Acts 8:16
What does Acts 8:16 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 8:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 8:16 means
This verse clarifies the spiritual state of the Samaritan believers: they had indeed been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus, signifying their identification with Christ and their public repentance. However, the Holy Spirit had not yet "fallen upon" any of them in a distinct, experiential way, as had happened with the Jewish believers at Pentecost. This indicates that water baptism, while important, was distinct from the receiving of the Holy Spirit, which required a subsequent impartation in this unique early church context.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000for as yet it was fallen upon none of them: only they had been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.
KJV
King James Version · 1611(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901for as yet it was fallen upon none of them: only they had been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For up to that time he had not come on any of them; only baptism had been given to them in the name of the Lord Jesus.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for as yet he was fallen upon none of them, and only they have been baptized--to the name of the Lord Jesus;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For he was not as yet come upon any of them: but they were only baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890for he was not yet fallen upon any of them, only they were baptised to the name of the Lord Jesus.
Context
This verse provides the theological explanation for Peter and John's prayer in verse 15, clarifying *why* they needed to pray for the Samaritans to receive the Holy Spirit. It distinguishes clearly between water baptism and the reception of the Spirit. This detailed explanation is essential context for understanding the physical act of impartation described in the very next verse and for Simon's error in valuing the 'mechanism' of the Spirit's impartation.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Galatians 3:27
For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ.
- Acts 10:44
While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them that heard the word.
- 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.
- Acts 11:15
And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the beginning.
- Acts 19:2
and he said unto them, Did ye receive the Holy Spirit when ye believed? And they said unto him, Nay, we did not so much as hear whether the Holy Spirit was given.
- 1 Corinthians 1:13
Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized into the name of Paul?
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