Acts 8 30

Acts 8:30 kjv

And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?

Acts 8:30 nkjv

So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, "Do you understand what you are reading?"

Acts 8:30 niv

Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. "Do you understand what you are reading?" Philip asked.

Acts 8:30 esv

So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, "Do you understand what you are reading?"

Acts 8:30 nlt

Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, "Do you understand what you are reading?"

Acts 8 verses

Acts 8 30 Meaning

Acts 8:30 describes a pivotal moment in the evangelistic encounter between Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch. Philip, led by the Holy Spirit, encounters the eunuch reading from the scroll of Isaiah the prophet. The verse highlights Philip's initiative, demonstrated by his running to the chariot, and his direct, probing question to ascertain the eunuch's comprehension of the Scripture he was diligently studying. This moment sets the stage for Philip to explain the Gospel message through the Old Testament prophecies.

Acts 8 30 Context

Acts 8:30 is part of a crucial missionary episode in the book of Acts. Prior to this, Philip had been ministering effectively in Samaria, marked by conversions and miracles (Acts 8:4-8). However, the Holy Spirit sovereignly redirected Philip from a thriving revival to an encounter with a single individual, the Ethiopian eunuch, traveling on a desert road (Acts 8:26-29). This transition emphasizes divine guidance in evangelism and God's expansive plan for all nations, moving beyond ethnic and religious boundaries. The eunuch, an important court official from Ethiopia, signifies the reach of the Gospel to distant lands and unlikely recipients. His journey back from worshipping in Jerusalem, coupled with his deep engagement with the prophetic scriptures (specifically Isaiah 53), highlights his sincere seeking heart, which God prepared Philip to encounter. Philip's direct question stems from his Spirit-led understanding that this moment is ordained for the revelation of Christ.

Acts 8 30 Word analysis

• So (Greek: οὕτως, houtōs): Signifies a direct consequence or manner. It links Philip's action (running) directly to the Spirit's prior instruction to approach the chariot.
• Philip (Greek: Φίλιππος, Philippos): One of the seven deacons appointed in Acts 6. He is also called "the evangelist" (Acts 21:8), demonstrating his primary gifting and calling.
• ran (Greek: ἔδραμεν, edramen): An aorist indicative verb, signifying immediate and decisive action. It shows Philip's eagerness and obedience to the Spirit's prompt (Acts 8:29). This is not a casual stroll, but an energetic pursuit of God's call.
• to him (Greek: πρὸς αὐτόν, pros auton): Directly indicates Philip's target – the eunuch, who was previously described. This personal approach is key to the ensuing evangelism.
• and heard (Greek: καὶ ἤκουσεν, kai ēkousen): Indicates Philip's active perception. The eunuch was reading aloud, a common practice in antiquity. This allowed Philip to identify the specific text.
• him reading (Greek: αὐτοῦ ἀναγινώσκοντος, autou anaginōskontos): The participle "reading" (anaginōskontos) implies a continuous, ongoing action. The eunuch was deeply immersed in the text, not merely scanning it. The act of reading aloud also highlights the public and often communal nature of engaging with texts in the ancient world, though here it is an individual private devotion.
• Isaiah the prophet (Greek: Ἠσαΐαν τὸν προφήτην, Ēsaïan ton prophētēn): Specifies the source text. Isaiah was highly revered, particularly for prophecies concerning the Messiah. This detail sets the stage for Philip's explanation of Jesus from these very prophecies. The Septuagint (LXX) translation would have been commonly used by Diaspora Jews and God-fearers like the eunuch.
• and said (Greek: καὶ εἶπεν, kai eipen): Marks the direct speech from Philip to the eunuch.
• "Do you understand (Greek: Ἆρα γε γινώσκεις, Ara ge ginōskeis): Philip's probing question. Ginōskeis implies not just knowing facts but having a full comprehension and spiritual insight. The Greek Ara ge is an interrogative particle often introducing a question that anticipates a negative or uncertain answer, or to express mild surprise. It invites humble admission rather than asserting a challenge. It acknowledges the complexity of prophetic scripture.
• what you are reading?" (Greek: ἃ ἀναγινώσκεις;, ha anaginōskeis;): Lit. "the things you are reading." The question is pointed, addressing the very content and depth of the eunuch's engagement with the Scripture. This shows Philip's intent to lead the eunuch from a mere surface-level reading to a saving knowledge.

Acts 8 30 Bonus section

The dialogue initiated by Philip's question in Acts 8:30 exemplifies the principle of meeting people where they are. The eunuch was not a pagan; he was a worshiper of God returning from Jerusalem, already familiar with Jewish scriptures. Philip leveraged this existing knowledge and interest. The precise phrasing of Philip's question, using "ginōskeis," indicates an inquiry into comprehension and insight rather than mere decoding of words. This highlights the fact that while diligent reading is important, divine revelation and spiritual illumination are essential for truly grasping biblical truth (1 Cor 2:14; Eph 1:17-18). The encounter also stands as a prototype for cross-cultural evangelism and the Spirit's global reach, bringing together people from different backgrounds through the shared message of Christ found in the Old Testament. The emphasis on Isaiah the prophet points to the Old Testament as an indispensable foundation for understanding the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Acts 8 30 Commentary

Acts 8:30 serves as the bridge between divine guidance and the act of evangelism. Philip's energetic "running" signifies a ready obedience to the Holy Spirit, which is foundational to effective ministry. His immediate approach to the eunuch, a person of foreign origin and physical infirmity, challenges prevailing social and religious prejudices, showcasing the inclusive nature of the Gospel. The eunuch's public reading of Isaiah highlights his devout nature and hunger for spiritual truth, despite not fully grasping the prophecy. This underlines the fact that diligent engagement with Scripture, even if imperfectly understood, is often a divine precursor to revelation. Philip's direct question, "Do you understand what you are reading?", is masterful. It is neither accusatory nor condescending, but an invitation for the eunuch to admit his need for interpretation (Acts 8:31). This pivotal question not only establishes a basis for communication but also sets the precedent for the necessary role of Spirit-empowered teaching and proclamation in making God's Word understandable and transformative. It implies that true understanding of spiritual truths often requires external illumination. The scene illustrates the cooperative work of the Holy Spirit, the human evangelist, and the seeker's prepared heart, leading to salvation.