Acts 8:28 kjv
Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
Acts 8:28 nkjv
was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet.
Acts 8:28 niv
and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet.
Acts 8:28 esv
and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah.
Acts 8:28 nlt
and he was now returning. Seated in his carriage, he was reading aloud from the book of the prophet Isaiah.
Acts 8 28 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 53:8 | "He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken." | Fulfillment of prophecy (Suffering Servant) |
| Matthew 28:19 | "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:" | The Great Commission (Command for baptism) |
| Acts 2:41 | "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." | Early church practice of baptism |
| Acts 10:47-48 | "Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days." | Baptism of Gentiles |
| John 3:5 | "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." | Spiritual and physical cleansing in baptism |
| Romans 6:3-4 | "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." | Symbolism of baptism: union with Christ's death and resurrection |
| Galatians 3:27 | "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." | Baptism as an act of identification with Christ |
| John 1:41 | "He first findeth his brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ." | Recognition of the Messiah |
| John 12:20-21 | "And there were certain Greeks among them that worshipped at the feast: Whom they desired to see Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus." | Gentiles seeking Jesus |
| John 1:45 | "Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." | Philip's earlier ministry of evangelism |
| 1 Corinthians 12:13 | "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit." | Baptism as entry into the Body of Christ |
| Acts 8:35 | "Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus." | The foundation of Philip's preaching |
| Isaiah 49:6 | "And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be the salvation unto the end of the earth." | Christ as light to the Gentiles |
| Psalm 118:22 | "The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner." | Christ as the rejected cornerstone |
| Matthew 21:42 | "Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?" | Fulfillment of Psalm 118:22 |
| Acts 8:26 | "And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert." | Divine guidance for evangelism |
| Acts 8:30 | "And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the scripture, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?" | The role of understanding scripture |
| Isaiah 53:7 | "He was oppressed, and he was afflicted; yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth." | Christ's silence before his accusers |
| John 4:34 | "Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work." | Fulfilling God's will |
Acts 8 verses
Acts 8 28 Meaning
The Ethiopian eunuch, after Philip explained the Gospel through the passage from Isaiah, understood that the Messiah, Jesus, was the suffering servant foretold. He desired baptism, signifying his commitment to this faith and his inclusion in God's covenant people. This shows the power of scriptural exposition and the transformative work of the Holy Spirit in bringing people to Christ.
Acts 8 28 Context
This verse occurs within the narrative of Philip's ministry in Samaria and his subsequent encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch. Following the persecution that scattered the Jerusalem church, Philip, one of the seven deacons, went to Samaria and preached Christ to them, leading to many conversions and baptisms. An angel then directed Philip to travel south on the road to Gaza, where he found the Ethiopian official returning from Jerusalem. This official, a high-ranking administrator in the queen's court, was reading from the prophet Isaiah, specifically a passage that Christians understand to refer to Jesus Christ. Philip, prompted by the Holy Spirit, joined the eunuch and explained the scriptures, leading to the eunuch's belief in Jesus and his request for baptism.
Acts 8 28 Word Analysis
kai autos (καὶ αὐτός): "and he."
Kai(καί) is a conjunction meaning "and" or "also," connecting this statement to the preceding explanation and highlighting the eunuch's active response.Autos(αὐτός) is the pronoun "he," emphasizing the eunuch's personal decision.apokritheis (ἀποκριθεὶς): "answering." This participle from
apokrinomai(ἀποκρίνομαι) indicates a response, flowing directly from Philip's preaching and the eunuch's understanding. It implies a thoughtful and considered reply, not a mere utterance.eipen (εἶπεν): "said." The aorist indicative of
lego(λέγω), meaning "to say." It denotes a completed action, the eunuch speaking his request.i'de (ἰδοὺ): "behold." This interjection
idou(ἰδού) serves to draw attention to what follows, signaling its importance. It often introduces a statement that should be given significant weight or contemplation.uda^r (ὕδωρ): "water." From
hydor(ὕδωρ), meaning "water." This is the specific medium requested for baptism.kolpisai' me (κωλυσαί με): "hinder me."
Kolysai(κωλῦσαι) is the aorist infinitive ofkoluo(κωλύω), meaning "to hinder," "to prevent," or "to forbid." It signifies a prohibition or obstacle. Theme(με) is the first-person singular accusative pronoun, "me."oute estin (οὐκ ἔστιν): "there is not."
Ouk(οὐκ) is the primary negation particle "not."Estin(ἐστιν) is the third-person singular present indicative ofeimi(εἰμί), "to be." Together, they state the absence of any impediment.od'o`s (ὁδός): "way." From
hodos(ὁδός), meaning "way," "road," or "path." It can also metaphorically refer to a course of life or conduct.kolyeei (κωλύει): "hinder." This present indicative verb
koly'ei(κωλύει) fromkoluo(κωλύω) further reinforces the eunuch's conviction that there is no reason for his baptism to be prevented.Words Group Analysis:
- " kai autos apokritheis eipen": This phrase signifies the eunuch's direct and active response to Philip's teaching. It's not just a passive hearing but an engagement with the presented truth.
- "i'de uda^r": The "behold" draws attention to the crucial element for baptism, highlighting the eunuch's desire to participate in this ordinance.
- "kolpisai' me": This expresses the eunuch's plea for immediate baptism, emphasizing his readiness and eagerness.
- "oute estin od'o`s kolyeei": This emphatic denial of any obstacle shows the eunuch's clear understanding that his status or background should not prevent his inclusion in Christ. He perceives no hindrance based on Jewish or gentile laws, or even his own physical state.
Acts 8 28 Bonus Section
The eunuch's Ethiopian identity and position of authority highlight the universality of the Gospel message. The Ethiopian eunuch's literacy and deep engagement with the Scriptures (specifically Isaiah 53) indicate a seeking heart. His conversion represents an early instance of the Gospel reaching beyond Jewish converts, foreshadowing the wider Gentile inclusion, as commissioned by Christ. The role of the Holy Spirit is paramount in this encounter, guiding Philip to the eunuch and empowering him to understand and preach the Gospel effectively, ultimately leading to the eunuch's baptism. This event exemplifies how the Word of God, when explained by the Spirit, can lead to transformative faith and a desire to publicly profess that faith.
Acts 8 28 Commentary
The eunuch's request for baptism after hearing Philip's explanation of Isaiah's prophecy demonstrates an immediate and profound conviction. His words, "Behold, water; what doth hinder me?" show a bold faith. He recognized that baptism was the next logical step in his commitment to Jesus Christ. The eunuch's understanding that nothing should prevent his baptism underscores a crucial New Testament principle: the Gospel transcends social, ethnic, and even physical barriers. The Old Testament prophecies, illuminated by Philip, revealed a Messiah for all people, and baptism is the symbol of entering into this new community. His eagerness for water signifies a thirst for spiritual cleansing and union with Christ, embracing the new covenant offered through Him.