Acts 8 38

Acts 8:38 kjv

And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

Acts 8:38 nkjv

So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.

Acts 8:38 niv

And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.

Acts 8:38 esv

And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.

Acts 8:38 nlt

He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.

Acts 8 verses

Acts 8 38 Meaning

Acts 8:38 details the physical act of the Ethiopian eunuch's baptism. Following his confession of faith in Jesus Christ, the eunuch ordered his chariot to stop. Both Philip, the evangelist, and the eunuch then went down into a body of water, where Philip performed the baptism, likely by immersion. This verse highlights the immediacy and physical nature of early Christian baptism.

Acts 8 38 Context

This verse is the climax of the narrative concerning Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch, found in Acts 8:26-40. Philip, a deacon and evangelist, was supernaturally directed by God to travel on a desert road from Jerusalem to Gaza. There, he encountered an influential Ethiopian eunuch, a treasury official, returning home from worship in Jerusalem, who was reading from the scroll of Isaiah. Guided by the Holy Spirit, Philip approached the chariot and, upon discovering the eunuch was struggling to understand Isaiah 53, began to preach Jesus to him from that very Scripture. Convinced by Philip's message, and seeing water available along the roadside, the eunuch immediately requested baptism. Acts 8:38 records the fulfillment of this request, demonstrating a rapid response to the Gospel and adherence to Christian practice. This event marks a significant step in the global spread of Christianity, as the Gospel reaches a high-ranking foreign official from Africa.

Acts 8 38 Word analysis

• And he commanded: Greek: ekeleusen (ἐκέλευσεν). Implies an authoritative instruction. The eunuch, a man of power, exercises his authority, signaling a profound internal transformation and urgency in his newfound faith.
• the chariot: Greek: harma (ἅρμα). The primary mode of transport for an official of the queen. Symbolically, the journey halted signifies a momentous, faith-driven interruption of routine.
• to stand still: Greek: stēnai (στῆναι). An immediate cessation of movement. Reflects the eunuch's eagerness and immediate obedience to the promptings of God for baptism.
• and they went down: Greek: katebēsan (κατέβησαν). Plural, indicating joint action. Emphasizes both Philip and the eunuch physically entering the water, consistent with the practice of immersion baptism.
• both into: Greek: amphoteroi eis (ἀμφότεροι εἰς). "Both" highlights two individuals, servant of God and new believer, engaging in the same physical act. "Into" clearly indicates movement into a body of water, not just to its edge or having water poured upon them.
• the water: Greek: hydōr (ὕδωρ). A natural body of water found along the road. The necessity of sufficient water implies immersion, reinforcing the historical mode of baptism.
• both Philip: The baptizer, the instrument of God, humble enough to descend into the water with the one being baptized.
• and the eunuch; The newly converted, expressing his faith publicly and obediently through the ordinance. His unique status (Ethiopian, eunuch, high official) underscores the universality of the Gospel and baptism.
• and he baptized him: Greek: ebaptisen (ἐβάπτισεν). From baptizō (βαπτίζω), meaning to immerse, dip, or submerge. This is the core act, symbolizing the death, burial, and resurrection with Christ.

Acts 8 38 Bonus section

• Purity Laws & Inclusion: The Ethiopian eunuch's status would have complicated his full participation in Jewish temple worship (Deut 23:1 prohibits eunuchs from the assembly of the Lord). His immediate baptism into the Christian faith signifies the breaking down of racial, social, and physical barriers by the gospel of Christ, confirming the prophecy of Isaiah 56 that even eunuchs and foreigners who embrace God's covenant will be welcomed.
• Sufficiency of Water: The narrative implies the existence of a natural water source ("some water") along a desert road, which would have been sufficient for immersion. This subtly contrasts with practices requiring minimal water.
• Immediacy: The eunuch's prompt request and immediate baptism after hearing the Gospel ("What prevents me from being baptized?") highlight the New Testament pattern of baptism as an immediate act of obedience for a new believer, following repentance and faith, rather than a delayed or instructional process.

Acts 8 38 Commentary

Acts 8:38 portrays a crucial and concise account of Christian baptism. The "command" from the eunuch, a powerful man, demonstrates the compelling conviction wrought by the Holy Spirit. His desire was immediate, springing directly from his faith in Christ following Philip's exposition of Scripture. The detail "they went down both into the water" is highly significant, providing clear Scriptural evidence for the practice of immersion baptism as it was conducted in the early Church. This physical act symbolized the believer's identification with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, moving from their old life into a new life in Christ. It represents a public declaration of an inward faith and commitment. The fact that Philip, the administrator of the ordinance, also descends into the water further illustrates the thoroughness of the immersion. This spontaneous act, occurring on a desert road, powerfully illustrates that the Christian gospel and its ordinances are not bound by sacred places but are for all who believe, wherever the Spirit leads.