Acts 8:18 kjv
And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
Acts 8:18 nkjv
And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money,
Acts 8:18 niv
When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money
Acts 8:18 esv
Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money,
Acts 8:18 nlt
When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power.
Acts 8 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 8:19 | "Grant me also this ability, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit." | Direct Parallel, Simon's Offer |
| 1 Corinthians 6:10 | Nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. | Warning against greed |
| Galatians 5:20 | idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. | Sorcery condemned |
| Ephesians 5:5 | For you may be sure of this, that whoever is immoral or unclean or covetous, who is an idolater, has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. | Covetousness rebuked |
| 1 Samuel 16:14 | Now the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and a harmful spirit from the Lord afflicted him. | God's Spirit acting on individuals |
| 2 Kings 2:10 | "You have asked a difficult thing," Elijah said. "If you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours; otherwise it will not." | Elijah's spiritual succession |
| John 14:26 | But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. | Role of the Holy Spirit |
| John 16:13 | When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. | Holy Spirit's guidance |
| Acts 1:8 | But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. | Power from the Holy Spirit |
| Acts 4:31 | And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness. | Manifestation of the Spirit |
| Romans 1:11 | For I long to see you, that I may impart some spiritual gift to you as a strengthening. | Imparting spiritual gifts |
| Hebrews 6:2 | And of instruction about baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment— | Laying on of hands recognized |
| 1 Timothy 4:14 | Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. | Gift given through laying on of hands |
| Mark 1:23 | And immediately in their synagogue he saw a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, | Christ casting out spirits |
| Mark 6:13 | And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them. | Disciples casting out demons |
| Matthew 7:22 | On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ | Works done in Jesus' name |
| Proverbs 14:8 | The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way, but the folly of fools is deception. | Understanding vs. deception |
| Proverbs 29:24 | The partner of a thief hates his own life; he hears the witch's curse, but he does not understand. | Understanding and deceit |
| Psalm 111:10 | The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever! | Fear of Lord and wisdom |
| Isaiah 8:19 | And when they say, “Inquire of the mediums and the sorcerers who chirp and mutter,” should not a people inquire of their God? Should one inquire of the dead on behalf of the living? | Against consulting spirits |
| Leviticus 19:31 | Do not turn to mediums or necromancers; do not seek them out and so defile yourselves by them: I am the Lord your God. | Prohibition against divination |
Acts 8 verses
Acts 8 18 Meaning
The verse describes Simon, a sorcerer who had previously impressed the Samaritans with his magic, attempting to purchase the ability to bestow the Holy Spirit upon people through the laying on of hands. This action revealed his deeply flawed understanding and motivation, seeing spiritual power as something that could be bought or sold.
Acts 8 18 Context
This verse occurs in Acts chapter 8, which details the spread of the Gospel from Jerusalem to Samaria. Following Stephen's martyrdom, Saul (later Paul) persecuted the church, scattering believers. Philip the evangelist went to Samaria and preached Christ, leading many to believe and be baptized. Notably, Simon Magus, a powerful sorcerer, was also among those who believed and was baptized. The apostles Peter and John were then sent to Samaria to pray for the Samaritan believers to receive the Holy Spirit, which happened visibly and audibly. It is in this context of divine impartation of the Spirit that Simon's misguided offer is made.
Acts 8 18 Word Analysis
- Ὡς (Hōs): As, like, when. Indicates the manner or time of an action. Here, it sets the stage for Simon's approach to Peter and John.
- δὲ (de): But, and. A connective particle indicating a transition or contrast. It links Simon's previous belief with his subsequent action.
- Συμεὼν (Sumeōn): Simon. The Greek form of the Hebrew name Simeon. This is Simon Magus, a well-known sorcerer in Samaria at the time.
- ἰδὼν (idōn): Having seen. A participle from the Greek word 'horaō', meaning to see, perceive, understand. Simon observed the supernatural events related to the Holy Spirit.
- ὅτι (hoti): That. Introduces a subordinate clause stating what Simon saw.
- διὰ (dia): Through, by. Indicates the means or agency.
- τῆς (tēs): The. The definite article.
- ἐπιθέσεως (epitheseōs): Laying on. From the Greek word 'epitithemi', meaning to lay upon. This refers to the act of placing hands, a common gesture in biblical times for bestowing blessings, healing, or spiritual gifts.
- τῶν (tōn): The. Plural definite article.
- χειρῶν (cheirōn): Hands. From the Greek word 'cheir', meaning hand. Refers to the physical hands of the apostles.
- τῶν (tōn): The. Plural definite article.
- ἀποστόλων (apostolōn): Apostles. From 'apostolos', meaning one who is sent forth. In this context, referring to Peter and John.
- ἐδίδου (edidou): was giving. Imperfect tense of the verb 'didōmi', meaning to give. This imperfect tense suggests a continuous action or a state of being.
- τὸ (to): The. Neuter definite article.
- Πνεῦμα (Pneuma): Spirit. Referring to the Holy Spirit.
- τὸ (to): The. Neuter definite article.
- Ἅγιον (Hagion): Holy. Adjective meaning set apart, sacred.
- καὶ (kai): And. Connective particle.
- προσενέγκας (prosenkās): to bring, offer. A participle from 'prosphero', meaning to bring to, offer. It denotes bringing something as an offering or present.
- χρῄματα (chrēmata): money, wealth. From the Greek word 'chrēma', meaning merchandise, business, property, or money. It refers to material wealth.
- εἶπεν (eipen): said. Aorist tense of 'legō', meaning to say.
Group of words analysis:
- "διὰ τῆς ἐπιθέσεως τῶν χειρῶν τῶν ἀποστόλων ἐδίδου τὸ Πνεῦμα τὸ Ἅγιον": "through the laying on of the hands of the apostles was given the Holy Spirit". This phrase highlights the means by which the Holy Spirit was being imparted – through the apostles' hands.
- "προσενέγκας χρῄματα": "bringing money". This clearly states Simon's offer of financial payment.
Acts 8 18 Bonus Section
Simon's attempt to buy spiritual power is often referred to as "simony." This act became a historical term for the sin of buying or selling church offices or spiritual things. The incident serves as a stark warning against any attempt to treat God's grace and gifts as mere commodities or to seek spiritual power for personal gain or manipulation, rather than for godly service and adoration. The immediate and sharp rebuke from Peter underscores the seriousness of this spiritual offense. It demonstrates that true spiritual authority and the imparting of divine gifts are solely God's prerogative and are given by His sovereign will, not acquired through earthly means.
Acts 8 18 Commentary
Simon, a sorcerer who had apparently been genuinely converted and baptized, witnessed the bestowal of the Holy Spirit by the apostles Peter and John. He observed that this divine gift was conferred through the physical act of laying on their hands. Driven by his ingrained mindset of magical manipulation and greed, Simon mistakenly believed that this ability to impart the Holy Spirit was a commodity that could be bought. He approached Peter and John and offered them money, proposing to purchase this power for himself. His desire was not for service or genuine spiritual connection, but to gain control and enhance his own prestige and magical abilities, seeing the Holy Spirit as another force to be manipulated. This revealed a profound misunderstanding of the nature of the Holy Spirit and God's sovereign grace, demonstrating his persistent inner corruption and spiritual immaturity despite outward profession.