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Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Acts 8:9-11

Another person who was doing miracles in Samaria, but by satanic power, was Simon, whom people have sometimes called Simon Magus. Magus is the transliteration of the Greek word magos meaning magician or sorcerer. The magic that he did was not sleight of hand deception but sorcery: the ability to control people and or nature by demonic power. This ability had made Simon very popular, and he had encouraged people to think that he was a great power whom God had sent. [Note: See ibid., p. 358,... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 8:1-40

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

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 8:4-18

The Extension of the Church to Judæa and Samaria (Acts 8:4 to Acts 11:18)The Christians, scattered by persecution, preach everywhere through Judaea and Samaria. The places specially mentioned are Samaria, Azotus, Caesarea, Lydda, the Sharon valley, and Joppa. read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 8:4-40

The Extension of the Church to Judæa and Samaria (Act 8:4 to Act 11:18)The Christians, scattered by persecution, preach everywhere through Judaea and Samaria. The places specially mentioned are Samaria, Azotus, Caesarea, Lydda, the Sharon valley, and Joppa. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Acts 8:10

(10) To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest.—The ready acceptance of the claims of the pretender, may, in part, be traced to the impression made by the presence of “the Christ, the Saviour of the world” (John 4:42). If One had come among them in whom they felt that there was a more than human greatness, why might there not be another manifestation of a like nature? The sorcerer appears as the earliest type of those who were to come with lying signs and wonders so as to... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Acts 8:1-40

A Story of Conversion Acts 8:27 , etc. Philip the deacon was one of the most active Evangelists. Only one or two scenes in his obedient and strenuous career find a place in the panorama of Acts; but these make it clear that he was a man of whom, had there been space enough, the New Testament might well have told us a great deal more. I like the hopefulness of Philip, as he advances to his new task. Remember, he had just been imposed upon by a bad man at Samaria, when Simon the Sorcerer, a... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Acts 8:9-10

lete_me Acts 8:9-10Chapter 17SIMON MAGUS AND THE CONVERSION OF SAMARIA.Acts 8:5; Acts 8:9-10THE object of the earlier part of this book of the Acts is to trace the steady, gradual development of the Church among the Jews, the evolution, never ceasing for a moment, of that principle of true catholic and universal life which the Master implanted within her, and which never ceased working till the narrow, prejudiced, illiberal little company of Galileans, who originally composed the Church, became... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Acts 8:1-40

Part II The Witness to Samaria. Saul’s Conversion and Peter’s Witness in Caesarea. Chapters 8-12 CHAPTER 8 1. The first great persecution (Acts 8:1-3 ). 2. The preaching of the scattered believers. Philip in Samaria (Acts 8:4-8 ). 3. Events in Samaria (Acts 8:9-24 ). 4. The Gospel in many villages of Samaria (Acts 8:25 ). 5. Philip and the Eunuch (Acts 8:26-40 ). The final testimony to the rulers of the people had been given. It was rejected, and the Spirit filled messenger killed. The... read more

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