Acts 8 6

Acts 8:6 kjv

And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

Acts 8:6 nkjv

And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

Acts 8:6 niv

When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said.

Acts 8:6 esv

And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did.

Acts 8:6 nlt

Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did.

Acts 8 verses

Acts 8 6 Meaning

The large crowd in Samaria, exhibiting remarkable unity and a shared focus, paid careful attention to the message proclaimed by Philip. Their attentiveness was a direct result of both hearing his verbal teaching about Christ and personally witnessing the miraculous signs God performed through him. This combination of powerful proclamation and visible divine action served to authenticate Philip's ministry and message to the Samaritans.

Acts 8 6 Context

Acts 8 details a pivotal moment in the expansion of the early Christian church. Following Stephen's martyrdom and intense persecution in Jerusalem (Acts 8:1-3), the believers were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Philip, one of the seven deacons appointed in Acts 6:5, becomes a central figure in spreading the gospel beyond Jerusalem. Verse 5 states that Philip "went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them." Acts 8:6 immediately follows, describing the extraordinary public response to his ministry.

Historically, Samaritans and Jews harbored deep-seated animosity, rooted in centuries of religious and ethnic differences (e.g., John 4:9). Jews largely considered Samaritans a mixed-race, apostate people. For Philip, a Jewish believer, to preach Christ effectively to them marked a significant step in the church's mission to "the uttermost parts of the earth" (Acts 1:8). The immediate acceptance and unity demonstrated by "the multitudes with one accord" highlights the gospel's power to overcome formidable social and cultural barriers. This verse sets the stage for a great awakening in Samaria and also foreshadows the eventual encounter with Simon the sorcerer, whose contrasting magical displays will emphasize the genuine divine source of Philip's power.

Acts 8 6 Word analysis

• And (Καὶ - Kai): A simple conjunction here, but often acts to introduce a logical consequence or a further development in the narrative. It connects Philip's preaching in Acts 8:5 with the resultant public reception in this verse.
• the multitudes (οἱ ὄχλοι - hoi ochloi): Signifies large gatherings of people, emphasizing the broad and public nature of the response. It conveys more than just a few individuals; it refers to a significant segment of the population.
• with one accord (ὁμοθυμαδὸν - homothymadon): This crucial Greek term, appearing frequently in Acts, translates to "with one mind," "with one passion," or "unanimously." It denotes a profound unity and collective agreement, a powerful and unified intent. Its presence here is particularly striking given the historical division between Jews and Samaritans, suggesting the unifying power of the gospel.
• heeded (προσεῖχον - proseichon): An imperfect verb, indicating continuous or repeated action. It means "to pay close attention to," "to give heed to," "to be devoted to." It's more than passive hearing; it suggests an active, serious, and sustained mental engagement with what was being presented.
• the things spoken (τοῖς λεγομένοις - tois legomenois): Literally, "the things being spoken." This refers directly to Philip's verbal proclamation, the message of Christ he was sharing (Acts 8:5). It highlights the critical role of preaching and verbal communication of the gospel.
• by Philip (ὑπὸ τοῦ Φιλίππου - hypo tou Philippou): Identifies the human agent through whom God was working. Philip, though not an apostle, was chosen by God for this pioneering mission, demonstrating that God uses various believers for His work.
• hearing (ἀκούοντες - akouontes): An active participle describing the reception of the verbal message through auditory perception. This directly links to faith often coming by hearing (Rom 10:17).
• and seeing (καὶ βλέποντες - kai blepontes): An active participle indicating the reception of visual evidence through observation. This refers to the visible manifestation of divine power accompanying the spoken word.
• the miracles (τὰ σημεῖα - ta sēmeia): More accurately, "the signs." In Greek, a semeion (sign) is not just a wonder but a supernatural act intended to point beyond itself, testifying to God's presence, power, or validation of a messenger's authority. These "signs" authenticated Philip's divine commission.
• which he did (ἃ ἐποίει - ha epoiei): The imperfect tense suggests Philip was consistently performing these signs, indicating an ongoing demonstration of God's power through his ministry, further solidifying the crowds' attentiveness.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "the multitudes with one accord heeded": This phrase emphasizes the transformative impact of Philip's ministry. It highlights a widespread, collective, and harmonious reception, suggesting that the gospel dissolved pre-existing societal divisions (between Samaritans and Jews) and brought people together in common purpose and focus. The active "heeding" points to a serious and sincere engagement.
• "the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing": This pairing encapsulates the dual nature of gospel proclamation and reception. People were moved not just by compelling words, but also by observable, tangible demonstrations of divine power. This "word and power" combination was highly persuasive, with each element reinforcing the other, establishing credibility and confirming the truth of Philip's message.
• "the miracles which he did": This segment clarifies the nature and source of the compelling visual evidence. These were not random events but purposeful "signs" wrought by divine power through Philip, authenticating his role as God's messenger and the truthfulness of the Christ he proclaimed. They served as visible evidence of God's presence and action among them.

Acts 8 6 Bonus section

• Polemics against Sorcery: This verse subtly sets up a polemic against Simon the sorcerer (Acts 8:9-11), who also captivated the Samaritan populace with "signs." Philip's miracles, however, were true manifestations of divine power bringing deliverance, health, and salvation, whereas Simon's were ultimately deceptive displays for personal gain, lacking spiritual transformative power. The subsequent narrative clarifies this distinction for the original audience.
• Role of Philip: It's noteworthy that Philip, described as one of the seven "deacons" or "servers" (Acts 6:5), was performing such powerful signs and evangelizing effectively. This emphasizes that the Great Commission and the anointing of the Holy Spirit for witness (Acts 1:8) were not exclusive to the twelve apostles but extended to all believers, empowering them to spread the gospel wherever they were scattered.
• The Power of Dual Witness: The verse highlights the effective evangelistic pattern of combining the spoken Word with demonstrations of God's power. For the first-century context, signs and wonders were crucial in convincing a world accustomed to various spiritual claims and superstitious beliefs, demonstrating that the God proclaimed was real and actively at work. This model remains relevant for confirming the Gospel through transformed lives, answered prayer, and spiritual breakthrough even today.

Acts 8 6 Commentary

Acts 8:6 paints a vibrant picture of an evangelistic breakthrough. Following persecution, Philip's relocation to Samaria, a previously marginalized territory from a Jewish perspective, demonstrates the gospel's indiscriminate reach. The extraordinary unity reflected in "with one accord" is profound, signaling the gospel's power to bridge ethnic and social divides that once seemed insurmountable. The Samaritans' "heeding" was not passive but an active, attentive reception. This responsiveness stemmed from a powerful synergy: the logical, spiritual content of "the things spoken by Philip" concerning Christ, coupled with the undeniable, tangible reality of "the miracles which he did." These miracles served as divine credentials, proving God's active involvement and authenticating Philip's message. This verse succinctly demonstrates the early church's evangelistic methodology: a divinely empowered word proclaimed by a faithful messenger, visibly confirmed by God's manifest power. It showcases the Holy Spirit working through ordinary believers, leading to collective spiritual revival and a unified response to the Good News.