Acts 8 29

Acts 8:29 kjv

Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.

Acts 8:29 nkjv

Then the Spirit said to Philip, "Go near and overtake this chariot."

Acts 8:29 niv

The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it."

Acts 8:29 esv

And the Spirit said to Philip, "Go over and join this chariot."

Acts 8:29 nlt

The Holy Spirit said to Philip, "Go over and walk along beside the carriage."

Acts 8 verses

Acts 8 29 Meaning

This verse reveals a direct, divine directive from the Holy Spirit to Philip, instructing him to approach and associate himself with a specific chariot. It highlights the sovereign guidance of God in His redemptive plan, specifically in directing evangelistic encounters to those He has prepared. This is not a general prompting but an explicit command to engage in a particular mission for a specific individual.

Acts 8 29 Context

Acts chapter 8 chronicles the aftermath of Stephen's martyrdom and the subsequent great persecution against the early church in Jerusalem, which led to the scattering of believers throughout Judea and Samaria. Philip, one of the seven deacons, emerged as a prominent evangelist in Samaria, performing miracles and bringing many to faith. Following his successful ministry in Samaria, where even Simon the sorcerer was astonished, an angel of the Lord instructed Philip to leave Samaria and go to a desert road leading from Jerusalem to Gaza (Acts 8:26). Philip's immediate obedience positioned him for the divine appointment described in verse 29. The chariot belonged to an Ethiopian eunuch, a high-ranking official and treasurer under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who had been to Jerusalem to worship and was returning home, reading from the prophet Isaiah. The historical context indicates that the desert road was remote and not typically frequented for major evangelistic endeavors, emphasizing the divine orchestration of this meeting.

Acts 8 29 Word analysis

• Then (δὲ - de): A conjunction indicating a progression or continuation of the narrative. It signals the immediate next step in Philip's divinely directed journey, building upon the angelic instruction he previously received.
• the Spirit (τὸ Πνεῦμα - to Pneuma): Refers to the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity. This emphasizes the divine agency and authority behind the command. It's not Philip's own intuition or a general sense, but a clear, personal communication from God's Spirit. This highlights the Holy Spirit's active and crucial role in guiding missionary efforts and individual encounters in the early church.
• said (εἶπεν - eipen): A straightforward past tense verb, denoting a direct and audible communication. This is a verbal command, clear and unambiguous, leaving no doubt as to the speaker or the directive.
• to Philip (τῷ Φιλίππῳ - tō Philippō): Clearly identifies the recipient of the divine instruction. Philip is being specifically chosen and equipped for this task. It underscores God's personal knowledge and deployment of His servants according to His will.
• "Go near" (Πρόσελθε - Proselthe): An imperative verb meaning "approach," "come near." It's an immediate, urgent command to physically move towards something. This implies that Philip was at some distance from the chariot and needed to close that gap.
• and overtake (καὶ κολλήθητι - kai kollēthēti): The conjunction "and" links two closely related commands. kollēthēti is an imperative verb meaning "to join," "to cleave to," "to stick closely to." It's stronger than merely catching up; it implies a persistent adherence, an association or connection with. Philip isn't just to pass the chariot, but to become united with it, to remain beside it, indicating the intent of engagement and fellowship.
• this chariot (τούτῳ τῷ ἅρματι - toutō tō harmati): Specifies the object of the instruction. "This" (τούτῳ) points to the particular chariot already in view or approaching Philip. It signifies the precise target of the Holy Spirit's mission, not just any passing vehicle, but the one containing the Ethiopian eunuch, a crucial figure in the unfolding of the gospel's reach.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "the Spirit said to Philip": This phrase emphasizes the direct and authoritative divine communication. It positions the Holy Spirit as the sovereign guide of evangelistic ministry, orchestrating specific encounters. This is not Philip initiating but God instructing, which removes uncertainty and provides divine authority to his actions.
• "Go near and overtake this chariot": This combined command is precise and action-oriented. "Go near" (Porselthe) signifies active engagement and proximity, while "overtake" (kollēthēti) indicates a close, continuous association, a "joining" or "sticking together." This implies more than a quick exchange; it suggests an intended prolonged interaction for teaching and ministry. The divine specificity of "this chariot" demonstrates God's providential care in bringing the right messenger to the right seeker at the right time.

Acts 8 29 Bonus section

The active and vocal role of the Holy Spirit in Acts 8:29, "the Spirit said," aligns with His dynamic presence throughout the Book of Acts as the driving force behind the apostolic mission. This is not an infrequent occurrence but a characteristic of Spirit-empowered ministry, indicating that divine leading often takes tangible forms—whether through angels (Acts 8:26), direct speech, or even prohibitions (Acts 16:6-7). This specific incident served as a key step in expanding the gospel beyond its Jewish-Samaritan confines to the Gentile world (through a God-fearer/proselyte) and geographically into Africa, prefiguring the later explicit inclusion of Gentiles. The emphasis is on divine initiation: God saw the Ethiopian eunuch’s genuine search and initiated the meeting, rather than relying solely on human plans. It's a testament to God’s zealous pursuit of all who seek Him, guiding His servants directly to those hungry for truth.

Acts 8 29 Commentary

Acts 8:29 is a pivotal moment, succinctly capturing the essence of Spirit-led evangelism. It moves beyond the large-scale revivals in Samaria to highlight God's precision in individual outreach. The Holy Spirit is portrayed not as an abstract force but as a living, guiding presence, audibly instructing His servant. Philip's readiness to hear and obey the Spirit’s directive, even in the desolation of a desert road, underscores his devotion and the early church's responsiveness to divine leading. The command "go near and overtake" speaks to both initiative and intentionality: Philip was to physically approach, then "stick to" the chariot, signifying an engagement beyond a fleeting moment. This wasn't merely a casual meeting, but a divinely ordained intersection, a setup for the profound conversation and conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch, showcasing how God sovereignly prepares hearts and connects them with His messengers to advance the gospel globally.