Acts 8:38
What does Acts 8:38 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 8:38 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 8:38 means
Responding to the eunuch's eager request, he commanded the chariot to stop. Both Philip and the eunuch then went down into the water, where Philip formally baptized him. This act of immersion symbolizes the eunuch's spiritual death to sin and resurrection to new life in Christ, publicly declaring his faith and cleansing. This immediate baptism underscores the early church's practice of baptizing new believers upon their confession of faith.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And he gave orders for the carriage to be stopped, and the two of them went down into the water, and Philip gave him baptism.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and he commanded the chariot to stand still, and they both went down to the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And he commanded the chariot to stand still. And they went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch. And he baptized him.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And he commanded the chariot to stop. And they went down both to the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptised him.
Context
This verse describes the direct and immediate fulfillment of the eunuch's request for baptism from verse 36. It signifies a profound spiritual moment, as the eunuch formalizes his newfound faith through this ordinance. This act of baptism immediately precedes the Spirit's miraculous removal of Philip in verse 39, emphasizing the divine orchestration of the entire encounter and the distinct roles played.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
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