Acts 8:26-29 NIV

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 8:26

Verse 26 26.And the angel. Luke passeth over unto a new history, to wit, how the gospel came even unto the Ethiopians. For though he reporteth there was but one man converted unto the faith of Christ, yet because his authority and power was great in all the realm, his faith might spread abroad a sweet smell far and wide. For we know that the gospel grew of small beginnings; and therein appeared the power of the Spirit more plainly, in that one grain of seed did fill a whole country in a small... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 8:27

Verse 27 27.Behold, a man, an Ethiopian. He calleth him a man, who he saith shortly after was an eunuch; but because kings and queens in the East were wont to appoint eunuchs over their weighty affairs, thereby it came to pass that lords of great power were called generally (531) eunuchs, whereas, notwithstanding, they were men. Furthermore, Philip findeth indeed, now at length, that he did not obey God in vain. Therefore, whosoever committeth the success to God, and goeth on forward thither... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 8:28

Verse 28 28.He read Esaias. The reading of the prophet showeth that the eunuch did not worship a God unadvisedly, according to the understanding of his own head, whom he had reigned to himself, but whom he knew by the doctrine of the law. And surely this is the right way to worship God, not to snatch at bare and vain rites, but to adjoin the word thereunto, otherwise there shall be nothing but that which cometh by chance and is confused. And certainly the form of worshipping prescribed in the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 8:25-40

The Word written preparing the way for the Word preached. The conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch is a great text on missionary work. It illustrates with singular force and clearness the double need of the Bible and the preacher to bring men to the knowledge of Christ crucified. Without the evangelist to teach him, this seeker after truth might long have groped in vain after the meaning of the prophet; and if his mind had not been exercised by musings on the prophet, the evangelist would... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 8:25-40

The second flight of the gospel. Samaria evangelized both by Philip and the apostles, and both in the city and country districts—a preparation of the Church for yet greater expansion. Necessity that such a flight as from Samaria to the desert on the way to Ethiopia should be supernaturally commanded. The step-by-step process of opening the Jewish mind to the idea of a world-message. The eunuch was a proselyte of the gate, so would be regarded as holding an intermediate position. Contrast... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 8:26

But an angel for and the angel, A.V.; the same is for which is, A.V. An angel. "The angel," as in A.V., is right, just as ὄνομα κυρίου ( Matthew 21:9 ; Matthew 23:1-39 . 39; Luke 19:38 , etc.) and הוָהֹיְ משֵׁ in Hebrew mean "the Name of the Lord," not "a Name" (see Acts 5:19 ; Acts 7:31 , notes). The south , meaning that part of Judaea which was called " the south country;" Hebrew בגֶנֶּהַ ( Genesis 20:1 ; Genesis 24:62 ; etc.). This is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 8:26-39

A life true to light led to the Light true to life. From one of the most unwelcome exhibitions of human nature, we are led with grateful relief to an episode full of hope and the very suggestion of sunshine for the world. This alternate light and shade of a written record of human life, which exhibits alike the appearances of a compendious description and a crowded epitome, is so far a very faithful reflection of the tenor of human history. And the faithfulness of the reflection goes some... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 8:26-40

The Christian teacher and disciple. We have an interesting and instructive instance of one man submitting himself to the teaching of another, and deriving from him a sudden transforming influence which most beneficially affected his whole after-life. Such teaching might well come ultimately from God, as in truth it did; for we learn— I. THAT THE CHRISTIAN TEACHER IS TO PLACE HIMSELF CONTINUALLY UNDER DIVINE DIRECTION . Philip had some advantages which we do not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 8:26-40

Philip and the Ethiopian. This incident teaches us— I. THAT MEN IN THE WAY OF DUTY MAY RECEIVE UNUSUAL GUIDANCE . The angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, and gave him directions as to the course he should take in his missionary journey. How are we to understand the mode of this interference? We are told that rationalist expositors assume that the angel appeared to Philip in a dream; for the word "Rise!" is spoken. But then it is replied that there is no mention of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 8:27

Was over for had the charge of, A.V. ; who for and, A.V. Candace. According to Pithy, the queens of Ethiopia, who reigned at Meroe, were so named through a long course of years ('Nat. Hist.,' Acts 6:2 , Acts 6:5 -37). Dion Cassius speaks of a warlike Queen of Ethiopia of that name, who was brought to terms by Caius Petronius in the year A.U.C. 732 (54.5, 4). Eusebius says that the custom still continued in his day of the Ethiopians being governed by a queen. Had come to... read more

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 8:26

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 8:27

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 8:28

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 8:25-40

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 8:25-40

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 8:26

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 8:26-39

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 8:26-40

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 8:26-40

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 8:27

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