Acts 8:22
What does Acts 8:22 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 8:22 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 8:22 means
Peter urged Simon to repent from his wickedness and to pray to the Lord, seeking forgiveness for the sinful thoughts of his heart. The phrase "if perhaps" suggests the gravity of Simon's offense, emphasizing that his heart was so corrupted that forgiveness, though possible with true repentance, was not a given without a genuine change of heart. This call to repentance underscores God's mercy while stressing the necessity of a sincere turning from sin.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray the Lord, if perhaps the thought of thy heart shall be forgiven thee.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray the Lord, if perhaps the thought of thy heart shall be forgiven thee.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Let your heart be changed, and make prayer to God that you may have forgiveness for your evil thoughts.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862reform, therefore, from this thy wickedness, and beseech God, if then the purpose of thy heart may be forgiven thee,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Do penance therefore for this thy wickedness: and pray to God, that perhaps this thought of thy heart may be forgiven thee.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and supplicate the Lord, if indeed the thought of thy heart may be forgiven thee;
Context
This verse presents Peter's pastoral challenge to Simon, offering a pathway to redemption after diagnosing his corrupt heart in verse 21. It emphasizes personal responsibility and the need for genuine repentance and prayer. This direct call to action leads directly to Peter's further revelation of Simon's spiritual bondage in verse 23 and then to Simon's fearful, but perhaps not truly repentant, response in verse 24.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart.
- Amos 5:15
Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish justice in the gate: it may be that Jehovah, the God of hosts, will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph.
- Revelation 2:21
And I gave her time that she should repent; and she willeth not to repent of her fornication.
- Revelation 3:17
Because thou sayest, I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art the wretched one and miserable and poor and blind and naked:
- Isaiah 55:6
Seek ye Jehovah while he may be found; call ye upon him while he is near:
- 2 Chronicles 33:12
And when he was in distress, he besought Jehovah his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers.
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