Acts 8:18
What does Acts 8:18 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 8:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 8:18 means
When Simon observed the visible manifestation that accompanied the giving of the Holy Spirit through the apostles' laying on of hands, he perceived this spiritual power as something that could be acquired and controlled through financial transaction. His offer of money reveals a profound misunderstanding of God's grace and a continued mercenary mindset, despite his earlier baptism. He saw a tangible skill or secret that could be bought, rather than a divine gift freely bestowed by God.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Now when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money,
KJV
King James Version · 1611And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Now when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Now when Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given through the touch of the Apostles' hands, he made them an offering of money, saying,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Simon, having beheld that through the laying on of the hands of the apostles, the Holy Spirit is given, brought before them money,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And when Simon saw that, by the imposition of the hands of the apostles, the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But Simon, having seen that by the laying on of the hands of the apostles the [Holy] Spirit was given, offered them money,
Context
This verse is a crucial turning point, showing Simon's true heart, which was only previously hinted at in verse 13. His observation of the apostles' actions (verse 17) directly leads to his sinful proposition. This sets up Peter's powerful rebuke in the following verses, exposing Simon's spiritual corruption and emphasizing that divine power cannot be bartered or bought.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Kings 5:15
And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him; and he said, Behold now, I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a present of thy servant.
- 2 Kings 8:9
So Hazael went to meet him, and took a present with him, even of every good thing of Damascus, forty camels’ burden, and came and stood before him, and said, Thy son Ben-hadad king of Syria hath sent me to thee, saying, Shall I recover of this sickness?
- Ezekiel 13:19
And ye have profaned me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to my people that hearken unto lies.
- Matthew 10:8
Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons: freely ye received, freely give.
- 1 Timothy 6:5
wranglings of men corrupted in mind and bereft of the truth, supposing that godliness is a way of gain.
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