal for an outbreak of hostility against the Christians. ALL.—Not to be taken... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL REMARKS_ Acts 8:5. PHILIP.—Not the apostle, but the deacon (Acts 6:4). THE CITY OF SAMARIA—according to the best MSS.—signifies that the capital built by Omri (1 Kings 16:24), and renamed Sebaste by Herod the Great (Jos., _Ant._, XX. Acts 6:2), was the place to which Philip went; if with... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL REMARKS_ Acts 8:9. SIMON.—Not the Cyprian Jew of that name whom, according to Josephus (_Ant._, XX. vii. 2), Felix afterwards employed to persuade Drusilla to leave for him her husband. King Azizus of Emesa (De Wette, Neander, Hilgenfeld, Alford), but, according to Justin Martyr (_Apol._,... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL REMARKS_ Acts 8:14. SENT.—The mission of the two apostles, Peter and John, is not said to have had as its motive the imparting of the Holy Spirit to the Samaritans (Holtzmann), although this was undoubtedly a consequence which flowed from their mission. Acts 8:15. PRAYED FOR THEM THAT TH... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL REMARKS_ Acts 8:18. AND WHEN SIMON SAW.—Most likely through hearing the baptised speak with tongues. HE OFFERED THEM MONEY.—From Simon’s name and proposal arose the expression “Simony” for the purchase of spiritual offices. _Inde Simoniœ vocabulum_ (Bengel). Acts 8:19. TO ME ALSO.—_I.e._... [ Continue Reading ]