1909–14. VIII
[1 ] AND Saul was consenting unto his death. [2 ] And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church which was in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judæa and Samaria, except the apostles. [3 ] And devout men buried Stephen, and made great lamentation over him. [4 ] But Saul laid waste the church, entering into every house, and dragging men and women committed them to prison. [5 ] They therefore that were scattered abroad went about preaching 1 the word. [6 ] And Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and proclaimed unto them the Christ. [7 ] And the multitudes gave heed with one accord unto the things that were spoken by Philip, when they heard, and saw the signs which he did. [8 ] For 2 from many of those that had unclean spirits, they came out, crying with a loud voice: and many that were palsied, and that were lame, were healed. [9 ] And there was much joy in that city. [10 ] But there was a certain man, Simon by name, who beforetime in the city used sorcery, and amazed the people 3 of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: [11 ] to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is that power of God which is called Great. [12 ] And they gave heed to him, because that of long time he had amazed them with his sorceries. [13 ] But when they believed Philip preaching 4 good tidings concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. [14 ] And Simon also himself believed: and being baptized, he continued with Philip; and beholding signs and great miracles 5 wrought, he was amazed. [15 ] Now when the apostles that were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: [16 ] who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit: [17 ] for as yet it was fallen upon none of them: only they had been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. [18 ] Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. [19 ] Now when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy 6 Spirit was given, he offered them money, [20 ] saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay my hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit. [21 ] But Peter said unto him, Thy silver perish with thee, because thou hast thought to obtain the gift of God with money. [22 ] Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: 7 for thy heart is not right before God. [23 ] Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray the Lord, if perhaps the thought of thy heart shall be forgiven thee. [24 ] For I see that thou art 8 in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity. [25 ] And Simon answered and said, Pray ye for me to the Lord, that none of the things which ye have spoken come upon me. [26 ] They therefore, when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached 9 the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans. [27 ] But an angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward 10 the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza: the same is desert. [28 ] And he arose and went: and behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, who had come to Jerusalem to worship; [29 ] and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah. [30 ] And the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. [31 ] And Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? [32 ] And he said, How can I, except some one shall guide me? And he besought Philip to come up and sit with him. [33 ] Now the passage of the scripture which he was reading was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before his shearer is dumb, So he openeth not his mouth:
[34 ] In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: His generation who shall declare? For his life is taken from the earth.
[35 ] And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or some other? [36 ] And Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this scripture, preached 11 unto him Jesus. [37 ] And as they went on the way, they came unto a certain water; and the eunuch saith, Behold, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 12 [38 ] And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. [39 ] And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip; and the eunuch saw him no more, for he went on his way rejoicing. [40 ] But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached 13 the gospel to all the cities, till he came to Cæsarea.
Note 1. back ]Note 2. For many of those that had unclean spirits that cried with a loud voice came forth. [back ]Note 3. nation. [back ]Note 4. back ]Note 5. powers. [back ]Note 6. Holy. [back ]Note 7. word. [back ]Note 8. wilt become gall (or, a gall root ) of bitterness and a bond of iniquity. Comp. Deut. 29. 18; Heb. 12. 15. [back ]Note 9. brought good tidings. Comp. ch. 5. 42. [back ]Note 10. at noon. Comp. ch. 22. 6. [back ]Note 11. back ]Note 12. And Philip said, If thou believest with all thy heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. [back ]Note 13. back ]
