Acts 8

1 Church of Jerusalem is persecuted and scattered, 2 and Stephen buried. 3 Saul troubleth the Church. 5 Philip preacheth Christ at Samaria, and doth many miracles there, 9 where Simon the Sorcerer had seduced the people, and was in great esteem. 12 Many believe through Philips preaching, adn are baptized, 13 and amongst them Simon also. 14 Peter and John are sent to Samaria, 15 by whose prayer and imposition of hands the faithful there receive the holy Ghost, 18 which power Simon desireth to buy with money, 20 but is vehemently reproved for it by Peter, and exhorted to repentance. 26 Philip is sent to the AEthopian, who sitting on his Chrriot read the Prophet Esaiah, 34. & being instructed by Philip, after confession of his faith, is baptized by him on the way. 39 Philip is taken away by the spirit of the Lord, and found at Azotus.

1. And Saul was also well-pleased, [Namely, out of ignorance, and a perverse zeal, thinking thereby to do God service, John 16:2. 1 Tim. 1.v. 13.] at his death, [or making away] and there was at that day a great persecution against the Church which was at Jerusalem: and they were all scattered, [this is principally understood of the teachers which were at Jerusalem besides the Apostles, as may be gathered from the end of this verse and out of the fourth and fift verses following] throughout the lands of Judea and Samaria, except the Apostles. [namely, as they that had received a special command to abide at Jerusalem, Acts 1:4, 8.untill the doctrine of the Gospel should be sufficiently confirmed and spread abroad there Isaiah 2:3.]

2. And (certain) pious men carried Stephen together (to the grave) [Namely, from the place where Stephen was stoned, respecting no danger that might come upon them for it] and made great mourning for him. [after the manner of the Jews about the burials of worthy persons, Gen. 50.v. 10. John 11:31.the more because they were heartily sorry for the loss of such an excellent man.]

3. And Saul wasted the Church, going into the houses: and drawing men and women delivered them over into prison. [Namely, to the Rulers to be by them cast into prison]

4. Now therefore they that were dispersed went through (the land) and published, [Gr.Evangelized the word.]

5. And Philip, [Who was one of the seven Deacons which were chosen at Jerusalem to take care for the poor, Acts 8:5. But after this dispersion was by God chosen to be an Evangelist, to preach the Gospel at Samaria and elsewhere, and to administer the Sacraments, and to confirm the same with miracles, Acts 21:8. Ephes. 4. 11.] came down into the City of Samaria, [this was the chief City of the ten tribes of Israel; built by Amri or Homri the sixt King of Israel, 1 Kings 16. Afterwards taken by Salmanasser King of Assyria, and planted with Gentile inhabitants, 2 Kings 17. And at last laid waste by Hyrcanus, and built again by Herod, and called Sebaste in honour of Augustus Cesar. Joseph. Antiq.lib.13.cap.18.and lib. 15.cap. 11.and de bello Jud.lib.1.cap.16. Or into a City of Samaria] and preached Christ unto them.

6. And the multitudes attended with one accord to that which was said by Philip, seeing they heard and saw the signs which he did.

7. For of many that had unclean spirits (the same) went out, crying with a great voice; and many that had the palsie, and cripples, were cured.

8. And there was great joy in that City.

9. And a certain man by name Simon, [Of this Simon we read much in the old Ectlesiastical Histories; and especially that he set up the first sect, namely the abominable sect of the Simonians amongst the Christians. See Euseh. Hist. Eccles.lib. 2.cap. 12.and lib. 4.cap. 21.] was before in the City, using sorcery, and distracting the sences [namely, by the false signs which he did among them, like as the sorcerers in Egypt, Exodus 7:11. See Matthew 24:24.and 2 Thes. 2.v. 9.] of the people of Samaria, saying of himself that he was some great one.

10. Whom they all hanged on, from the small to the great, saying, this (man) is the great power of God.

11. And they depended on him because for a long time he had distracted their sences with sorceries.

12. But when they believed Philip, who published the Gospel of the Kingdome of God, and (of) the name of Jesus Christ they were baptized both men and women.

13. And Simon also himself believed: [That is, being convinced by that which he heard and saw he acknowledged the truth of the Gospel, and joined himself to the Church; although his faith not withstanding was not sincere as appears v. 21] and being baptized abode continually with Philip: seeing the signs and great mighty (deeds) which were done, [namely, the signs done by him, and far exceeding all created power, like as the sorcerers in Egypt also, at last acknowledged of Moses Exodus 8:19.] he was astonished.

14. Now when the Apostles which were at Jerusalem, heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John, [Namely, to strengthen this instant Church in the faith by these Apostles, and settle all convenient order among them.]

15. Who being come down prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost, [Namely in a visible and miraculous manner, as often happened in the first church, Acts 10:45.and 19. 6. 1 Cor. 14. 27. For otherwise they had already received the Holy Ghost, seeing no man can believe in Christ without the Holy Ghost, Romans 8:9. 1 Cor. 12. 3.]

16. (For he was yet fallen on none of them, but they were only baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) [By these words is not expressed the form of baptism, whereof Christ speaketh, Matthew 28:19. But the end whereunto baptism served, namely, to signifie unto them that by baptism they were ingrafted into Christ and his Church, Romans 6:3. Galatians 3:27.]

17. Then laid they the hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

18. And when Simon saw that by the laying of the hands of the Apostles, [This laying on of the hands was an extraordinary sign, whereby the gift of the Holy Ghost to do miracles, to prophecy, to speak with all kind of tongues, was given by the Apostles. See Acts 6:6.and chapter 19. 6.] the holy Ghost was given, he offered them money;

19. Saying, give me also this power, that on whom soever I lay hands, he may receive the holy Ghost. [That is, such miraculous gifts of the Holy Ghost, 1 Cor. 12. 4.&c.]

20. But Peter said unto him, thy money be with thee to perdition, [That is, perish with thee, which is an holy threatening, whereby he gives to understand how grievous a sin this was, and what punishment was to be expected for him, and such like, who seek to buy spiritual gifts, which sin, because of this Simons deed, used to be called Simone] because thou hast thought that the gift of God is obtained by money. [or to obtain the gift of God with mony.]

21. Thou hast no part nor lot in this word, [Or, in, or, on this matter Hebr.namely of the promise of the pouring out of the Holy Ghost, which was made by God to believers, Joel 2.and elsewhere] for thy heart is not right [that is, upright, but perverse and hypocritical] before God.

22. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps this reasoning of thy heart may be forgiven thee. [This Peter saith not, because he doubted whether God would forgive him his sin if he truely repented, but because he doubted whether he would sincerely repent as appeareth from the following words.]

23. For I see that thou art in a very bitter gall, [Gr.gall of bitterness, i.e.that there is a very bitter and wicked heart in thee, full of iniquity, Deuteronomy 29:18.] and knitting together of iniquity.

24. But Simon answering said, pray ye for me to the Lord: [He seigneth as if he would repent, for fear of destruction which Peter had threatened unto him,v. 20.] that nothing come upon me of that which ye have said.

25. Now they therefore, when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and published the Gospel (in) many Towns of the Samaritanes.

26. And an Angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, arise, and go thy way towards the South, on the way which descendeth from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is waste, [Gr.this is waste. Seeing now there were two ways to travel from Jerusalem to Gaza, the Angel warneth him that he should not travel by the most beaten, but the other which was waste through the mountains.]

27. And he arose and went his way: and behold an AEthopian, a Chamberlain, [Gr.Eunuchus, i.e.one gelded, as such were most used for Chamberlains by great Princesses. Although this word also be sometimes taken for all kind of great Lords which serve in Kings Courts, Genesis 37:36. Esther 1:10.] and a mighty Lord of Candice [as all Kings in Egypt were called Pharao, so also were all Queens of Ethiopia or Mauritania, which was for the most part governed by women, called Candace. See Plin.lib. 6.cap. 29.] the Queen of the Moors, which was over all her treasure, who was come to adore at Jerusalem. [that is, to exercise the worship of God, which was by God set up at Jerusalem, whereof adoration was one of the principal parts. Se 1 Kings 8:41.]

28. And he returned and sate on his Chariot, and read the Prophet Esaias.

29. Ans the Spirit said unto Philip, go unto, and joyn thy self to this Chariot.

30. And Philip ran to, and heard him read the Prophet Esaiah, and said, understandest thou also that which thou readest?

31. And he said, how should I, I pray, be able, [Namely to understand all that I read: for howsoever the word of God is plain enough in it self, forasmuch as is necessary to salvation, to be understood by every one by the grace of the Holy Ghost, yet notwithstanding there are some places hard to understand whereunto exposition and interpretation is needfull: wherefore God besides the reading of the word, hath also ordained the preaching and interpretation of the same, Acts 17:11. Romans 10:14. Ephes. 4.v. 21.] except a man instruct me? [Gr.lead me the way.] And he intreated Philip, that he would come up and sit by him.

32. And the palce of Scripture which he read was this,he was as a sheep led to the slaughter: and as a lamb is voiceless before him that shears it, so peneth he not his mouth.

33. In his humuliation his judgement was taken away: [How this place agrees unto Christ, and accords with the Hebrew text, see the exposition on Esa. 53.v. 7.] and who shall relate his generation? [or descent, or hi life time. Some understand this of his eternal generation of the Father; others of the multitude of believers which he should draw unto him by his death, John 12:32. Some of the eternal power and continuance of his life after his resurrection and ascension, Romans 6:9. Heb. 7.v. 24.which seemeth best to agree with the following words, Esa. 53.v.10.] for his life is taken away from the Earth.

34. And the Chamberlain answered Philip, and said, I pray thee of whom saith the Prophet this; of himself, or of some other man?

35. And Philip opened his mouth, [Of this phrase see Matthew 5:2.] and beginning from that same Scrioture preached unto him Jesus.

36. And as they travelled on the way, they came to certain water, and the Chamberlain said; loc ! there water, what doth hinder me to be baptized?

37. And Philip said, if thou believest with all thy heart, it is lawfull. And he answering, said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. [And for that cause the true Saviour, who by his suffering and death hath delivered us from sin and death, according to the foregoing prophesie. See the like short confession, Matthew 16:16.]

38. And he commanded the Chariot to hold still, and they went down both into the water, as well Philip as the Cahmberlain, and he baptized him.

39. And when they were come up out of the water, the spirit of the Lord took away Philip, and the Chamberlain saw him no more: for he travelled his way with joy. [Gr.rejoycing, namely, out of a fence of the forgiveness of his sins, and of the operation of the Holy Ghost in his mind, Rom 5.v.1.&c.]

40. But Philip was found [That is, found himself set down] at Azotus, [this was a City in Palestina, by the Hebrews called Asdod, whereof see Joshua 11:22.] and going through (the land) he published the Gospel (in) all Cities, until he came to Casarea. [this was also a City in Palestina, situate towards the Sea, formerly called Turris Stratonis, built up by Herod and called Cesarea in honour of the Emperour Augustus, See more at large the annot.on Acts 10:1]