But
there was a certain man, Simon by name, who used to practice sorcery in the city, and amazed the people of Samaria, making himself out to be some great one, to whom they all listened, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is that great power of God.” They listened to him, because for a long time he had amazed them with his sorceries. But when they believed Philip preaching good news concerning God’s Kingdom and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Simon himself also believed. Being baptized, he continued with Philip. Seeing signs and great miracles occurring, he was amazed.
Acts 8:9-13
Acts 8 [1.] Saul was consenting to his death. A great persecution arose against the assembly which was in Jerusalem in that day. They were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except for the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen, and lamented greatly over him. But Saul ravaged the assembly, entering into every house, and dragged both men and women off to prison. Therefore those who were scattered abroad went around preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and proclaimed to them the Christ. The multitudes listened with one accord to the things that were spoken by Philip, when they heard and saw the signs which he did. For unclean spirits came out of many of those who had them. They came out, crying with a loud voice. Many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed. There was great joy in that city.
Acts 8 [9.] But there was a certain man, Simon by name, who used to practice sorcery in the city, and amazed the people of Samaria, making himself out to be some great one, to whom they all listened, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is that great power of God.” They listened to him, because for a long time he had amazed them with his sorceries. But when they believed Philip preaching good news concerning God’s Kingdom and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Simon himself also believed. Being baptized, he continued with Philip. Seeing signs and great miracles occurring, he was amazed.
Acts 8 [14.] Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit; for as yet he had fallen on none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of Christ Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. Now when Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, saying, “Give me also this power, that whomever I lay my hands on may receive the Holy Spirit.”
Meaning:
Philip had brought the Good News to the city of Samaria, where signs of healing and deliverance filled the city with joy (Acts 8:5-8). Luke now introduces a man who had held that city in his grip long before Philip arrived. His story shows the difference between the power of God and the power of human spectacle, and it prepares for the confrontation with Peter that follows (Acts 8:20-24).
- “Simon by name, who used to practice sorcery”
Magic, charms and spells were part of everyday life in the ancient world. Later in Acts, Paul confronted a sorcerer on Cyprus (Acts 13:8), and at Ephesus new believers burned their books of magic (Acts 19:19). Israel’s law had forbidden all such practices: “There shall not be found with you anyone who … practices sorcery” and “whoever does these things is an abomination to Yahweh” (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). Later Christian writers called him “Simon Magus.”
- “This man is that great power of God”
Simon was “making himself out to be some great one,” and the people, “from the least to the greatest,” believed it. Philip, by contrast, “proclaimed to them the Christ” and pointed away from himself. Like the magicians of Egypt, who imitated Moses’ signs until “Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods” (Exodus 7:11), Simon’s impressive arts could not stand beside the real work of God.
- “they believed Philip preaching good news concerning God’s Kingdom and the name of Jesus Christ”
God’s Kingdom was the message Jesus spoke about during the forty days after his resurrection (Acts 1:3), and Acts ends with Paul still “preaching God’s Kingdom” in Rome (Acts 28:31). The Samaritans believed and “were baptized, both men and women,” as Peter had urged at Pentecost: “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ” (Acts 2:38).
- “Simon himself also believed. Being baptized, he continued with Philip.”
Luke says plainly that Simon believed and was baptized, yet a few verses later Peter tells him, “your heart isn’t right before God.” Christians read this differently. Some think Simon’s faith was real but immature, still mixed with old habits and in need of repentance. Others think he believed only in what he saw, like the people in Jerusalem who believed “observing his signs,” to whom Jesus “didn’t trust himself” (John 2:23-25). The text leaves his final state open.
- “Seeing signs and great miracles occurring, he was amazed”
Luke uses the same word three times. Simon “amazed the people,” he had “amazed them with his sorceries,” and now he himself “was amazed.” The one who had astonished a whole city was astonished by something greater. Yet the rest of the story shows that amazement at power is not the same as surrender to the Lord.
The Significance of Acts 8:9-13
- Faith in Christ, not in spectacle
Jesus warned that some would say, “didn’t we … in your name do many mighty works?” and yet hear, “I never knew you” (Matthew 7:22-23). True faith rests on Jesus himself, not on displays of power.
- Freedom from the occult
The Good News set Samaria free from a man who had “amazed them with his sorceries.” Christ still frees people from fear, superstition and manipulation, and calls his followers to trust God rather than hidden powers.
Cross-References:
Deuteronomy 18:10: “There shall not be found with you … one who practices sorcery.” God’s law against magic.
John 2:23-24: “Many believed in his name, observing his signs which he did. But Jesus didn’t trust himself to them.” Faith based on signs alone.
Acts 19:19: “Many of those who practiced magical arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all.” New believers break with magic.
Conclusion: In Samaria a famous sorcerer named Simon had long amazed the people and claimed to be “that great power of God.” When the Samaritans believed Philip’s preaching about God’s Kingdom and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, and Simon too believed, was baptized and followed Philip, amazed at the signs. His story warns that being impressed by God’s power is not the same as a heart made right with God.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible