Acts 8:19-23 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 8:14-25

God had wonderfully owned Philip in his work as an evangelist at Samaria, but he could do no more than an evangelist; there were some peculiar powers reserved to the apostles, for the keeping up of the dignity of their office, and here we have an account of what was done by two of them there?Peter and John. The twelve kept together at Jerusalem (Acts 8:1), and thither these good tidings were brought them that Samaria had received the word of God (Acts 8:14), that a great harvest of souls was... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 8:14-25

8:14-25 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they despatched Peter and John to them. They came down and prayed for them, so that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for as yet the Holy Spirit had fallen on no one. It was in the name of the Lord Jesus that they had been baptized. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. When Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he brought... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 8:19

Saying, give me also this power ,.... He does not ask them to lay their hands on him, that he might receive the Holy Ghost, and have these gifts to exercise himself, but that he might have the power of conferring them on others: that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost ; in which he discovered his ambition and avarice: his ambition, that he might be above Philip; who though he had these gifts, yet had not a power to lay on hands, and thereby convey them unto others;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 8:20

But Peter said to him ,.... With great abhorrence and indignation, resenting and detesting his proposal: thy money perish with thee ; or "go into destruction with thee"; signifying, that he would not touch his money, or have anything to do with that or him either, in any such way: the words do not so much design an imprecation on his person, as an abhorrence of his sin; and rather show what his sin deserved than what he desired might be; for the apostle did not simply wish his damnation,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 8:21

Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter ,.... Or business of the gift of the Holy Ghost; signifying, that as he had not the grace of the Spirit of God implanted in him, so he should not have any of the gifts of the Spirit bestowed on him; and much less a power of communicating them to others, through laying on of hands: or "in this word"; the word of the Gospel, preached by the apostles; and in any of the blessings published in it, as the forgiveness of sins, a justifying... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 8:22

Repent therefore of this thy wickedness ,.... For a great piece of wickedness it was, to offer money for the gift of the Holy Ghost, and to imagine, that could be purchased with money; and what made the wickedness still greater was, the evil design he had in this, to advance himself in opposition to Christ and his apostles, as he afterwards did; and when the apostle puts him upon repentance, his view is to show the heinousness of his crime, the need he stood in of repentance, and that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 8:23

For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness ,.... Alluding to Deuteronomy 29:18 with which compare Hebrews 12:15 and signifying, that he was in a state of nature and unregeneracy; under the power and dominion of covetousness, ambition, and hypocrisy; and in a way pernicious to himself, infectious to others, and ungrateful to God, and to good men; and that instead of the root of the matter, the truth of grace being in him, there was nothing in him but the bitter root of sin;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 8:20

Thy money perish with thee - This is an awful declaration; and imports thus much, that if he did not repent, he and his ill-gotten goods would perish together; his money should be dissipated, and his soul go into perdition. That the gift of God may be purchased - Peter takes care to inform not only Simon, but all to whom these presents may come, that the Spirit of God is the gift of God alone, and consequently cannot be purchased with money; for what reward can He receive from his... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 8:21

Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter - Thou hast no part among the faithful, and no lot in this ministry. That the word κληρος , which we translate lot, is to be understood as implying a spiritual portion, office, etc., see proved in the note on Numbers 26:55 ; (note). Thy heart is not right - It is not through motives of purity, benevolence, or love to the souls of men, that thou desirest to be enabled to confer the Holy Ghost; it is through pride, vain glory, and love of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 8:22

Repent therefore of this thy wickedness - St. Peter did not suppose his case to be utterly hopeless; though his sin, considered in its motives and objects, was of the most heinous kind. If perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee - His sin, as yet, only existed in thought and purpose; and therefore it is said, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven. read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 8:14-25

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 8:14-25

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 8:19

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 8:20

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 8:21

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 8:22

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 8:23

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 8:20

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 8:21

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 8:22

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