Acts 8:22 kjv
Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
Acts 8:22 nkjv
Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.
Acts 8:22 niv
Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart.
Acts 8:22 esv
Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.
Acts 8:22 nlt
Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive your evil thoughts,
Acts 8 22 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 3:19 | Repent, then, and turn back for the blotting out of your sins. | Call to repentance for forgiveness |
| 1 John 1:9 | If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. | Confession leads to cleansing and forgiveness |
| Psalm 51:17 | The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. | Value of a repentant heart |
| Luke 15:7 | Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. | Heaven rejoices over repentance |
| Mark 1:15 | and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." | Jesus' initial call to repentance |
| 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." | Repentance, baptism, and forgiveness |
| Matthew 18:20 | For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them. | Importance of corporate prayer and presence of Christ |
| 1 Timothy 2:8 | I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; | Prayer as a constant, proper attitude |
| Ephesians 4:26 | Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, | Managing anger, related to inner state for prayer |
| Hebrews 4:16 | So let us confidently approach the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need. | Access to God's grace through prayer |
| Romans 8:26 | Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. | The Spirit's intercession in prayer |
| 1 Thessalonians 5:17 | pray without ceasing, | Constant communion through prayer |
| James 5:15 | and the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. | Prayer of faith for healing and forgiveness |
| 1 Peter 4:7 | The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and soberminded for the sake of your prayers. | Prayerfulness and self-control |
| Acts 8:23 | For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity. | Description of Simon's spiritual state |
| Isaiah 58:9 | If you take away from among you the yoke, the pointing of the finger, and the speaking of evil, | Hindrances to prayer, unrighteous behavior |
| Psalm 66:18 | If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. | Unaddressed sin hinders prayer |
| John 9:31 | We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, him he listens to. | Listening to God's will and worship |
| Galatians 5:19-21 | Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. | Examples of iniquity related to sorcery |
| Proverbs 15:8 | The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; the upright deal with it sincerely. | God's disdain for the wicked's offerings |
| Exodus 22:18 | You shall not permit a sorceress to live. | Old Testament prohibition against sorcery |
| Revelation 18:23 | No longer will the lamp of the lamp stand shine in you, nor will the voice of the bridegroom and bride ever be heard in you again. For your merchants were the great ones of the earth, and all nations were deceived by your sorcery. | Sorcery as a source of deception and destruction |
Acts 8 verses
Acts 8 22 Meaning
Repentance and prayer are essential for receiving God's forgiveness and divine intervention, particularly when dealing with spiritual darkness and sinful inclinations.
Acts 8 22 Context
This verse is spoken by the Apostle Peter to Simon the sorcerer in Samaria. Simon had been practicing sorcery and gained a reputation, even believing himself to be someone of importance. After witnessing the miracles performed by Philip and the power of the Holy Spirit being imparted through the laying on of hands by Peter and John, Simon attempted to buy the ability to give the Holy Spirit. Peter's response is a strong rebuke of Simon's corrupt heart and misguided request. The surrounding narrative highlights the spread of the Gospel to Samaria, a significant event due to the historical animosity between Jews and Samaritans. Peter’s words here are a direct consequence of Simon’s transactional approach to spiritual power, revealing his true, unrepentant state.
Acts 8 22 Word analysis
- “You see”: (Greek: horaō) – This conveys an act of perception, not just physically seeing, but understanding, realizing, and perceiving the truth of a situation. Peter is not just stating an observation, but revealing Simon’s inner reality.
- “have no part”: (Greek: meros) – Implies a portion, share, or allotment. Peter is stating that Simon does not have a legitimate, genuine share or involvement in this spiritual gift or work.
- “in this”: Refers to the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit, the genuine impartation of spiritual gifts, and the ministry that Peter and John are engaged in.
- “matter”: (Greek: pragma) – Denotes a deed, affair, business, or matter of substance. It signifies that this is not a trivial issue but a serious matter of spiritual significance.
- “your heart”: (Greek: kardia) – The core of a person’s being, encompassing intellect, emotions, will, and inner life. Peter addresses the seat of Simon’s disposition and intentions.
- “is not right”: (Greek: euthys – straight, direct, proper; ou mē – strong negative, not at all) – A double negative expressing a forceful and absolute lack of correctness or alignment with God's ways. Simon's inner disposition is fundamentally misaligned.
- “with God”: (Greek: en tōi Theōi) – In relation to, concerning, or before God. Simon's condition is being judged in relation to his standing with the Almighty.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- “Your heart is not right with God”: This phrase points to a fundamental flaw in Simon's spiritual and moral condition. It means his inner disposition, motivations, and loyalties are not aligned with God's will or nature. It suggests a condition of impurity, lack of true devotion, and perhaps a covert adherence to sinful practices that distance him from God.
Acts 8 22 Bonus section
The word “gall” (cholē) often represents bitterness and something poisonous or corrupting in scripture. Peter’s description, "you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity," vividly paints a picture of Simon being deeply entangled and consumed by sinful desires and practices, making him spiritually sick and bound. This spiritual bondage prevents any true connection or reception of God's gifts. The concept of selling or buying spiritual power is a form of simony, which later became a specific sin addressed within church history. Peter's rebuke establishes an early precedent for the church's stance against such practices.
Acts 8 22 Commentary
Peter’s statement is a stark, divinely inspired diagnosis of Simon's spiritual state. Simon, having witnessed the genuine power of God, seeks to manipulate it for personal gain and notoriety. Peter’s declaration, "Your heart is not right with God," underscores that true spiritual reception and participation are not based on sorcery, money, or status, but on a pure heart submitted to God. This exposes the futility of Simon's efforts and serves as a powerful call for genuine repentance. The emphasis on "heart" highlights that God looks beyond outward appearances to the inner source of a person's desires and intentions. Without this inner transformation, any external profession or attempted spiritual act remains invalid and unacceptable to God.