Acts 8 34

Acts 8:34 kjv

And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?

Acts 8:34 nkjv

So the eunuch answered Philip and said, "I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?"

Acts 8:34 niv

The eunuch asked Philip, "Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?"

Acts 8:34 esv

And the eunuch said to Philip, "About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?"

Acts 8:34 nlt

The eunuch asked Philip, "Tell me, was the prophet talking about himself or someone else?"

Acts 8 verses

Acts 8 34 Meaning

Acts 8:34 records the direct and pivotal question posed by the Ethiopian eunuch to Philip, expressing his earnest desire to understand a specific passage from the book of Isaiah. He seeks to identify the subject of the prophecy: whether the prophet Isaiah speaks about himself, describing his own suffering or circumstances, or about an entirely different person, whose identity remained veiled to the eunuch without further illumination. This question underscores the eunuch's genuine spiritual hunger and his immediate need for authoritative interpretation to comprehend the meaning of the scripture he was reading.

Acts 8 34 Context

Acts chapter 8 chronicles Philip's vibrant evangelistic ministry following the persecution ignited by Stephen's martyrdom, which scattered believers throughout Judea and Samaria. Philip first experiences great success preaching the gospel in Samaria, including a confrontation with Simon the sorcerer. The verse itself then transitions to a divinely orchestrated encounter in a desolate desert road. Philip is specifically directed by an angel of the Lord and subsequently by the Holy Spirit to journey south from Jerusalem towards Gaza, where he finds the high-ranking Ethiopian eunuch, a treasury official for Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, returning from worship in Jerusalem. The eunuch is seated in his chariot, deeply engrossed in reading aloud from the book of Isaiah, specifically the prophetic passage concerning the Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53). Verse 34 captures the eunuch's humble and eager question, borne out of a genuine desire to comprehend the identity of the suffering figure in the scripture, forming the perfect opening for Philip to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Acts 8 34 Word analysis

• And the eunuch:
  • ὁ εὐνοῦχος (ho eunouchos): The definite article highlights a specific person previously introduced in the narrative.
  • εὐνοῦχος (eunouchos): Refers to a castrated male, often holding positions of trust in royal courts. This term carries significant Old Testament baggage (e.g., Deut 23:1, prohibiting eunuchs from entering the assembly of the Lord). However, Isaiah 56:3-5 prophesies their future inclusion, signifying the New Covenant's inclusivity that transcends traditional boundaries, fully embraced through Christ. His high office as an Ethiopian treasury official indicates wealth, status, and presumably a deep interest in religious pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
• answered:
  • ἀποκριθεὶς (apokritheis): An aorist participle, meaning "having answered" or "responding." It indicates that the eunuch’s question is a direct and immediate response to Philip's previous query, "Do you understand what you are reading?" It signifies active engagement and intellectual readiness rather than a casual inquiry.
• Philip and said:
  • τῷ Φιλίππῳ εἶπε (tō Philippō eipe): Clearly identifies Philip the evangelist as the recipient of the question. Philip, led by the Spirit, has been prepared by God for this moment.
• "I ask you, :
  • Δεομαί σου (Deomai sou): A strong verb, meaning "I beg you," "I entreat you," or "I implore you." This is not a casual request but reveals the eunuch’s profound earnestness, humility, and desire for spiritual enlightenment. It signifies his recognition that he needs external help to interpret the challenging text.
• of whom does the prophet speak this? :
  • περὶ τίνος ὁ προφήτης λέγει τοῦτο; (peri tinos ho prophētēs legei touto?): This phrase poses the fundamental question about the subject of the prophecy.
  • προφήτης (prophētēs): Refers specifically to Isaiah. The definite article (ὁ) indicates that it is the prophet, already established by the text's context as Isaiah.
  • λέγει τοῦτο (legei touto): "speaks this" – refers to the specific passage of Isaiah 53, particularly concerning the Suffering Servant's unjust suffering and silence (Isa 53:7-8).
• Of himself or of some other man?":
  • περὶ ἑαυτοῦ ἢ περὶ ἄλλου τινός; (peri heautou ē peri allou tinos?): This offers the two primary interpretive possibilities available to the eunuch without further divine revelation.
  • περὶ ἑαυτοῦ (peri heautou): "about himself." One common ancient interpretation of difficult prophetic passages was to relate them to the prophet's own life or circumstances.
  • ἢ περὶ ἄλλου τινός; (ē peri allou tinos?): "or about some other man?" This reveals the eunuch's open mind and his suspicion that the description might transcend Isaiah's own experience, yet he lacked the key to identify that "other man." This highlights the enigmatic nature of Messianic prophecy for those without the Holy Spirit's illumination and fulfillment in Christ.

Acts 8 34 Bonus section

The eunuch's immediate comprehension and desire for baptism (Acts 8:36) after Philip's explanation underscore the power of Christ's identity as the fulfillment of Isaiah 53. It exemplifies that without Christ, many Old Testament prophecies remain a riddle, but once Jesus is revealed, the Scriptures "make sense." His readiness for baptism challenges ancient Jewish customs that generally excluded eunuchs from the community of Israel (Deut 23:1), beautifully illustrating Isaiah's prophecy (Isa 56:3-5) and Jesus's own inclusionary work of breaking down barriers (Gal 3:28). The encounter also serves as a model for evangelism: starting from a person's existing spiritual interest and need, patiently explaining the Scriptures, and leading them directly to Christ and obedience to Him.

Acts 8 34 Commentary

Acts 8:34 captures the exact moment the Ethiopian eunuch, a spiritually earnest and geographically distant seeker, reveals his intellectual and spiritual impasse. Despite his high standing and access to sacred scripture, represented by the scroll of Isaiah, he lacked the crucial interpretive key to unlock its meaning, specifically the enigmatic passage of the Suffering Servant in Isaiah 53. His humble "I ask you" demonstrates a commendable recognition of his own need and a teachable spirit, a prerequisite for divine revelation. The very form of his question, offering a dichotomy—Isaiah himself or "some other man"—pinpoints the central interpretive challenge of the Old Testament prophecies before their fulfillment in Christ. This sincere inquiry forms the divinely prepared ground for Philip to immediately launch into preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, beginning precisely with that Scripture. It signifies that earnest inquiry, combined with divine leading and Spirit-empowered explanation, is vital for understanding God's redemptive plan and highlights the universal nature of the gospel, breaking down cultural and social barriers (as demonstrated by the eunuch's ultimate baptism).