Devine Scripture

Acts 8:27

What does Acts 8:27 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 8:27 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 8:27 means

Philip promptly obeyed the angelic command, and as he traveled, he encountered an Ethiopian eunuch. This man was a high-ranking official, entrusted with all the royal treasury under Candace, the queen of the Ethiopians, indicating his significant authority and wealth. He had journeyed to Jerusalem specifically for the purpose of worship, revealing his earnest spiritual seeking and devotion, despite his non-Jewish background and physical condition.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he arose and went: and behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, who had come to Jerusalem to worship;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he arose and went: and behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, who had come to Jerusalem to worship;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he went and there was a man of Ethiopia, a servant of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, and controller of all her property, who had come up to Jerusalem for worship;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And having arisen, he went on, and lo, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch, a man of rank, of Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, who had come to worship to Jerusalem;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And rising up, he went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch, of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge over all her treasures, had come to Jerusalem to adore.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he rose up and went. And lo, an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a man in power under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, who had come to worship at Jerusalem,

Context

This verse describes Philip's immediate obedience to the angelic command in verse 26 and introduces the second major character in this chapter's narrative: the Ethiopian eunuch. His high status, foreign origin, and spiritual earnestness immediately establish the significance of this divine appointment, setting the stage for the direct interaction between Philip and the eunuch that begins in verse 28.

v.26But an angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza: the same is desert.

v.27This passage

v.28and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 2 Chronicles 6:32

    Moreover concerning the foreigner, that is not of thy people Israel, when he shall come from a far country for thy great name’s sake, and thy mighty hand, and thine outstretched arm; when they shall come and pray toward this house:

  • 1 Kings 10:1

    And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of Jehovah, she came to prove him with hard questions.

  • John 12:20

    Now there were certain Greeks among those that went up to worship at the feast:

  • John 2:5

    His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

  • Jeremiah 38:7

    Now when Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, a eunuch, who was in the king’s house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon (the king then sitting in the gate of Benjamin),

  • Jeremiah 39:16

    Go, and speak to Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, saying, Thus saith Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I will bring my words upon this city for evil, and not for good; and they shall be accomplished before thee in that day.

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