Acts 8:7 kjv
For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.
Acts 8:7 nkjv
For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed.
Acts 8:7 niv
For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed.
Acts 8:7 esv
For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed.
Acts 8:7 nlt
Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed.
Acts 8 7 Cross References
Verse | Text | Reference |
---|---|---|
Acts 8:7 | "For many who had unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of them. And many who were paralyzed or lame were healed." | Fulfillment of Jesus' ministry |
Matthew 10:8 | "Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give." | Apostolic command for healing and deliverance |
Mark 1:34 | "He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him." | Jesus' similar ministry |
Luke 4:18 | "The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to deliver those who are oppressed." | Jesus' stated mission |
Acts 3:6 | "Then Peter said, 'Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.'" | Healing a lame man in Jesus' name |
Acts 5:16 | "Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those troubled with unclean spirits, and all were healed." | Community-wide healing through apostles |
1 Corinthians 12:9-10 | "to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, and to another the working of miracles..." | Spiritual gifts operational in the church |
2 Corinthians 10:4 | "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds." | Spiritual warfare and power against demonic forces |
Revelation 12:11 | "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death." | Victory over Satan through Christ |
Psalm 107:20 | "He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions." | God's word as a source of healing |
Isaiah 61:1 | "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound." | Prophecy of messianic healing ministry |
Jeremiah 17:14 | "Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; Save me, and I shall be saved, For you are my praise." | Prayer for divine healing |
3 John 1:2 | "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in good health, just as your soul is prospering." | Well-being including physical health |
John 14:12 | "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father." | Believers empowered to do Jesus' works |
Mark 16:17-18 | "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” | Signs accompanying believers |
Acts 1:8 | "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” | Empowerment by the Holy Spirit for witness and work |
Romans 8:11 | "But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” | Indwelling Spirit brings life and renewal |
Ephesians 4:11-12 | "And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." | Ministry gifts for the body of Christ |
Colossians 1:13 | "He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the kingdom of His dear Son." | Deliverance from demonic dominion |
Philippians 3:10 | "that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death." | Experiencing the power of Christ's resurrection |
Acts 8 verses
Acts 8 7 Meaning
In Acts 8:7, it is described that evil spirits were driven out by many who were possessed, and paralyzed and lame people were healed. This verse highlights the supernatural power evident in the early church, a tangible manifestation of the Holy Spirit's work. It demonstrates Christ's victory over demonic forces and his ability to restore physical health, continuing the ministry He performed during His earthly life.
Acts 8 7 Context
Acts 8 follows the persecution of the church in Jerusalem after Stephen's martyrdom. This led to the scattering of believers throughout Judea and Samaria, fulfilling Jesus' commission in Acts 1:8. In Samaria, Philip, one of the seven deacons, preached the gospel with signs and wonders. Verse 7 specifically describes the manifestations of God's power through Philip and other believers, confirming the message of salvation. This occurred within a Samarian context, a region with its own religious practices and history of syncretism, making the gospel's impact all the more significant. The early church's experience was marked by tangible spiritual empowerment as they shared the gospel.
Acts 8 7 Word analysis
- καὶ (kai): "and" - a common conjunction connecting clauses and ideas, linking the two types of miraculous occurrences described.
- πολλῶν (pollōn): "many" (genitive plural) - indicates a significant number of people affected by evil spirits and those who were paralyzed or lame.
- τῶν: (tōn) "of the" (genitive plural masculine/feminine) - definite article, referring to the "many" previously mentioned or understood in context.
- κατεχομένων: (katechomenōn) "possessed" or "held by" (present passive participle, genitive plural) - originates from katochē, meaning to hold down or keep under restraint, particularly referring to demonic possession.
- ἀκαθάρτων: (akathartōn) "unclean" (genitive plural adjective) - referring to impurities, specifically in this context, spirits considered defiled and morally corrupt, linked to demonic beings.
- πνευμάτων: (pneumatōn) "spirits" (genitive plural noun) - referring to the invisible entities, understood as demons or evil spirits.
- μετὰ: (meta) "with" - indicating accompaniment.
- φωνῆς: (phōnēs) "a voice" (genitive singular noun) - the sound or utterance made by the spirits.
- κραυγῆς: (kraugēs) "loud cry" or "shout" (genitive singular noun) - from krāugazō, implying a piercing, distressed, or forceful cry, characteristic of demon expulsion in the Bible.
- ἐξεπορεύοντο: (exeporeuonto) "came out" or "departed" (imperfect middle/passive indicative, 3rd person plural) - from exporeuomai, signifying their exit from the possessed individuals. The imperfect tense suggests the ongoing nature of these events.
- καὶ: (kai) "and" - conjunction linking the two sets of miraculous events.
- πολλοὶ: (polloi) "many" (nominative plural) - a significant number.
- τῶν: (tōn) "of the" (genitive plural masculine) - definite article.
- παραλυτικῶν: (paralytikōn) "paralyzed" (genitive plural adjective/noun) - people suffering from paralysis, weakness, or inability to move.
- καὶ: (kai) "and" - conjunction.
- χωλῶν: (chōlōn) "lame" (genitive plural adjective/noun) - people with physical impairments affecting their gait.
- ἐθεραπεύοντο: (etherapeuonto) "were healed" (imperfect passive indicative, 3rd person plural) - from therapeuō, meaning to cure, heal, or serve. The imperfect tense indicates the ongoing process of healing.
Grouped analysis:
- "unclean spirits" (ἀκαθάρτων πνευμάτων): This phrase denotes entities regarded as spiritually defiled and a source of impurity. In the biblical worldview, uncleanliness often implied a separation from God, with demonic spirits being the primary exemplars of such defilement. Their expulsion signified a re-establishment of order and the presence of divine power that eradicates spiritual corruption.
- "crying with a loud voice" (μετὰ φωνῆς κραυγῆς): The intense cry suggests distress or pain as the unclean spirits are forced out, demonstrating the struggle between demonic influence and the encroaching power of God. This is a recurring motif in the Gospels when Jesus casts out demons.
- "paralyzed and lame were healed" (παραλυτικῶν καὶ χωλῶν ἐθεραπεύοντο): This describes physical restoration from debilitating conditions. The healing of paralysis and lameness represents not only the physical restoration of the body but also a restoration of function, allowing individuals to live fully within their community, symbolizing the restoration offered by the Gospel.
Acts 8 7 Bonus section
The description of spirits crying out with a loud voice when expelled is a significant detail. In scripture, demons often react with vocal outcry or agitation when confronted by divine power or holiness. This signifies their awareness of Christ and their resistance to His authority. The imperfect tense used for both "coming out" and "being healed" suggests these were not isolated incidents but ongoing demonstrations of God's power happening repeatedly within the community at that time. This widespread manifestation of miracles served to draw attention and affirm the authenticity of the gospel message being preached.
Acts 8 7 Commentary
The verse vividly illustrates the tangible results of the Gospel's advance in Samaria through Philip's ministry. The power displayed is directly linked to the Holy Spirit's work in driving out evil spirits and healing those afflicted by physical infirmities. This wasn't just theoretical teaching; it was a demonstration of the Kingdom of God's power to liberate and restore. The expulsion of demons signifies freedom from spiritual bondage, and the healing of the paralyzed and lame demonstrates Christ's compassion and restorative power, which brings wholeness. This was a clear sign to the Samaritans that the ministry was divinely authenticated, affirming the truth of the message Philip was proclaiming. The power manifested in Acts 8:7 echoes the power Jesus Himself exercised, demonstrating continuity in His work through His followers.