Acts 8 14

Acts 8:14 kjv

Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

Acts 8:14 nkjv

Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them,

Acts 8:14 niv

When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria.

Acts 8:14 esv

Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John,

Acts 8:14 nlt

When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had accepted God's message, they sent Peter and John there.

Acts 8 verses

Acts 8 14 Meaning

The apostles in Jerusalem, hearing that Samaria had received the word of God, sent Peter and John. These apostles prayed for the new Samaritan believers, asking that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for He had not yet fallen upon any of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. This verse highlights the necessity of both baptism and the reception of the Holy Spirit as distinct but connected steps in Christian conversion, emphasizing the authoritative role of the apostles in initiating this process for new communities.

Acts 8 14 Context

Following the conversion of Simon the sorcerer in Samaria (Acts 8:9-13), the church in Jerusalem became aware of the revival happening among the Samaritans. The Samaritans, a mixed population historically antagonistic to the Jews, were embracing Christianity. However, a crucial element seemed to be missing: the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that was characteristic of the early church, as witnessed at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4). Therefore, the apostles Peter and John were dispatched to Samaria. Their mission was to affirm this new community and to ensure they received the full experience of the Holy Spirit, connecting them definitively to the burgeoning movement of Christ-followers. This event underscores the apostles’ role as authoritative figures and the unity of the early church across different ethnic and cultural groups.

Acts 8 14 Word Analysis

• And (καί - kai): A common conjunction, linking this action with the preceding events, indicating a sequential or consequential step.
• when (ὅτε - hote): At the time that; signifies a specific point in time.
• the (οἱ - hoi): The definite article, referring to specific apostles.
• apostles (ἀπόστολοι - apostoloi): Literally "those sent out"; the chosen messengers and leaders of the early church, invested with Christ's authority.
• heard (ἀκούσαντες - akoúntes): Having heard; a participle indicating the reception of information.
• that (ὅτι - hoti): That; introducing a subordinate clause reporting what was heard.
• Samaria (Σαμαρείᾳ - Samareíạ): The region inhabited by the Samaritans.
• had received (εἴληφεν - eílēphēn): Had taken; the perfect tense indicates a completed action with a continuing result, meaning they had genuinely accepted.
• the (τὸν - ton): The definite article, referring to the specific word of God.
• word (λόγον - lógon): Speech, utterance, message; here, specifically referring to the gospel message or the teachings about God.
• of (τοῦ - tou): Of; genitive case, indicating possession or origin.
• God (θεοῦ - theoû): God; the supreme being.
• Then (τότε - tóte): At that time; signaling the commencement of the next action.
• Peter and John (Πέτρον τε καὶ Ἰωάννην - Pétroń te kaì Iōánnēn): Specific apostles known for their leadership roles. Peter was the spokesman, and John was the "disciple whom Jesus loved."
• prayed (προσηύξαντο - prosēúxanto): To offer prayer, to make supplication; a verb in the aorist tense, indicating a completed act of prayer.
• they (αὐτοὶ - autoí): Emphasis on "they themselves," the apostles Peter and John.
• for (περὶ - perí): Concerning, about; preposition indicating the object of the prayer.
• these (τούτων - toútōn): Of these; referring to the Samaritan believers.
• might (ἵνα - hina): In order that; introduces a purpose clause, showing the intention behind the prayer.
• receive (λάβωσιν - lábōsin): They might receive or obtain; subjunctive mood, indicating the desired outcome of the prayer.
• the (τὸ - to): The definite article, referring to the specific Spirit.
• Holy (Ἅγιον - Hágion): Holy, sacred, pure; designating the divine nature of the Spirit.
• Spirit (Πνεῦμα - Pneûma): Spirit, breath, wind; referring to the third person of the Trinity.
• For (γάρ - gár): For, because; introduces a reason or explanation for the prayer.
• He (οὐδέπω - oudépō): Not yet; emphasizing that something had not occurred up to that point.
• had not (ἐπιπεπτωκὸς - epipēpkós): Fallen upon; referring to the Holy Spirit, likely in a demonstrative or manifest way, signifying the distinctive charismatic empowerment seen in early Christianity. The Spirit's presence might have been realized in their initial salvation and baptism, but not in this specific, visible outpouring.
• yet (οὐδείς - oudeís): Not yet anyone; this could also be translated as "not yet had anyone [the Holy Spirit] fallen upon." The common rendering suggests the Spirit had not yet fallen on any of them.
• fallen (ἐπιπεσόν - epipesón): Fallen upon; a strong verb suggesting a significant descent or imposition of divine power.
• upon (ἐπ' - ep'): Upon; preposition.
• any (οὐδεὶς - oudeís): None; singular, emphasizing that no single person among them had experienced this specific impartation.
• them (αὐτούς - autoús): Them; referring to the Samaritan believers.
• but (ἀλλ’ - all'): But; introduces a contrasting statement.
• they (μόνον - mónon): Only; limits the preceding statement.
• had been (ἐβαπτίσθησαν - ebaptísthēsan): They were baptized; passive voice, past tense (aorist), indicating they had undergone the rite of baptism.
• baptized ( βαπτισθέντες - baptisthéntes): Being baptized; participle modifying "they."
• in (εἰς - eis): Into, unto; preposition indicating immersion or direction.
• the (τὸ - to): The definite article.
• name (ὄνομα - ónoma): Name; represents authority, identity, and invocation.
• of (τοῦ - tou): Of.
• the (τοῦ - tou): The definite article.
• Lord (Κυρίου - Kuriou): Lord; a title of Jesus Christ.
• Jesus (Ἰησοῦ - Iēsoû): Jesus; the personal name of the Savior.

Group analysis: The phrase "the word of God" encompasses the gospel message and divine truth. The apostles Peter and John's dispatch to Samaria signifies the expansion of the gospel beyond Jerusalem and Judea. The prayer for them to "receive the Holy Spirit" signifies not their initial salvation (which occurred through faith in Jesus, evidenced by baptism), but a specific endowment of the Spirit, typically associated with power for witness and ministry. The distinction made between baptism "in the name of the Lord Jesus" and the reception of the Spirit points to two vital, though chronologically or experientially distinct, aspects of Christian initiation and empowerment.

Acts 8 14 Bonus Section

The practice of apostles laying hands on believers for the impartation of the Holy Spirit is seen in other instances, such as in Acts 9:17 with Saul (Paul) and Acts 19:6 with the disciples in Ephesus. This impartation was distinct from their initial faith and baptism, and often accompanied by miraculous manifestations. It served to authenticate the faith of the new converts and to equip them for service. Some scholars suggest this practice was meant to bridge the initial stages of the Christian movement, linking the Old Testament concept of bestowment of power or blessing through the laying on of hands with the New Testament experience of the Spirit. It emphasizes that the Holy Spirit’s empowerment is a divine gift, sought through prayer and received through faith.

Acts 8 14 Commentary

This verse elucidates a foundational truth for early Christianity: the necessity of the Holy Spirit for believers. While baptism is a crucial step of obedience and identification with Christ, it is the reception of the Spirit that truly empowers and indwells the believer, marking them as belonging to Christ. The apostles’ actions reveal the intentionality and discernment they applied to the new converts, ensuring they experienced the full deposit of faith. This event also demonstrates the unity between Jewish and Samaritan believers under Christ, overcoming historic prejudices through the unifying power of the Spirit. The role of the apostles in this impartation, often through prayer and the laying on of hands, served as a vital connection to Christ’s commission and the established order of the early church.