Other for other man, A.V. The eunuch's intelligent question gave Philip exactly the opening he required for preaching to him Jesus, the Messiah of whom all the prophets spake by the Holy Ghost ( 1 Peter 1:10 , 1 Peter 1:11 ). read more
Answered Philip - That is, “addressed” Phil The Hebrews often use the word “answer” as synonymous with “addressing” one, whether he had spoken or not.Of himself ... - This was a natural inquiry, for there was nothing in the text itself that would determine to whom the reference was. The ancient Jews expressly applied the passage to the Messiah. Thus, the Targum of Jonathan on Isaiah 52:13, “Behold my servant shall deal prudently,” etc., renders it, “Behold, my servant, the Messiah, shall be... read more
Acts 8:34-35 . 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 speak it of some other man In his own age, or in some age to come? Though the modern Jews will not allow it to be spoken of the Messiah, yet their ancient doctors interpreted it of... read more
Christianity enters Philistia (8:26-40)From Samaria Philip headed south towards the region of Philistia on the Mediterranean coast (26). On the way he met another non-Jewish person who responded to his preaching. This man, a government official from Ethiopia in north Africa, was already one of the God-fearers and was reading the Old Testament when Philip met him (27-29). However, he did not understand what he was reading. When Philip explained the Scriptures to him, the man learnt the meaning... read more
And the eunuch answered Philip; and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other? And Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this scripture, preached unto him Jesus.The apostolic preachers all laid heavy emphasis upon the Old Testament prophecies concerning Jesus Christ; and no better place for a beginning could be imagined than the famous 53chapter of Isaiah, so rich with prefigurations of the life of our Lord. Wherever the sermons of those apostolic... read more
34-38. And the eunuch answered, I pray thee, c.—The respect with which he here addresses Philip was prompted by his reverence for one whom he perceived to be his superior in divine things his own worldly position sinking before this. read more
2. Philip’s ministry to the Ethiopian eunuch 8:26-40Luke recorded this incident to show the method and direction of the church’s expansion to God-fearing Gentiles who were attracted to Judaism at this time. The Ethiopian eunuch had visited Jerusalem to worship, was studying the Old Testament, and was open to instruction by a Jew. Therefore he was much more sympathetic to the Christians’ gospel than the average Gentile. This man appears to have been the first full-fledged Gentile that Luke... read more
Philip responded to the eunuch’s perplexity by explaining how Jesus fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy of the Suffering Servant.". . . there is no evidence that anyone in pre-Christian Judaism ever thought of the Messiah in terms of a Suffering Servant." [Note: Longenecker, p. 364.] Most of the Jews regarded Isaiah 52:13 to Isaiah 53:12 as referring to their nation or to the Gentile nations. Jesus quoted Isaiah 53 as finding fulfillment in His passion (Luke 22:37). Philip followed Jesus’... read more
Philip in Samaria. Simon MagusThe graphic details of the ministry of Philip which follow, were doubtless obtained from Philip himself. St. Luke stayed at his house at Cæsarea, and made the acquaintance of his four virgin daughters, prophetesses (Acts 21:8). During St. Paul’s three years’ imprisonment at Caesarea, St. Luke doubtless had much intercourse with Philip, with whose liberal views he was in sympathy. The historical character of the following narratives stands upon a firm basis. In... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 8:27-39
The inquiring proselyte. Give some account of Ethiopia, of the queen of that day, of the office the eunuch occupied, and of the probable means by which he had been made a Jewish proselyte. He was one of those men among the heathen who had been awakened to spiritual anxiety by the ever-working Spirit of God. He may have had some Jewish connections, through whom he had come to know of Jehovah. We can recognize in him: 1. An inquirer. 2. A spiritually awakened inquirer, one who had... read more