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 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 8:11 | and they paid much attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his sorceries. | Simon's sorcery captivated attention |
| Matthew 4:24 | So the reports of him went throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, the epileptics, and the paralytics, and he healed them. | Jesus' healing miracles drew similar attention |
| 2 Timothy 3:8 | Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of corrupt mind and disqualified regarding the faith. | Parallel to those who oppose God with false powers |
| Isaiah 47:12 | "Stand fast in your enchantments and your many sorceries! To what you have applied yourself—from your youth—perhaps you can gain profit; perhaps you can make them triumphant! | Warning against reliance on sorceries |
| Jeremiah 10:2 | Thus says the Lord: "Learn not the way of the nations, nor be dismayed by the signs of the heavens, although the nations are dismayed by them, | Rejection of pagan practices |
| Revelation 18:23 | and the light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore, and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall not be heard in you anymore, for your merchants were the great ones of the earth, and all nations were deceived by your sorcery. | Deception through sorcery in final judgment |
| 1 Corinthians 6:10 | nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. | Categorizing sinful practices |
| Galatians 5:19-20 | Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. | Sorcery listed as a work of the flesh |
| Deuteronomy 18:10 | There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead. | Prohibiting sorcery in the Law |
| Leviticus 19:31 | Do not turn to mediums or to spiritists; do not seek them out and be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God. | Prohibiting consultation of mediums |
| Exodus 7:11 | Then Pharaoh said to his magicians and the sorcerers, "Cast the tradition from your rods"? So they also did with their secret arts. | Sorcerers performing seemingly supernatural acts |
| Exodus 8:18 | The magicians tried by their secret arts to produce gnats, but they could not. So the magicians said to Pharaoh, "This is the finger of God." | Limitations of magicians compared to God |
| Daniel 2:2 | Then the king called for the magicians and the enchanters and the sorcerers and the Chaldeans to tell his soothsayers. So they came in and stood before the king. | Sorcerers among the king's advisors |
| Acts 13:6 | When they had gone through the whole island, they came to Paphos, where they found a certain sorcerer, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus. | Another instance of a sorcerer |
| Romans 1:29-31 | ...⁵filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. | List of vices including deception |
| John 8:44 | You are of your father the devil, and your desires are to do your father's will. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. | Contrast between truth and deceit |
| 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 | The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth, so as to be saved. | False signs and wonders used for deception |
| 1 John 4:1 | Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. | Discernment required in spiritual matters |
| Philippians 3:2 | Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of those who mutilate the flesh. | Warning against those who deceptively lead |
| Revelation 13:13 | It also performed great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in the sight of the people. | Performing impressive but misleading signs |
Acts 8 verses
Acts 8 9 Meaning
This verse describes Simon's former practice of sorcery and his renown in the city of Samaria, presenting him as a figure who captivated the people's attention through his magical arts.
Acts 8 9 Context
In the context of Acts chapter 8, Philip the evangelist has been preaching the gospel effectively in Samaria, leading many to believe and be baptized. This chapter marks a significant expansion of the early church's mission beyond Jerusalem and Judea. Samaria, historically a place of mixed peoples and Samaritan culture, becomes a pivotal location for this new phase. Simon, previously a prominent figure in Samaria due to his sorcery, represents the existing spiritual landscape that the Gospel is now challenging. His former influence highlights the spiritual need and the opposition the early church would face from entrenched non-Christian powers and practices.
Acts 8 9 Word Analysis
- Ὡς (hōs) - "as," "like," "since." It introduces a clause stating how Simon conducted himself previously.
- ἀνὴρ (anēr) - "man," "husband." Emphasizes Simon's gender and individuality.
- τις (tis) - "a certain," "someone." Indicates he is a particular, identifiable person, but perhaps not widely known to the immediate audience of Luke.
- ὢν (ōn) - "being," "existing." The present participle of "to be," connecting to his ongoing or habitual state before the current narrative.
- πρότερον (proteron) - "before," "previously." Specifies that this behavior was characteristic of his past.
- πράσσων (prassōn) - "doing," "practicing." The present participle of "to do," indicating active engagement in his craft.
- μαγεία (mageia) - "magic," "sorcery." The root of the word "magic," referring to the use of supernatural or occult arts, often associated with manipulation or deception. This term carries negative connotations in a biblical context.
- ἀποστελλόντων (apostellontōn) - "sending," "dispatching." From apostellō, to send forth. Here it implies sending out messages or emissaries, or perhaps making pronouncements that impacted people.
- Σαμάρειαν (Samareian) - "Samaria," "Samaritans." The region and its people, a key geographical and cultural setting for this event.
- τὰ ἔθνη (ta ethnē) - "the nations," "the Gentiles." Refers to the populace of Samaria in contrast to other groups. This is important as it shows the impact of Simon's work on the broader population.
- Θαυμάζειν (thaumazein) - "to wonder," "to be amazed," "to marvel." The infinitive indicating the effect his practices had on people.
- ἐκπλήττων (ekplēttōn) - "astonishing," "overcoming with surprise," "stupefying." Present participle of ekplēssō, to strike out, to astonish. Describes the intense reaction caused by his "magic."
- αὐτούς (autous) - "them," referring to the inhabitants of Samaria.
Word Group Analysis
- Ὡς ἀνὴρ τις ὢν πρότερον - This phrase sets up Simon's prior identity and actions before encountering the gospel, highlighting a distinction between his past and his current state of being amazed.
- πράσσων μαγείαν - "practicing sorcery." This verb, prassō, suggests an ongoing, habitual activity, not a singular event, underscoring his deep involvement in magical practices.
- τὰ ἔθνη Θαυμάζειν ἐκπλήττων αὐτούς - "astonishing them, the nations/people." This powerful construction emphasizes the significant hold Simon had over the populace, leaving them in a state of awe or bewildered fascination due to his "magic."
Acts 8 9 Bonus Section
The figure of Simon Magus is a significant one in early Christian tradition, not just for his role in Acts but also for later developments. Some early church fathers, like Justin Martyr, identify him as a leading figure in the formation of Gnosticism, a heresy that intertwined philosophical speculation with Christian teachings. This verse lays the groundwork for understanding his initial appeal, which was based on spectacular but ultimately deceptive practices. The impact of mageia and the sensationalism associated with it presented a real challenge to the quiet but transformative power of the Gospel message preached by Philip. The use of "the nations" (ta ethnē) here in relation to Samaria suggests the mixed population, who were perhaps more susceptible to impressive displays of power given their history and less rigorous adherence to Mosaic law compared to some Judeans.
Acts 8 9 Commentary
Simon Magus is presented here as a stark contrast to the ministry of Philip. His claim to power through sorcery (mageia) is depicted as something that captured the attention of the Samaritans, who were in a state of spiritual yearning. The term mageia often implies deceptive arts designed to impress and control, distinct from genuine divine power. Simon's notoriety stemmed from his ability to produce effects that astonished the populace, leading them to view him as the "Great Power of God" (Acts 8:10). This highlights the cultural milieu where such figures held sway, a practice deeply disapproved of in Jewish tradition (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). His influence underscores the pervasive presence of superstition and reliance on human or demonic power rather than divine revelation. The verse positions him as a spiritual leader of sorts before the Gospel's impact, showing the depth of the spiritual work Philip was undertaking.