Acts 8 19

Acts 8:19 kjv

Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

Acts 8:19 nkjv

saying, "Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit."

Acts 8:19 niv

and said, "Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit."

Acts 8:19 esv

saying, "Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit."

Acts 8:19 nlt

"Let me have this power, too," he exclaimed, "so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit!"

Acts 8 verses

Acts 8 19 Meaning

In Acts 8:19, Simon the sorcerer, observing the apostles Peter and John imparting the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands, requests to possess this unique ability. His request reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of spiritual gifts, viewing the power of the Holy Spirit as a purchasable or transferable commodity for his own acquisition, akin to his previous magical practices, rather than a divine endowment bestowed by God's sovereign grace.

Acts 8 19 Context

Acts chapter 8 chronicles the dispersion of believers following Stephen's martyrdom, leading to the evangelism of Samaria by Philip. In Samaria, Philip's ministry brought widespread conversion and deliverance from evil spirits, including the renowned sorcerer Simon. Simon, who previously captivated the Samaritans with his magic and was hailed as "the power of God that is called Great" (Acts 8:10), also "believed" and was baptized. However, the Holy Spirit had not yet descended upon any of these Samaritan converts. The apostles Peter and John were sent from Jerusalem to Samaria specifically for this purpose, demonstrating apostolic oversight and validating the Samaritans' inclusion in the church. When Peter and John laid hands on the converts, they received the Holy Spirit, which Simon observed. This event fundamentally shifted his understanding from merely witnessing power to desiring to control it, leading directly to his proposal in verse 19. Historically and culturally, Samaria was steeped in various forms of magic and occult practices, and power displays, whether supernatural or through illusion, held significant sway over the populace. Simon's background as a revered sorcerer shaped his worldview, causing him to perceive the Holy Spirit's empowerment as another form of magic to be mastered and monetized, rather than a sacred, sovereign gift from God. This desire represented a polemic against the understanding that divine power is under God's exclusive authority, not subject to human purchase or manipulation.

Acts 8 19 Word analysis

• saying (λέγων - legōn): This is a present active participle, emphasizing Simon's active declaration. It highlights his immediate, vocal response to what he observed.
• Give (δότε - dote): An aorist active imperative verb, meaning "give ye" or "give." It is a direct command from Simon to Peter and John. This imperative reveals his presumption and an attempt to command the apostles, suggesting he perceives them as having agency to dispense the gift at will.
• me (κἀμοὶ - kamoi): A compound of "and" (καὶ - kai) and "to me" (ἐμοί - emoi). The "also" is implied in kai. It stresses his personal desire, seeking to be included in this unique capability alongside the apostles, or even to usurp it.
• also this (καὶ ταύτην - kai tautēn): "And this one." "This" specifically points to the demonstrable exousia (power/authority) that Peter and John exercised. It is not just any power, but this specific ability to impart the Holy Spirit.
• power (ἐξουσίαν - exousian): This Greek term signifies "authority, delegated power, right." It is distinct from dynamis (δύναμις), which typically means "raw force" or "ability." Simon wanted the authority to convey the Spirit, much like a magistrate possesses the authority to issue a decree. This underscores his transactional, command-and-control mindset over spiritual things.
• that (ἵνα - hina): A conjunction indicating purpose or result. Simon's aim for desiring this exousia is immediately stated—to perform the same act the apostles just did.
• on whomsoever I lay hands (ᾧ ἐὰν ἐπιθῶ τὰς χεῖρας - hō ean epithō tas cheiras): This phrase details the specific action and target. Simon desires the mechanism of spiritual transfer—the laying on of hands—as he observed the apostles using it. It reflects his belief in ritual as the key to power.
• he may receive (λαμβάνῃ - lambanē): A present subjunctive verb. It signifies the ongoing or potential reception. Simon clearly connects his action with a specific, predictable outcome—the receiving of the Holy Spirit. He wants to control the "whoever" aspect, extending his reach and influence.
• the Holy Spirit (τὸ Πνεῦμα τὸ Ἅγιον - to Pneuma to Hagion): The full designation for the third person of the Trinity. Simon, though recently "believed" and baptized, demonstrates a profound lack of understanding of the person and sovereign nature of the Holy Spirit. He reduces the divine Giver to a gift that can be manipulated or transferred at human will.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Give me also this power": This phrase encapsulates Simon's self-centered ambition and commercial outlook. He sees spiritual ability as a commodity that can be acquired, not as a sacred trust or sovereign gift from God. It exposes his covetousness (love of material gain applied to spiritual power) and a desire for prestige and control.
• "that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit": This entire purpose clause reveals Simon's transactional view of spiritual authority. He perceives the apostles' actions as a transferable skill set, not an endowment unique to their apostolic office and the sovereign will of God. His interest lies in replicating the external mechanism and the subsequent influence it would provide him, rather than desiring the Spirit's indwelling for genuine ministry or personal spiritual growth.

Acts 8 19 Bonus section

The specific method of the apostles Peter and John laying on hands to confer the Holy Spirit upon the Samaritan converts in Acts 8 is a notable feature in early church history. It served several important functions: ensuring visible apostolic endorsement of the Samaritans as legitimate members of the nascent church (counteracting potential Jewish-Samaritan division), safeguarding doctrinal unity, and preventing schism by establishing apostolic authority over new mission fields. This passage also implicitly affirms that the gifts of the Spirit, particularly the power to convey the Spirit, are not merchandise. They are holy endowments distributed according to God's will and are intrinsically tied to faith and divine initiative, rather than human manipulation or commercial exchange.

Acts 8 19 Commentary

Acts 8:19 is a pivotal verse exposing a profound spiritual malady: the attempt to monetize or control divine power. Simon's demand, "Give me also this power," reveals his desire for personal prestige and influence, deeply rooted in his former life as a sorcerer where power was often associated with demonstrable effects and control. He fails to grasp that the Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force or magical ability to be acquired through payment or transactional exchange, but the sovereign Third Person of the Trinity, given by God's grace alone to those who genuinely believe and repent. His offer to buy this "authority" is a grave offense, as divine gifts are unmerited and cannot be bought or sold. This act gives rise to the term "simony," referring to the sin of buying or selling spiritual offices, sacred things, or divine gifts. Simon’s error demonstrates the radical difference between pagan magic, which seeks to manipulate supernatural forces, and genuine Christianity, which embraces God's free and uncoercible grace. It also highlights the sacred trust involved in apostolic authority, which was never to be used for personal gain, but for the extension of God's kingdom and glory. His motivation was entirely self-serving, aimed at acquiring more influence, further separating him from a true, humble, and selfless submission to Christ.