Acts 8:15
What does Acts 8:15 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 8:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 8:15 means
Upon their arrival in Samaria, Peter and John immediately engaged in prayer for the new believers. Their specific request was that these recently converted Samaritans might receive the Holy Spirit. This prayer indicates that while these new believers had expressed faith in Jesus and been baptized in water, they had not yet experienced the indwelling or empowering presence of the Holy Spirit in the way the apostles understood it, necessitating further spiritual impartation.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit:
KJV
King James Version · 1611Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Who, when they came there, made prayer for them, that the Holy Spirit might be given to them:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862who having come down did pray concerning them, that they may receive the Holy Spirit, --
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Who, when they were come, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890who, having come down, prayed for them that they might receive [the] Holy Spirit;
Context
This verse explains the specific mission of Peter and John, building on their arrival in verse 14. It addresses a key detail of the Samaritans' spiritual experience—the absence of the Holy Spirit, which is further clarified in verse 16. This sets the stage for the actual impartation of the Spirit in verse 17, and crucially, for Simon's misunderstanding and subsequent attempt to buy spiritual power.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 2:38
And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
- Matthew 18:19
Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father who is in heaven.
- John 14:13
And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
- John 16:23
And in that day ye shall ask me no question. Verily, verily, I say unto you, If ye shall ask anything of the Father, he will give it you in my name.
- Philippians 1:19
For I know that this shall turn out to my salvation, through your supplication and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
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