Acts 8:8 kjv
And there was great joy in that city.
Acts 8:8 nkjv
And there was great joy in that city.
Acts 8:8 niv
So there was great joy in that city.
Acts 8:8 esv
So there was much joy in that city.
Acts 8:8 nlt
So there was great joy in that city.
Acts 8 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 51:12 | Restore to me the joy of Your salvation... | Joy of salvation and spiritual renewal. |
| Isa 12:3 | With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. | Joy as a result of divine deliverance. |
| Isa 52:7 | ...who brings good news, who announces peace, who brings good news of happiness, who announces salvation... | Joy accompanies the Good News/Gospel. |
| Lk 1:14 | Many will rejoice at his birth. | Great joy associated with God's work/birth. |
| Lk 2:10-11 | "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people..." | The Gospel message is of "great joy". |
| Lk 7:22 | "...the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed... and the poor have the good news preached to them." | Miracles and preaching bring joy. |
| Lk 10:17 | The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name." | Joy over victory against demonic powers. |
| Lk 15:7 | "I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents..." | Heavenly joy over repentance. |
| Jn 4:39-41 | "Many Samaritans from that city believed in Him..." | Samaritans receiving Jesus/the word. |
| Acts 1:8 | "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses... to Samaria..." | Fulfillment of the mission to Samaria. |
| Acts 5:41 | So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name. | Joy even amid suffering for Christ. |
| Acts 8:5 | Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming Christ to them. | Philip's specific mission leading to joy. |
| Acts 13:48 | When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord... | Gentiles' joy upon receiving the Gospel. |
| Rom 14:17 | for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. | Joy as an attribute of God's Kingdom. |
| Rom 15:13 | Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. | God as the source of joy by His Spirit. |
| Gal 5:22 | But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace... | Joy as a fruit of the Holy Spirit. |
| Phil 4:4 | Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! | Command to maintain Christian joy. |
| 1 Thess 1:6 | You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit. | Joy despite tribulation, by the Spirit. |
| 1 Pet 1:8 | And though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory. | Inexpressible joy through faith in Christ. |
| Neh 8:12 | So all the people went away to eat, to drink, to send portions and to celebrate a great feast, because they understood the words which had been told to them. | Great joy from understanding God's word. |
| Zep 3:14 | Shout for joy, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart... | Joy due to God's presence and deliverance. |
Acts 8 verses
Acts 8 8 Meaning
Acts 8:8 signifies a profound and widespread gladness that permeated the city of Samaria. This overwhelming joy was a direct outcome of Philip's powerful ministry, which included the clear proclamation of Jesus Christ, miraculous signs such as healing and exorcism, and the subsequent reception of the Gospel by the Samaritan people. It demonstrates the tangible, divine impact of the Kingdom of God breaking into new territory, validated by evident spiritual and physical liberation.
Acts 8 8 Context
Acts 8:8 stands in the immediate aftermath of severe persecution in Jerusalem following Stephen's martyrdom, which caused believers to scatter throughout Judea and Samaria. Philip, one of the seven chosen to serve, journeys to the city of Samaria (identified from earlier verses as a significant place for the Gospel's spread). Before this verse, Philip has already proclaimed Christ, and his message is accompanied by powerful signs: unclean spirits crying out and being cast out, and many who were paralyzed or lame being healed (Acts 8:5-7). The verse "And there was great joy in that city" thus summarizes the widespread positive reception and spiritual transformation that occurred as a direct result of Philip's ministry, highlighting the impact of the authentic Gospel and the divine power accompanying it among a people previously estranged from the Jews. This fulfillment also echoes Jesus' commission in Acts 1:8 for the disciples to be witnesses in Samaria.
Acts 8 8 Word analysis
- And (καὶ - kai): This common Greek conjunction serves as a simple connector, indicating continuity. Here, it signifies that the "great joy" was a direct, consequential outcome of Philip's preaching, the miracles, and the deliverance mentioned in the preceding verses (Acts 8:6-7). It highlights the immediate link between divine action and human response.
- there was (ἐγένετο - egeneto): Meaning "it happened," "it came to pass," or "it became." This verb emphasizes that the joy was not merely an existing state, but an event or development that emerged, implying a new and dynamic experience. It underscores the active, powerful transformation occurring in the city, rather than a passive observation.
- great (μεγάλη - megalē): Signifying "large," "extensive," or "prominent." This adjective stresses the intensity and pervasive nature of the joy. It was not just isolated happiness among a few individuals, but a profound, overwhelming, and collective emotion that permeated the entire urban community, impacting many within it. This amplifies the significance of the spiritual awakening.
- joy (χαρὰ - chara): This Greek noun denotes a deep-seated gladness, rejoicing, or a state of spiritual exhilaration. In biblical context, chara is frequently associated with the presence and work of the Holy Spirit, salvation, the proclamation of the Good News, and the realization of God's kingdom (Rom 14:17; Gal 5:22). It represents more than mere fleeting happiness; it is a profound, divinely-given spiritual delight, often a response to God's intervention and grace. This joy stands in stark contrast to the despair or deception prevalent before the Gospel's arrival.
- in that city (ἐν τῇ πόλει ἐκείνῃ - en tē polei ekeinē): "In the city, that one." This phrase specifically denotes the geographical location: Samaria. The specification is crucial, as Samaria held unique significance; it was a place of historical antagonism with Jews. For such widespread joy to occur in this specific city underscores the universal reach of the Gospel, extending even to those considered outcasts by many. It marks a key step in the global mission foretold in Acts 1:8.
- Words-group: "great joy" (μεγάλη χαρὰ - megalē chara): The combination of "great" and "joy" signifies a unique and exceptional state. This was not simply a common feeling but an overwhelming, profound, and pervasive spiritual and emotional outpouring. Scholars emphasize this points to a divine seal of approval on Philip's ministry, indicative of the Spirit's work. It reflects the deep impact of physical healing and spiritual deliverance on the entire community, transforming their spiritual atmosphere from one of despair or oppression to one of widespread celebration and renewed hope. It is a foretaste of the kingdom of God's manifest presence.
Acts 8 8 Bonus section
The "great joy" in Samaria represents a pivotal moment in the book of Acts, fulfilling Jesus' words in Acts 1:8 concerning the expansion of the Gospel "to Samaria." It strikingly contrasts with the usual animosity between Jews and Samaritans, demonstrating the reconciling power of the Good News. This universal spread of joy through the Gospel anticipates the wider gentile conversions, underscoring that salvation and the joy of the Holy Spirit are not limited to one group but are for all people who believe. The city's reaction also foreshadows the negative presence of Simon Magus later in the chapter, setting up a distinction between true, Spirit-led transformation and false, manipulative attempts to mimic divine power. The joy was collective, a powerful display that the transformation was not isolated to individuals but touched the heart of the community.
Acts 8 8 Commentary
Acts 8:8 captures a powerful turning point in the early Church's mission. The "great joy" in Samaria serves as tangible evidence of the Holy Spirit's authentic presence and work through Philip. This joy was not just an emotional response but a deep, Spirit-filled gladness stemming from spiritual and physical liberation. The Samaritans, previously entangled in false teachings and living under various forms of oppression, experienced deliverance through the proclamation of Christ and the accompanying signs. Their collective joy stands as a testament to the life-transforming power of the Gospel and God's impartiality in extending His grace beyond ethnic and religious boundaries. It affirms the expansion of the Kingdom of God, proving the reality of divine power overcoming evil and bringing abundant life where despair once reigned.Examples: A community once burdened by disease and fear suddenly healed and freed, resulting in collective exultation; people long deceived by sorcery embracing the true power of Christ, finding genuine liberation and delight.