The Spirit - See the notes on Acts 8:26. The Holy Spirit is evidently intended here. The thought in Philip’s mind is here traced to his suggestion. All good thoughts and designs have the same origin.Join thyself - Join him in his chariot. Go and sit with him. read more
Acts 8:29-31. 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, without fear of offending him, or exposing thyself to any inconvenience. And Philip ran to him Ran up to the chariot; and heard him read For he read aloud, both that his own mind... 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
Then = And. the Spirit , i.e. the angel. App-101 . join thyself. Greek. kollaomai. See note on Acts 5:13 . read more
And the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some one shall guide me? And he besought Philip to come up and sit with him.And the Spirit said ... How did the Spirit speak to Philip? It might have been through the angel who had previously appeared to him, or it could have been that one of God's prophets gave him the message.... read more
29-31. the Spirit said—by an unmistakable voice within, as in Acts 10:19; Acts 16:6; Acts 16:7. go near and join this chariot—This would reveal to Philip the hitherto unknown object of his journey, and encourage him to expect something. 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 felt compelled by the Holy Spirit’s leading to approach the wagon (cf. Acts 8:26). The Spirit’s leading is essential in evangelism; He sometimes directs us to people whom He has prepared to trust in Jesus Christ."An especial stress is placed throughout this narrative on God’s engineering of this conversation, and thus that it is part of God’s plan." [Note: Witherington, p. 293.] Possibly this important official was part of a caravan that was heading to Africa, and Philip joined it... 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 8:29
And for then, A.V. read more