Acts 8 10

Acts 8:10 kjv

To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.

Acts 8:10 nkjv

to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, "This man is the great power of God."

Acts 8:10 niv

and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, "This man is rightly called the Great Power of God."

Acts 8:10 esv

They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, "This man is the power of God that is called Great."

Acts 8:10 nlt

Everyone, from the least to the greatest, often spoke of him as "the Great One ? the Power of God."

Acts 8 verses

Acts 8 10 Meaning

Acts 8:10 describes the profound and widespread influence of Simon the magician over the people of Samaria. Before Philip's arrival, the entire Samaritan population, from the lowest to the highest in social standing, paid close and devoted attention to Simon's sorceries. Their assessment of him was a significant one: they publicly declared that this man, Simon, was "the great power of God." This statement indicates that they considered Simon to possess or embody a singular and preeminent divine force, possibly seeing him as a manifestation or direct agent of God's might. It highlights their deeply ingrained belief in his extraordinary, super-human capabilities.

Acts 8 10 Context

Acts chapter 8 chronicles the spread of the Gospel following the persecution in Jerusalem after Stephen's martyrdom. Philip, one of the seven deacons, preaches Christ in Samaria, a region often hostile to Jews but now open to the message. Before Philip's arrival, Simon, a sorcerer, had long held great sway over the Samaritan people. He astonished them with his magic, leading them to believe he possessed a unique and profound spiritual power. Verse 10 highlights the peak of Simon's influence, establishing the deep devotion and near-deification the Samaritans afforded him. This context sets the stage for the dramatic contrast between Simon's deceptive, human-driven "power" and the genuine, God-sent power that accompanied Philip's ministry, which brought true salvation and liberation. It also underscores the readiness of people to follow compelling figures, even those practicing magic, especially in an era and culture where such practices were widely believed to involve spiritual forces.

Acts 8 10 Word analysis

• To him: Refers to Simon, the sorcerer. This direct pronoun highlights the specific individual to whom the Samaritans directed their attention and devotion.

• they all gave heed: The Greek term is prosechō (προσέχω). It means "to hold the mind towards," "to apply oneself to," "to attend to carefully," or "to devote oneself to." This signifies intense and sustained mental and emotional engagement, far beyond casual observation, suggesting their minds were completely absorbed by Simon and his practices.

• from the least to the greatest: This is a common Greek idiom, apo mikrou heos megalou (ἀπὸ μικροῦ ἕως μεγάλου), which emphasizes the universality of Simon's influence. It means everyone, without exception, from those of low social standing to those of high status, or from the youngest to the oldest. It underlines the pervasiveness of his grip on the community.

• saying: Implies public proclamation and shared conviction. This was not a private thought but an openly declared belief, demonstrating widespread consensus and active endorsement of Simon's perceived status.

• This man: Directly identifies Simon, the magician. The demonstrative pronoun personalizes the claim and focuses the declaration specifically on him.

• is the great power of God: This is the most significant and problematic phrase.

  • The great power (ἡ δύναμις ἡ καλουμένη μεγάλη): The word dynamis (δύναμις) refers to "power," "strength," "ability," or "miraculous power." The inclusion of megalē (μεγάλη), meaning "great," elevates it to an extraordinary level. Scholars suggest this was likely a recognized title or designation among certain Samaritan or Hellenistic groups, potentially for a divine emanation, a special angel, or even a divine being/hypostasis. It is a striking claim to bestow upon a human.
  • of God (τοῦ θεοῦ): This specifies the source or nature of this "great power." The Samaritans explicitly linked Simon's abilities to God, essentially elevating him to a divine agent or manifestation of God's own unique attribute. They saw him as that ultimate divine energy or being, rather than merely possessing a gift from God. This interpretation aligns with various Samaritan heterodox views or proto-Gnostic concepts of divine emanations, which would be heretical from a Jewish and Christian perspective, as it attributes divinity to a human. This phrase represents the height of their misconception and Simon's hubris.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "To him they all gave heed": Highlights universal, absorbed attention and mental dedication of the entire Samaritan community to Simon. It conveys their willing submission and belief in his supposed abilities.
  • "from the least to the greatest": Underscores the complete social saturation of Simon's influence, indicating that his captivating effect knew no social, age, or gender boundaries within the community.
  • "saying, 'This man is the great power of God'": This is a direct declaration of belief that Simon was a personification or embodiment of ultimate divine power. It signifies a profound theological error, a form of idolatry, attributing God's unique attributes to a man, thus exalting Simon to a quasi-divine status. It sets a crucial contrast with the true "power of God" later demonstrated by Philip and the apostles (Rom 1:16; 1 Cor 1:24).

Acts 8 10 Bonus section

The phrase "the great power of God" (δύναμις τοῦ θεοῦ ἡ καλουμένη μεγάλη) has been a subject of significant scholarly debate, especially regarding Simon Magus's later association with Gnosticism. Some early church fathers (like Irenaeus) linked Simon to the origins of Gnostic thought, where "Great Power" could be understood as a primordial emanation from God, a divine Aeon, or even God the Father Himself. While Acts does not explicitly define Simon as a Gnostic, this title strongly suggests he either cultivated a reputation for being a divine intermediary or was directly revered as a divine manifestation. This narrative thus becomes an early polemic within the Christian Scriptures against such syncretistic and heretical interpretations of spiritual power, where human charisma and magical practices are confused with the Holy Spirit's authentic operation. The episode also highlights the spiritual openness of the Samaritans, often overlooked, suggesting a populace actively seeking divine connection, even if through misguided channels.

Acts 8 10 Commentary

Acts 8:10 encapsulates the Samaritans' utter captivation by Simon Magus, revealing a deep spiritual vacuum and a yearning for tangible divine power that Simon cunningly exploited. Their declaration, "This man is the great power of God," shows more than just admiration for his tricks; it's a quasi-deification, viewing Simon as the very embodiment of divine dynamis. This echoes a prevalent syncretistic tendency to elevate charismatic figures or potent sorcerers to divine status, potentially influenced by earlier Babylonian or Hellenistic concepts of mediating divine beings or powers. It reflects human propensity to project spiritual authority onto impressive, but ultimately false, manifestations of power. The verse serves as a crucial theological setup for the genuine, life-transforming power of the Holy Spirit demonstrated through Philip, providing a stark contrast between human deception and divine truth. For instance, the Samaritan's devotion to Simon parallels how some might follow captivating human leaders today who promise profound spiritual experiences, rather than anchoring their faith in Christ alone.