Acts 8:39 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 8:26-40

We have here the story of the conversion of an Ethiopian eunuch to the faith of Christ, by whom, we have reason to think, the knowledge of Christ was sent into that country where he lived, and that scripture fulfilled, Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands (one of the first of the nations) unto God, Ps. 68:31. I. Philip the evangelist is directed into the road where he would meet with this Ethiopian, Acts 8:26. When the churches in Samaria were settled, and had ministers appointed them,... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 8:26-40

8:26-40 The angel of the Lord spoke to Philip and said, "Rise and go to the south by the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza; that is Gaza in the desert." So he arose and went. Now, look you, an Ethiopian eunuch, an influential official of Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasury and who had gone to worship in Jerusalem, was on his way home. As he sat in his chariot he was reading the prophet Isaiah. The Spirit said to Philip, "Go and join yourself to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 8:39

And when they were come up out of the water ,.... Which is another circumstance, showing that baptism was then performed by immersion; with this compare Matthew 3:16 and so it is said of the high priest, when he washed himself on the day of atonement, ירד וטבל עלה , "he went down and dipped, and came up" F13 Misna Yoma, c. 3. sect. 4. 6. & 7. sect. 3. 4. ; and so any other person that was obliged to dipping on any account, ירד וטבל ועלה , "went down and dipped, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 8:39

The Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip - Perhaps this means no more than that the Holy Spirit suggested to the mind of Philip that he should withdraw abruptly from the eunuch, and thus leave him to pursue his journey, reflecting on the important incidents which had taken place. Some suppose that the angel of the Lord, and the Spirit of the Lord, are the same person throughout this chapter. There is a remarkable reading in the Codex Alexandrinus which exists thus in two lines: - ... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 8:39

Verse 39 39.When they were come up. To the end Luke may at length conclude his speech concerning the eunuch, he saith that Philip was caught away out of his sight. And that was of no small weight to confirm him, forasmuch as he saw that that man was sent unto him by God like to an angel, and that he vanished away before he could offer him any reward for all his pains; whence he might gather that it was no gainful insinuation, seeing that he was vanished away before he had one halfpenny given... 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 8:26-39

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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 8:26-40

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 8:26-40

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 8:39

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 8:39

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 8:39

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 8:25-40

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 8:25-40

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 8:26-39

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 8:26-40

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 8:26-40

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