Acts 8:21 kjv
Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
Acts 8:21 nkjv
You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God.
Acts 8:21 niv
You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God.
Acts 8:21 esv
You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.
Acts 8:21 nlt
You can have no part in this, for your heart is not right with God.
Acts 8 21 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 8:18 | "Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money..." | Temporal link and contrast with verse 21 |
| 1 Corinthians 6:20 | "For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." | The price paid for redemption |
| 1 Timothy 6:10 | "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils." | Connection to Simon's motivation |
| Hebrews 4:12 | "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword..." | God's discernment of the heart |
| Proverbs 3:9 | "Honor the Lord with your wealth..." | Proper use of resources in service |
| 2 Peter 2:14 | "They have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, son of Bosor..." | Parallel with Balaam's error |
| Deuteronomy 18:22 | "But when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the word does not come to pass or does not happen, that is the word that the LORD has not spoken..." | Authentication of spiritual gifts |
| 1 Samuel 16:7 | "But the LORD said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature...'" | God looks at the heart |
| John 14:26 | "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things..." | The Spirit's origin and gifting |
| Acts 1:8 | "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you..." | The Spirit empowers believers |
| Galatians 5:22 | "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness..." | Genuine evidence of the Spirit |
| Romans 11:34 | "For who has known the mind of the Lord?" | Unsearchable ways of God |
| 2 Kings 5:20-27 | " Gehazi saw that Elisha received more than he gave..." | Parallel with Gehazi's greed |
| Matthew 19:24 | "Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle..." | Difficulty of the wealthy entering God's kingdom |
| Acts 2:38 | "And Peter said to them, 'Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'" | Conditions for receiving the Spirit |
| Romans 12:6-8 | "Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us..." | Gifts are by grace, not purchase |
| Ephesians 4:30 | "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God..." | The Spirit can be grieved by wrong actions |
| Mark 3:29 | "but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness..." | Serious sin against the Spirit |
| Luke 11:13 | "If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" | The Father gives the Spirit to those who ask |
| Psalm 50:16 | "But to the wicked God says: 'What right have you to recite my statutes or take my covenant on your lips?'" | God's rejection of the unrighteous |
Acts 8 verses
Acts 8 21 Meaning
This verse states that Simon had neither part nor lot in the matter of God's spiritual gift, meaning he had no share, legal claim, or proper inheritance in it. His heart was not right with God because he approached spiritual matters with a commercial or manipulative intent, attempting to purchase the ability to impart the Holy Spirit.
Acts 8 21 Context
This verse is found in the eighth chapter of Acts, which details the spread of the gospel beyond Jerusalem following the stoning of Stephen. Philip, one of the deacons, had gone to Samaria and was performing signs and wonders as he preached Christ. Many Samaritans believed and were baptized. When the apostles in Jerusalem heard about this, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. Peter and John prayed for the Samaritan believers to receive the Holy Spirit. Simon the sorcerer, who had previously amazed the Samaritans with his magic, saw that the Holy Spirit was given through the apostles' ministry and tried to buy this power. This verse is Peter's sharp rebuke of Simon for his erroneous belief that spiritual gifts could be bought.
Acts 8 21 Word Analysis
- Simon (Σίμων - Simōn): The name of the sorcerer, a common name of Hellenistic origin.
- said (εἶπεν - eipen): Aorist indicative active of λέγω (legō), meaning "to say," "to speak."
- to him (πρὸς αὐτόν - pros auton): Preposition "pros" with the accusative pronoun "auton." "Pros" here indicates direction towards someone.
- You (σύ - su): Second person singular pronoun, referring directly to Simon.
- have (ἔχεις - echeis): Second person singular present indicative active of ἔχω (echō), meaning "to have," "to hold."
- no (οὐκ - ouk): Negative particle, a stronger form of ou.
- part (μέρος - meros): Noun meaning "part," "share," "portion," "lot." It signifies an allotted portion or a participation in something.
- nor (οὐδὲ - oude): Conjunction meaning "and not," "nor," "neither." It continues the negative statement.
- lot (λόγον - logon): Accusative singular of λόγος (logos). Here it functions idiomatically as "right," "claim," or "place," as in having a proper lot or entitlement. Some interpret it more closely to the meaning of "account" or "reckoning," implying no justification or reason in God's sight for what he is attempting. The KJV "lot" better captures the sense of divine allocation.
- in (ἐν - en): Preposition "in" or "among."
- this (τούτῳ - toutōi): Dative masculine singular of οὗτος (houtos), referring to the present matter.
- matter (πράγματι - pragmați): Dative singular of πρᾶγμα (pragma), meaning "deed," "act," "thing," "affair," or "matter." Refers to the action of imparting the Holy Spirit.
Word Group Analysis
- "neither part nor lot" (οὔτε μερίδα οὔτε λόγον - oute meridha oute logon): This phrase emphasizes a complete lack of legitimate connection or share. It implies that Simon has no divinely appointed portion or proper standing in this spiritual transaction. The absence of both "part" (a portion) and "lot" (an allocated entitlement or even a proper place in the reckoning) stresses the nullity of his claim and the perversity of his attempt.
Acts 8 21 Bonus Section
The incident with Simon the sorcerer is a pivotal moment in understanding the opposition to the early church and the clear delineation between genuine divine power and deceptive human-made magic. Simon's profession as a sorcerer (Acts 8:9) suggests a practiced art of deception and illusion aimed at gaining power and prestige, much like the practitioners denounced in the Old Testament law (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). Peter’s condemnation directly rebukes this mercenary approach to God's gifts. The historical context reveals that various magical cults and mystery religions were prevalent, promising secret knowledge and power for a price, a pattern Simon unwittingly, but disastrously, followed with regard to Christian spiritual gifts. This event serves as a foundational warning within the New Testament about the purity required in approaching God and the incompatibility of seeking personal gain from divine empowerment.
Acts 8 21 Commentary
Peter's response is immediate and forceful, directly addressing Simon's impious attempt to buy spiritual power. The Greek "meros" and "logos" together powerfully convey that Simon has absolutely no rightful share or entitlement to this divine gift. The Holy Spirit is not a commodity to be bought, nor is its impartation a matter of human manipulation. Simon’s desire stems from a heart corrupted by greed and ambition, mistaking God's power for a magical ability he can control and sell. This action grieves the Holy Spirit and reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of the nature of salvation and the grace of God. Peter highlights the immense chasm between Simon's sorcery and the true work of God.