Acts 8:12

Act 8:12-13. But when they believed Philip, &c. When they became spectators of Philip’s miracles, and were convinced that they were real, and those of Simon a mere sham; or, when they believed the doctrine that Philip preached, concerning the kingdom of God, they then saw and felt the real power of God, and submitted thereto; and were baptized, both men and women — Thus making an open profession of their faith in the gospel. By the influence of divine grace, working with the word, they that had been led captive by Satan, were brought into obedience to Christ. Then Simon himself believed — The truth of the doctrine taught by this messenger of God, though his heart was not truly changed by its power: and when he was baptized — On a profession of that faith; he continued with Philip — Courting a further acquaintance with him; and wondered, beholding the miracles, &c. — Greek, was astonished, or filled with amazement, as the Samaritans had formerly been, at the sight of his magical performances. “It is with peculiar elegance and propriety, that the same word which had been used to express the manner in which the Samaritans were affected with Simon’s enchantments, is here used to describe the impression which Philip’s miracles made on him.” Thus Doddridge; who adds, “We see in this, as in a thousand nearer instances, that there may be a speculative faith in the gospel where there is no true piety; and if such persons, on the profession of that faith, where nothing appears contrary to it, be admitted to those ordinances by which Christians are distinguished from the rest of mankind, it is an evil in the present state of things unavoidable, and the conduct of Christian ministers and societies, in admitting such, will be less displeasing to God than a rigorous severity.”

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Act 8:12. Δὲ, but) when they had perceived the deceit of Simon.

Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament — English translation (T&T Clark, Edinburgh, 1860) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Act_8:12. They believed Philip, who announced the good news of the kingdom of God and of the name of Jesus Christ.

εὐαγγελίζ. only here (see the critical remarks) with περί, but see Rom_1:3; Josephus, Antt. xv. 7. 2.

The Samaritans called the Messiah whom they expected הַשָּׁהֵכ or הַתָּֽהֵב, the Converter, and considered Him as the universal, not merely political, but still more religious and moral, Renewer. See on Joh_4:25.

Meyer — Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament — English translation by Peter Christie, edited by Frederick Crombie (T&T Clark, 1880) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Act 8:12 . εὐαγγελ . περὶ : only here with περί , cf. Rom 1:3 (Jos., Ant. , xv., 7, 2). Amongst the Samaritans Philip would have found a soil already prepared for his teaching, cf. Joh 4:25 , and a doctrine of the Messiah, in whom the Samaritans saw not only a political but a religious renewer, and one in whom the promise of Deu 18:15 would be fulfilled (Edersheim, Jesus the Messiah , i., 402, 403; Westcott, Introduction to the Study of the Gospels , pp. 162, 163). ἄνδρες τε καὶ γυναῖκες , cf. Act 5:14 : “etiam mulieres quae a superstitionibus difficilius abstrahuntur,” Wetstein, cf. Joh 4:35 ff.

The Expositor's Greek Testament, edited by W. Robertson Nicoll (1897–1910) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

were baptized, both men and women--the detection of Simon's frauds helping to extend and deepen the effects of Philip's preaching.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Verse 12. But when they believed Philip] So it is evident that Philip's word came with greater power then that of Simon; and that his miracles stood the test in such a way as the feats of Simon could not.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

12. When they had believed. That is the miracle whereof I spake because they heard Philip, who were altogether made astonied with the illusions of Simon; in that they were made partakers of the heavenly wisdom who were blockish and dull. So that they were, after a sort, brought from hell to heaven. Whereas baptism followed faith, it agreeth with Christ’s institution, as concerning strangers, (Mark 16:47 [sic],) and those which were without. For it was meet that they should be engrafted into the body of the Church before they should receive the sign; but the Anabaptists are too foolish, whilst they endeavor to prove by these places that infants are not to be baptized. Men and women could not be baptized without making confession of their faith; but they were admitted unto baptism upon this condition, that their families might be consecrated to God; for the covenant goeth thus:

“I will be thy God, and the God of thy seed,” (Genesis 17:7.)

John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.

(12) But when they believed Philip . . . .—The word for preaching is, as in Act_8:4, “preaching the glad tidings of the kingdom of God.” The sequel shows that this included baptism as the outward condition of admission to the kingdom. We may infer from the other narrative of Philip’s mission-work (Act_8:31-35) that it also included an outline-history of the passion and death and resurrection of the Prophet whom they had seen among them as fulfilling the great Messianic prophecies.

They were baptized, both men and women.—The tense points, not to one great act, but to the continual succession of converts who were thus admitted. We think of the woman of Samaria, of Joh_4:7, and wonder whether she was one of them.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

12. But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God] The oldest MSS. omit the things. The verb “preaching” is the same as in Act_8:4, and contains the notion of “gospel” or “glad tidings.” Now that the field of the preachers’ labour is being extended we have a further definition of the character of the message which they carried everywhere. “The kingdom of God” was the subject of Christ’s converse with the disciples during the forty days after His resurrection (Act_1:3).

and the name of Jesus Christ] i.e. that He was the Messiah of whom there was knowledge and perhaps some expectation among the Samaritans (Joh_4:25; Joh_4:42). The question of the woman of Samaria “Is not this the Christ?” was answered by Philip’s preaching.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Then Simon himself believed also,.... With an historical and temporary faith, as that Jesus was the Messiah, &c. or at least he pretended, to believe this, and professed that he did believe, what others did, and Philip preached:

and when he was baptized; upon profession of his faith, which he so artfully made, that Philip could not discover his hypocrisy: but taking him to be a sincere believer, admitted him to baptism: after which,

he continued with Philip; kept close to him, and got into a familiar acquaintance with him; and constantly attended on his ministry, as if he had been a sincere disciple and follower of Christ:

and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done; he was as much amazed at the miraculous performances of Philip, as the inhabitants of Samaria had been at his, which he could observe were real things; and this increased his wonder, and threw him into an ecstasy, that he was scarce himself: whereas he knew that what he did were only sham performances, and legerdemain tricks.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

Ver. 12. They were baptized both men and women] Who were admitted to baptism on this condition, that their infants also and their whole families should be consecrated to God; for so runs the covenant, Gen 17:7. If any ask why Christ and the apostles did not set down plainly, that infants were or might be baptized it is answered that none (then) questioned the lawfulness of it, because it was generally done. Again, if when infants were brought to be baptized (as they were brought to Christ to be blessed) the apostles had rejected them, the believing Jews (and others) would have excepted, and demanded why they might not as well be baptized, as once they were circumcised? and the apostles would have given them an answer. St Peter, speaking of baptism, limiteth it thus: "Baptism sayeth, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but," &c., 1Pe 3:21. Would not the evangelist here as well have said, men and women were baptized, only infants were not. If it be further objected, that it is in vain to give the sacrament to infants that understand not what is done to them, we answer, that the same may be said touching the sacrament of circumcision, which yet was done to infants, by God’s appointment. Thus to object therefore, is to "charge God foolishly," Job 1:22. Again, were Christ’s parables uttered in vain, because not presently understood? Or was it to no purpose that he laid his hands upon infants and blessed them? is it in vain to give medicine to children, fools, or mad men, that know not what we do to them?

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

When they believed; before they were baptized, being adult and strangers from the covenant, they must first evidence their right unto it, and profess their faith in Christ, and testify their conversation.

Concerning the kingdom of God; the kingdom of grace, and the kingdom of his glory, which is one and the same, being begun here, but consummated in heaven hereafter.

Both men and women; women under the gospel are as capable of this seal of the covenant as men.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Good tidings for the things, A.V. and T.R.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

But when they believed - What Philip preached, then they saw and felt the real power of God, and submitted thereto.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

See notes on verse 6

J. W. McGarvey (with Philip Y. Pendleton), Commentaries on the New Testament (The Fourfold Gospel, 1914; Acts; and the epistles) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

12. When they believed Philip. This verse states in the concisest manner the apostolic order of converting men: (1) Philip preached; (2) he preached the kingdom and name of Jesus Christ; (3) faith came by hearing, for the Samaritans believed; (4) when they believed they were baptized. This describes the uniform course in apostolic days. Both men and women. Note that (1) only believers are baptized, (2) that men and women are both included, but children are not named.

B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.

Connecting Statement:

These verses give more information about Simon and some of the Samaritans coming to believe in Jesus.

they were baptized

This can be stated in active form. AT: "Philip baptized them" or "Philip baptized the new believers" (See: Active or Passive)

Simon himself believed

The word "himself" is here used to emphasize that Simon believed. AT: "Simon was also one of those who believed" (See: Reflexive Pronouns)

he was baptized

This can be stated in active form. AT: "Philip baptized Simon" (See: Active or Passive)

When he saw signs

This could begin a new sentence. AT: "When he saw"

translationWords

believe

Philip, the evangelist

preach

good news

kingdom of God

Jesus

baptize

sign

miracle

might

works

amazed

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.

12. εὐαγγελιζομένῳ περὶ τῆς βασιλείας κ.τ.λ., preaching concerning the kingdom of God. Christ had prepared the Apostles for this work during the forty days after the resurrection (Act 1:3) by the things which He spake unto them about the kingdom which was to be begun.

καὶ τοῦ ὀνόματος Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, and concerning the Name of Jesus Christ, i.e. its true meaning and the evidence that to Jesus the name Christ was truly applied.

Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges (Cambridge University Press, 1896; 21 vols, various authors incl. Carr, Maclear, Plummer, Farrar, Lumby, Moule, M. R. James, Simcox) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.