Acts 8 9

Acts 8:9 kjv

But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:

Acts 8:9 nkjv

But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great,

Acts 8:9 niv

Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great,

Acts 8:9 esv

But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great.

Acts 8:9 nlt

A man named Simon had been a sorcerer there for many years, amazing the people of Samaria and claiming to be someone great.

Acts 8 verses

Acts 8 9 Meaning

Acts 8:9 introduces a prominent figure named Simon, residing in the Samaritan city where Philip was ministering. Before Philip's arrival, Simon had established himself as a practitioner of sorcery, captivating the people through his deceptive arts and leading them to believe he was a person of great importance, possibly even possessing divine qualities or special spiritual power.

Acts 8 9 Context

Acts chapter 8 opens with a severe persecution breaking out in Jerusalem following Stephen's martyrdom, scattering believers across Judea and Samaria. Philip, one of the seven deacons, travels to Samaria, a region historically at odds with Judea, to preach the Christ. His ministry is marked by authentic signs and wonders: he casts out demons and heals the sick, leading many Samaritans to believe and be baptized. The powerful, miraculous works performed by Philip, clearly from God, attracted significant attention. This context sets the stage for the introduction of Simon, a prominent local figure who, prior to Philip's arrival, had held considerable influence over the Samaritan population through his own brand of "magic" and self-promotion. His pre-existing sway and reputation are juxtaposed with the true divine power demonstrated through Philip.

Acts 8 9 Word analysis

• But: (δὲ, de) Indicates a transition or a slight contrast. It introduces Simon's background as distinct from, and in contrast to, Philip's new, authentic ministry in the city.
• there was a certain man: (ἀνὴρ δέ τις, anēr de tis) Simple introduction of a specific individual, setting him apart.
• called Simon: (ὀνόματι Σίμων, onomati Simōn) Identifies the individual by name. This figure is historically known as Simon Magus (Simon the Magician), and later early Christian writers considered him a significant source of early heresies, often associated with Gnosticism.
• which beforetime: (προϋπῆρχεν, proupērcheto) Signifies that his activities predated Philip's arrival, establishing him as a well-known figure with an existing reputation and influence in the community.
• in the same city: (ἐν τῇ πόλει, en tē polei) Explicitly places Simon's established operations within the very Samaritan city where Philip was now successfully preaching, highlighting the immediate conflict of spiritual influences.
• used sorcery: (μαγεύων, mageuōn) Derived from μάγος (magos). Here, it specifically denotes practicing occult arts, divination, magic, or enchantments, implying deception, manipulation, and claims of supernatural power outside of God. Unlike the "wise men" from the East in Matthew 2, the term here carries a negative connotation of engaging in dark or false spirituality. It describes his method of operation.
• and bewitched: (ἐξιστάνων, existanōn) This verb means "to stand out of oneself," to be amazed, astonished, or astounded. Simon's practices caused great wonder and bewilderment among the people, capturing their attention and influencing their perception. It indicates his effect on their minds and beliefs, leading them to be fascinated by him.
• the people of Samaria: (τὸ ἔθνος τῆς Σαμαρείας, to ethnos tēs Samareias) Refers to the entire Samaritan community. This shows the widespread impact and reach of Simon's influence across a historically distinct, syncretistic populace, prone to accepting diverse spiritual claims.
• giving out that himself was some great one: (λέγων εἶναί τινά ἑαυτὸν μέγαν, legōn einai tina heauton megan) Literally "saying himself to be someone great." This reveals Simon's self-aggrandizement. He actively proclaimed his own exalted status, possibly claiming divine attributes, a special prophetic role, or being a significant manifestation of divine power. This claim directly contrasts with Christ's humility and the true source of spiritual authority.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "But there was a certain man, called Simon": This phrase immediately introduces a specific antagonist, setting up a clear juxtaposition between the true, God-sent ministry of Philip and this existing, influential figure.
• "which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched": This group highlights Simon's established modus operandi and the broad, deceptive impact he had already made on the Samaritan populace, preparing the reader for the clash between his counterfeit power and the genuine power of the Holy Spirit. His method involved occult practices, resulting in public amazement and manipulation.
• "bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one": This emphasizes the extent of his deception and the nature of his pride. His ability to astonish people was intrinsically linked to his audacious self-exaltation, creating a powerful and charismatic cult of personality centered around himself rather than God.

Acts 8 9 Bonus section

The figure of Simon Magus in Acts 8:9 is not just an incidental character but a highly significant one for early Christian history. His actions in Samaria established a template for spiritual deception that the Church would repeatedly face. Early Church Fathers, like Irenaeus, Tertullian, and Hippolytus, consistently identify Simon as the "father of all heresies," viewing him as the progenitor of Gnosticism, a diverse philosophical and religious movement characterized by the belief in secret knowledge (gnosis) and often a dualistic worldview. While scholars debate the extent of this historical connection in Simon's lifetime, his self-proclamation as a "great one" and later attempt to purchase spiritual authority (Acts 8:18-19) show a foundational mindset that could evolve into such heresies. His example stands as a stark warning against self-exaltation, the desire for power without true conversion, and the perils of seeking to manipulate or monetize the gifts of God's Spirit—a practice from which the term "simony" derives, referring to the sin of buying or selling ecclesiastical privileges or sacred things.

Acts 8 9 Commentary

Acts 8:9 introduces Simon Magus, a key adversary in the early spread of the Gospel. He represents the first major instance in Acts of someone directly attempting to imitate or appropriate divine power for personal gain and status. Simon’s sorcery (μαγεία) signifies a range of occult practices, from elaborate illusions to invocation of spirits, distinctly separate from genuine miracles performed through God’s Spirit. His success in bewitching the Samaritans underscores the deceptive power of these dark arts to capture human attention and manipulate perception, creating a spiritual vacuum he filled. The most striking aspect of his character, giving out that himself was some great one, reveals profound pride and self-exaltation, fundamentally opposing the humble self-sacrifice of Christ. This was not merely showmanship but a claim to a high spiritual, possibly divine, identity, putting him in direct competition with the worship due only to God. The contrast between Simon's established, human-driven influence and Philip's Holy Spirit-empowered ministry provides a vital lesson in discerning authentic spiritual power from its counterfeit.