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 19 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 8:9 | Simon previously practiced sorcery in the city and amazed the people. | Foreshadowing of Simon's motivation |
| Acts 8:11 | The people believed Simon because he had for a long time amazed them with sorcery. | Highlighting Simon's prior influence |
| Acts 8:12 | When they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized... | Contrast to Simon's focus |
| Acts 8:15 | Who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. | The action Simon desired to buy |
| Acts 8:17 | Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. | The effect Simon witnessed |
| Acts 8:20 | Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! | Peter's direct rebuke to Simon |
| 1 Tim 6:5 | from foolish and ignorant speculations, which give birth to quarrels. | Warning against merchandise of grace |
| 1 Tim 6:10 | For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. | Reinforcing the danger of avarice |
| Heb 2:4 | God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will. | Divine origin of the gifts |
| Gal 5:22 | But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, | Qualities of true Spirit-filled life |
| 1 Cor 12:11 | But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. | The Spirit's sovereignty |
| 1 Cor 12:4 | There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. | Diversity of gifts |
| 1 Cor 12:7 | But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each for the profit of all. | Purpose of the Spirit's manifestation |
| 1 Cor 12:18 | But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. | God's arrangement of gifts |
| 1 Cor 12:31 | But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way. | The greater way beyond mere gifts |
| 2 Pet 1:21 | for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. | Spirit's inspiration and power |
| Josh 6:18 | But you, by all means abstain from the devoted things, lest you become devoted to destruction by taking of the devoted things. | Warning against coveting what is set apart |
| Isa 56:11 | they are greedy dogs which never have enough; and these are shepherds who cannot understand. They all look to their own way, every one for his own gain. | Description of self-serving leaders |
| John 1:14 | And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. | Jesus the ultimate gift |
| John 3:34 | For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for He gives the Spirit without measure. | The Spirit given through Christ |
| Matt 10:8 | Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. | Instructions on using spiritual gifts |
| Phil 2:3 | Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem the others better than himself. | Humility over selfish ambition |
Acts 8 verses
Acts 8 19 Meaning
This verse describes Simon Magus’s reaction upon witnessing the Holy Spirit being given through the apostles' laying on of hands. He offered money, seeking the ability to confer this divine power himself.
Acts 8 19 Context
This verse occurs in Acts chapter 8, during Philip's ministry in Samaria, a region previously hostile to Jewish believers. After witnessing the impact of Philip's preaching and the signs of the Spirit's presence, including healing and the casting out of demons, Simon Magus, a Samaritan sorcerer, believed and was baptized. However, his faith appears to be superficial, focused on the visible power rather than a true transformation. The subsequent arrival of Peter and John from Jerusalem to pray for the Samaritan believers and for them to receive the Holy Spirit highlights this distinction. Simon's offer reveals his underlying motivation: not a genuine desire for God's work, but a covetous attempt to possess and control divine power for personal gain, mirroring his former life as a sorcerer.
Acts 8 19 Word Analysis
- Ἰδὼν (Idōn): From the Greek verb horaō (ὁράω), meaning "to see" or "to perceive." It signifies not just a physical sight but a conceptual understanding of what is happening. Simon sees the impartation of the Holy Spirit.
- δὲ (de): A postpositive particle, meaning "but," "and," or "now." It introduces a contrast or a sequential element, here highlighting Simon's reaction after seeing the phenomenon.
- Σίμων (Simōn): Simon. The transliteration of the Greek name for the individual.
- ἐνέγκας (enégkas): Aorist participle from pherō (φέρω), meaning "to bring," "to carry," or "to offer." It signifies his act of bringing or presenting something.
- χρῆμα (chrēma): A monetary matter, money. This refers to currency, the means of exchange, underscoring the material nature of Simon's offer.
- ἔφη (ephē): Aorist indicative of phēmi (φημί), meaning "to say." It indicates his spoken offer.
- δότε (dote): Second person plural aorist imperative of didōmi (δίδωμι), meaning "give." It is a command or strong request to give.
- καμοὶ (kamoì): Dative case of kagō (κἀγώ), meaning "and to me" or "even to me." It emphasizes his desire that this power be given to him as well.
- εἰς (eis): Preposition, meaning "into," "to," "towards."
- οὒς (hous): Accusative plural masculine relative pronoun, "whom." It refers to people.
- ἐπιθήσω (epithēsō): First person singular future indicative of epitithēmi (ἐπιτίθημι), meaning "to lay upon," "to place upon." This refers to the laying on of hands.
- τὰς χεῖρας (tas cheiras): The hands. Plural of cheir (χειρ).
Words-Group Analysis
- "Simon... offering money": This phrase juxtaposes Simon's name with his action, emphasizing that he, a specific individual, is making a materialistic transaction.
- "Grant me also this power": This direct quote reveals Simon’s self-centeredness and misunderstanding of the Holy Spirit’s impartation. He sees it as a transferable skill or authority that can be acquired.
- "that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost": This specifies the mechanism by which Simon desires to wield power, mimicking the apostolic practice but divorcing it from its divine source and purpose.
Acts 8 19 Bonus Section
This incident is crucial in demonstrating the boundary between genuine faith and opportunistic religiosity. Simon represents a pattern of those who are attracted to the supernatural but are not truly converted, seeking power for personal prestige rather than submission to God's will. The word "Simony" is derived from this very act. It underscores that the reception and impartation of the Holy Spirit are not magical acts but are dependent on God's will and the purity of the believer's heart. This event also establishes a precedent for the proper understanding and use of spiritual gifts within the early church – they are to be received with humility and exercised in love for the building up of the Body of Christ.
Acts 8 19 Commentary
Simon's reaction reveals a deep misunderstanding of the Holy Spirit's gifting. He viewed the Spirit's power, manifested through the apostles' hands, as a commodity that could be purchased and then resold or dispensed by him. This act, known as Simony, demonstrates a materialistic and power-hungry approach to spiritual matters. It starkly contrasts with the genuine work of the Spirit, which is a gift from God, not a product of human merit or acquisition. Peter's response will sharply rebuke this attitude, highlighting the essential difference between divine grace and worldly commerce. This episode serves as a foundational warning against the desire to manipulate or monetize spiritual gifts, emphasizing that they are freely given by God's sovereign will for His purposes.