Acts 8:10
What does Acts 8:10 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 8:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 8:10 means
The people of Samaria, across all social strata, were so impressed by Simon's sorcery that they believed he embodied a manifestation of God's great power. They attributed to him a divine-like authority, calling him "that power of God which is called Great." This indicates their significant spiritual deception and their tendency to venerate human ability rather than seek true divine intervention, setting up the dramatic contrast with Philip's genuine miracles.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is that power of God which is called Great.
KJV
King James Version · 1611To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is that power of God which is called Great.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949To whom they all gave attention, from the smallest to the greatest, saying, This man is that power of God which is named Great.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862to whom they were all giving heed, from small unto great, saying, `This one is the great power of God;'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752To whom they all gave ear, from the least to the greatest, saying: This man is the power of God, which is called great.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890To whom they had all given heed, from small to great, saying, This is the power ofGod which is called great.
Context
This verse further details Simon's profound influence established in verse 9, explaining the extent to which the Samaritans were captivated by his sorcery. It underscores the spiritual vacuum Philip encountered and provides context for the people's eventual shift of allegiance. This widespread belief in Simon makes his later conversion to Christ and subsequent actions all the more significant, highlighting the power of the Gospel to overcome deep-seated spiritual error.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 14:11
And when the multitude saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voice, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.
- Jeremiah 8:10
Therefore will I give their wives unto others, and their fields to them that shall possess them: for every one from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness; from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.
- Jeremiah 31:34
And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know Jehovah; for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith Jehovah: for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin will I remember no more.
- 1 Corinthians 1:24
but unto them that are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
- Jonah 3:5
And the people of Nineveh believed God; and they proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.
- Ephesians 4:14
that we may be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error;
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