On their arrival
This phrase marks a significant moment in the early church's expansion. The "arrival" refers to Peter and John, two of the apostles, who were sent from Jerusalem to Samaria. The Greek word for "arrival" (παραγίνομαι, paraginomai) implies coming alongside or being present. This highlights the importance of apostolic authority and presence in the early church, ensuring that the new believers in Samaria were integrated into the wider Christian community. Historically, this reflects the church's mission to transcend cultural and ethnic boundaries, as Samaritans were traditionally viewed with suspicion by Jews.

they prayed
Prayer is a central theme in the book of Acts, often preceding significant events or the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The Greek word for "prayed" (προσεύχομαι, proseuchomai) indicates a deep, earnest communication with God. This act of prayer by Peter and John underscores the dependence on divine intervention and guidance in the mission of the church. It serves as a model for believers, emphasizing that spiritual empowerment and growth are rooted in prayerful reliance on God.

for them
The "them" refers to the new Samaritan believers who had accepted the word of God through Philip's preaching. This inclusion of Samaritans is a pivotal moment in the early church, as it demonstrates the breaking down of long-standing barriers between Jews and Samaritans. Theologically, it signifies the universality of the gospel message and the inclusivity of God's kingdom, where all are invited to partake in the blessings of the Holy Spirit.

to receive
The Greek word for "receive" (λαμβάνω, lambanō) implies an active acceptance or taking hold of something offered. In this context, it suggests that the Holy Spirit is a gift that must be willingly accepted by the believers. This highlights the cooperative relationship between divine grace and human response in the process of spiritual empowerment and transformation.

the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, essential for the life and mission of the church. In the book of Acts, the Holy Spirit's role is prominent, empowering believers for witness and service. The reception of the Holy Spirit by the Samaritans marks a new phase in the church's expansion, fulfilling Jesus' promise in Acts 1:8 that the disciples would be His witnesses "in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." This event underscores the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, who unites diverse groups into one body and equips them for the mission of spreading the gospel.

(15) Prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost.--The prayer clearly pointed to such a gift of the power of the Spirit as had been bestowed on the Day of Pentecost. It assumed that such gifts had been received by the disciples generally at Jerusalem, and that they were distinct from the new birth of water and the Spirit (John 3:5) which was given through baptism. The Apostles looked on the Samaritans as qualified for that higher gift as well as for admission into the kingdom, and it was given to them, and not to Philip in his subordinate position as an evangelist, to be the channels of communicating it.

Verse 15. - That they might receive the Holy Ghost. Why was it needful that two apostles should come down to Samaria and pray, with laying on of hands, for the newly baptized that they might receive the Holy Ghost? There is no mention of such prayer or such imposition of hands in the case of the first three thousand who were baptized. They were told by St. Peter, "Be baptized every one of you, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2:38), and they were baptized, and doubtless did receive the Holy Ghost, Neither is there any mention of such things in the case of the subsequent thousands who were baptized at Jerusalem on the apostles' preaching. Why, then, was it so in Samaria? To answer this question, we must observe the difference in the circumstances. The baptisms at Jerusalem were performed by the apostles themselves. The Holy Ghost was given upon their promise and assurance. But in Samaria the preaching and the baptizing were done by the scattered disciples. There was a danger of many independent bodies springing up, owing no allegiance to the apostles, and cemented by no bonds to the mother Church. But Christ's Church was to be one - many members, but one body. The apostolate was to be the governing power of the whole Church, by the will and ordinance of Christ. Hence there was a manifest reason why, when the gospel spread beyond Judaea, these visible spiritual gifts should be given only through the laying on of the apostles' hands, and by the intervention of their prayers. This had a manifest and striking influence in marking and preserving the unity of the Church, and in marking and maintaining the sovereignty of the apostolic rule. For precisely the same reason has the Catholic and Apostolic Church in all ages (Acts 19:5, 6; Hebrews 6:2) maintained the rite of confirmation, "after the example of the holy apostles." Besides the other great benefits connected with it, its influence in binding up in the unity of the Church the numerous parishes of the diocese, instead of letting them become independent congregations, is very great. Observe, too, how prayer and the laying on of hands are tied together. Neither is valid without the other. In this case, as at Pentecost, the extraordinary gift of the Holy Ghost was conferred. In confirmation, now that miracles have ceased, it is the ordinary and invisible grace of the Holy Spirit that is to be looked for.

Parallel Commentaries ...


On their arrival,
καταβάντες (katabantes)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2597: To go down, come down, either from the sky or from higher land, descend. From kata and the base of basis; to descend.

they prayed
προσηύξαντο (prosēuxanto)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4336: To pray, pray for, offer prayer. From pros and euchomai; to pray to God, i.e. Supplicate, worship.

for
περὶ (peri)
Preposition
Strong's 4012: From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.

them
αὐτῶν (autōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

to
ὅπως (hopōs)
Conjunction
Strong's 3704: From hos and pos; what(-ever) how, i.e. In the manner that (as adverb or conjunction of coincidence, intentional or actual).

receive
λάβωσιν (labōsin)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2983: (a) I receive, get, (b) I take, lay hold of.

[the] Holy
Ἅγιον (Hagion)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 40: Set apart by (or for) God, holy, sacred. From hagos; sacred.

Spirit.
Πνεῦμα (Pneuma)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4151: Wind, breath, spirit.


Acts 8:15 NIV
Acts 8:15 NLT
Acts 8:15 ESV
Acts 8:15 NASB
Acts 8:15 KJV

Acts 8:15 BibleApps.com
Acts 8:15 Biblia Paralela
Acts 8:15 Chinese Bible
Acts 8:15 French Bible
Acts 8:15 Catholic Bible

NT Apostles: Acts 8:15 Who when they had come down prayed (Acts of the Apostles Ac)