_And Saul was consenting_ Ην συνευδοκων τη αναιρεσει αυτου, _was consenting with delight; to his death_ Or, more literally, _was well pleased with his slaughter;_ for he was so full of rage and malice against the Christian name, that he thought no severities were too great to be exercised on those w... [ Continue Reading ]
_As for Saul_ Who was one of the main instruments in this persecution; _he made havoc of the church_ Like some furious beast of prey. So the Greek word properly signifies. He did his utmost to ruin it, not caring what mischief he did to the disciples of Christ, and setting no bounds to his rage and... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then Philip_, &c. The sacred historian here proceeds to record one particular instance of the success of the preaching of the persons dispersed by the above-mentioned persecution. The Philip here spoken of was not the apostle of that name, for all the apostles continued at Jerusalem, (Acts 8:1,) an... [ Continue Reading ]
_But there was_, &c. At the time when the gospel was thus brought to them by Philip, a man was there, _called Simon, which before- time in the same city used sorcery_ Greek, _had been_ μαγευων, _using magic arts._ Some think the expression is entirely of the same signification with the word μαγος, a... [ Continue Reading ]
_But when they believed Philip_, &c. When they became spectators of Philip's miracles, and were convinced that they were real, and those of Simon a mere sham; or, when they believed the doctrine that Philip preached, _concerning the kingdom of God_, they then saw and felt the real power of God, and... [ Continue Reading ]
_When the apostles heard that Samaria_ That the inhabitants of that country, or of the chief city thereof; _had received the word of God_ By faith; being desirous that these new converts should be further settled in their Christian profession, by receiving those spiritual gifts which no inferior tea... [ Continue Reading ]
_And when Simon_ The magician, spoken of before; _saw_ With astonishment; _that through laying on of the apostles' hands_ On the heads of many individuals, lately converted to the Christian faith; _the Holy Ghost was given_ In his extraordinary operations; _he offered them money_ And hence the procu... [ Continue Reading ]
_But Peter said, Thy money perish with thee_ Not being able to conceal his indignation, upon hearing so infamous an offer. His words are not to be considered as an imprecation, but as a strong admonition to Simon of his danger, and an intimation, how much rather the apostle would see the greatest su... [ Continue Reading ]
_Repent, therefore, of this thy wickedness_ Be humbled and ashamed for what thou hast thought, said, and done; own thyself guilty in this matter, and be sorry for it; condemn thy way, and amend it; and be a new creature in Christ. _And pray to God_ He must pray that God would give him repentance, an... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then answered Simon_ Alarmed by the solemn admonition given him; _and said_ To the apostles; _Pray ye to the Lord for me_ If you indeed conceive my case to be so bad, extend your charity so far as to make your supplications to the Lord on my account; _that none of these things, which ye have spoken... [ Continue Reading ]
_And when they had testified, and preached the word of the Lord_ Had borne a solemn testimony by word and deed to the truth of the gospel, and confirmed what Philip had preached; they _returned to Jerusalem_ To the other ten apostles, having executed their commission, and performed the errand on whi... [ Continue Reading ]
_And_ After the important affairs above mentioned were despatched at Samaria, and a church was established there, and supplied with proper pastors and teachers; _the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip_ Probably in a dream or vision by night; _saying, Arise, and go toward the south_ Though angels we... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then the Spirit_ By that secret suggestion which inspired persons could distinguish with certainty as divine revelation; _said to Philip, Go near_ Now Philip shall know the reason of his being sent into a desert; _join thyself to this chariot_ Enter into conversation with the person who sits in it,... [ Continue Reading ]
_The place_ Η περιοχη, _the portion_, or _paragraph, of the Scripture which he read was, He was led_, &c. These words were taken from Isaiah 53:8; where, that the prophet speaks of Christ, no Christian can reasonably doubt, there being scarce a verse in the whole chapter which is not by the Holy Gho... [ Continue Reading ]
_The eunuch said, Of whom speaketh the prophet this_ He asks a very important question, a question necessary to be resolved, in order to the understanding of the prophecy; _of himself_ Does the prophet speak this of himself, in expectation of being treated as the other prophets were? or, does he spe... [ Continue Reading ]
_And as they went on their way_ Discoursing together of the person and sufferings of Christ, and of the method of salvation by him; _they came to a certain water_ For even the circumstances of the journey were under the direction of God; and the eunuch, having learned what was the rite of initiation... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he commanded the chariot to stand still_ Namely, upon Philip's declaring his satisfaction in this profession of his faith in Christ, and subjection to him, and readily consenting to receive him as a fellow Christian. _And they went down both_ Namely, out of the chariot; _into the water_ Or rath... [ Continue Reading ]
_And when they were come up out of the water_ Or, _from the water_, as εκ του υδατος may be properly rendered; _the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip_ Namely, in a miraculous manner, probably transporting him, part of the way at least, through the air; a thing which seems to have happened with r... [ Continue Reading ]
_But Philip_ Quickly after he was separated from the eunuch; _was found at Azotus_ Or Ashdod, a city that was more than thirty miles from Gaza. Probably none saw him from the time of his leaving the eunuch till he was there. _And passing through_ That part of the country; _he preached in all the cit... [ Continue Reading ]