Acts 8:32
New International Version
This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth.

New Living Translation
The passage of Scripture he had been reading was this: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter. And as a lamb is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth.

English Standard Version
Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this: “Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth.

Berean Standard Bible
The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so He did not open His mouth.

Berean Literal Bible
Now the passage of Scripture that he was reading was this: "He was led as a sheep to slaughter, and as a lamb before the one shearing him is silent, so He does not open His mouth.

King James Bible
The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:

New King James Version
The place in the Scripture which he read was this: “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before its shearer is silent, So He opened not His mouth.

New American Standard Bible
Now the passage of Scripture which he was reading was this: “HE WAS LED LIKE A SHEEP TO SLAUGHTER; AND LIKE A LAMB THAT IS SILENT BEFORE ITS SHEARER, SO HE DOES NOT OPEN HIS MOUTH.

NASB 1995
Now the passage of Scripture which he was reading was this: “HE WAS LED AS A SHEEP TO SLAUGHTER; AND AS A LAMB BEFORE ITS SHEARER IS SILENT, SO HE DOES NOT OPEN HIS MOUTH.

NASB 1977
Now the passage of Scripture which he was reading was this: “HE WAS LED AS A SHEEP TO SLAUGHTER; AND AS A LAMB BEFORE ITS SHEARER IS SILENT, SO HE DOES NOT OPEN HIS MOUTH.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now the passage of Scripture which he was reading was this: “AS A SHEEP IS LED TO SLAUGHTER; AND AS A LAMB BEFORE ITS SHEARER IS SILENT, SO HE DOES NOT OPEN HIS MOUTH.

Amplified Bible
Now this was the passage of Scripture which he was reading: “LIKE A SHEEP HE WAS LED TO THE SLAUGHTER; AND AS A LAMB BEFORE ITS SHEARER IS SILENT, SO HE DOES NOT OPEN HIS MOUTH.

Christian Standard Bible
Now the Scripture passage he was reading was this: He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb is silent before its shearer, so he does not open his mouth.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Now the Scripture passage he was reading was this: He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb is silent before its shearer, so He does not open His mouth.

American Standard Version
Now the passage of the Scripture which he was reading was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before his shearer is dumb, So he openeth not his mouth:

Contemporary English Version
The man was reading the passage that said, "He was led like a sheep on its way to be killed. He was silent as a lamb whose wool is being cut off, and he did not say a word.

English Revised Version
Now the place of the scripture which he was reading was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before his shearer is dumb, So he openeth not his mouth:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
This was the part of the Scriptures that the official was reading: "He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. He was like a sheep that is silent when its wool is cut off. He didn't open his mouth.

Good News Translation
The passage of scripture which he was reading was this: "He was like a sheep that is taken to be slaughtered, like a lamb that makes no sound when its wool is cut off. He did not say a word.

International Standard Version
This was the passage of Scripture he was reading: "Like a sheep he was led away to be slaughtered, and like a lamb is silent before its shearer, so he does not open his mouth.

Majority Standard Bible
The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture: ?He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so He did not open His mouth.

NET Bible
Now the passage of scripture the man was reading was this: "He was led like a sheep to slaughter, and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth.

New Heart English Bible
Now the passage of the Scripture which he was reading was this, "He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he does not open his mouth.

Webster's Bible Translation
The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so he opened not his mouth:

Weymouth New Testament
The passage of Scripture which he was reading was this: "Like a sheep He was led to slaughter, and just as a lamb before its shearer is dumb so He opened not His mouth.

World English Bible
Now the passage of the Scripture which he was reading was this, “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter. As a lamb before his shearer is silent, so he doesn’t open his mouth.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the passage of the Writing that he was reading was this: “He was led as a sheep to slaughter, "" And as a lamb before his shearer is silent, "" So He does not open His mouth;

Berean Literal Bible
Now the passage of Scripture that he was reading was this: "He was led as a sheep to slaughter, and as a lamb before the one shearing him is silent, so He does not open His mouth.

Young's Literal Translation
And the contents of the Writing that he was reading was this: 'As a sheep unto slaughter he was led, and as a lamb before his shearer dumb, so he doth not open his mouth;

Smith's Literal Translation
And the passage of the writing which he read was this, As a sheep for slaughter was he brought; and as a lamb before him shearing it dumb, so he opened not his mouth:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the place of the scripture which he was reading was this: He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb without voice before his shearer, so openeth he not his mouth.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now the place in Scripture that he was reading was this: “Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter. And like a lamb silent before his shearer, so he opened not his mouth.

New American Bible
This was the scripture passage he was reading: “Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opened not his mouth.

New Revised Standard Version
Now the passage of the scripture that he was reading was this: “Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter, and like a lamb silent before its shearer, so he does not open his mouth.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The portion of the scripture which he was reading was this: He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and like a ewe sheep before the shearer, so he opened not his mouth:

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But the section of Scripture he read had this in it: “He was led as a lamb for sacrifice and as a ewe before its shearer is silent, also in this way he opened not his mouth.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
The passage of the scripture which he was reading, was this: As a sheep for the slaughter was he led; and as a lamb before his shearer is dumb, so opened he not his mouth

Godbey New Testament
and the place of the scripture which he was reading was this, He was led like a sheep to the slaughter; and as a lamb before the one shearing him is dumb, so he opens not his mouth.

Haweis New Testament
The portion of scripture which he had been reading was this: ?He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and as a lamb before him who sheareth it is dumb, so he opened not his mouth:

Mace New Testament
the passage of the scripture which he read, was this, "he was led as a sheep to the slaughter, and like a lamb before his shearer, was dumb, so opened he not his mouth:

Weymouth New Testament
The passage of Scripture which he was reading was this: "Like a sheep He was led to slaughter, and just as a lamb before its shearer is dumb so He opened not His mouth.

Worrell New Testament
Now the passage of the Scripture which he was reading was this: "He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and, as a lamb dumb before its shearer, so He openeth not His mouth.

Worsley New Testament
And the portion of scripture, which he was reading, was this, "He was led as a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before it's shearer is dumb, so He opened not his mouth:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Philip and the Ethiopian
31“How can I,” he said, “unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so He did not open His mouth. 33In His humiliation He was deprived of justice. Who can recount His descendants? For His life was removed from the earth.”…

Cross References
Isaiah 53:7-8
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth. / By oppression and judgment He was taken away, and who can recount His descendants? For He was cut off from the land of the living; He was stricken for the transgression of My people.

1 Peter 2:22-24
“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.” / When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly. / He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. “By His stripes you are healed.”

Matthew 27:12-14
And when He was accused by the chief priests and elders, He gave no answer. / Then Pilate asked Him, “Do You not hear how many charges they are bringing against You?” / But Jesus gave no answer, not even to a single charge, much to the governor’s amazement.

John 1:29
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

Luke 23:9
Herod questioned Jesus at great length, but He gave no answer.

Mark 15:5
But to Pilate’s amazement, Jesus made no further reply.

Philippians 2:7-8
but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. / And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross.

Revelation 5:6
Then I saw a Lamb who appeared to have been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.

John 19:9
and he went back into the Praetorium. “Where are You from?” he asked. But Jesus gave no answer.

Matthew 26:63
But Jesus remained silent. Then the high priest said to Him, “I charge You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God.”

Hebrews 9:28
so also Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await Him.

Romans 8:36
As it is written: “For Your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

John 10:11
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

1 Corinthians 5:7
Get rid of the old leaven, that you may be a new unleavened batch, as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.

Matthew 12:18-20
“Here is My Servant, whom I have chosen, My beloved, in whom My soul delights. I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will proclaim justice to the nations. / He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear His voice in the streets. / A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish, till He leads justice to victory.


Treasury of Scripture

The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:

He was.

Isaiah 53:7,8
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth…

as a.

Psalm 44:11,12
Thou hast given us like sheep appointed for meat; and hast scattered us among the heathen…

Jeremiah 11:19
But I was like a lamb or an ox that is brought to the slaughter; and I knew not that they had devised devices against me, saying, Let us destroy the tree with the fruit thereof, and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be no more remembered.

Jeremiah 12:3
But thou, O LORD, knowest me: thou hast seen me, and tried mine heart toward thee: pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter.

and like.

John 1:29
The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

1 Peter 1:19
But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

1 Peter 2:21-24
For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: …

opened.

Psalm 39:2,9
I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred…

Matthew 26:62,63
And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? …

Luke 23:34
Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

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Book Contents Cut Death Dumb Eunuch Lamb Led Mouth Open Opened Openeth Opens Passage Presence Quiet Read Reading Scripture Sheep Silent Slaughter Sound Wool Writing
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Book Contents Cut Death Dumb Eunuch Lamb Led Mouth Open Opened Openeth Opens Passage Presence Quiet Read Reading Scripture Sheep Silent Slaughter Sound Wool Writing
Acts 8
1. By occasion of the persecution in Jerusalem, the church being planted in Samaria,
4. by Philip the deacon, who preached, did miracles, and baptized many;
9. among the rest Simon the sorcerer, a great seducer of the people;
14. Peter and John come to confirm and enlarge the church;
15. where, by prayer and imposition of hands giving the Holy Spirit;
18. when Simon would have bought the like power of them,
20. Peter sharply reproving his hypocrisy and covetousness,
22. and exhorting him to repentance,
25. together with John preaching the word of the Lord, return to Jerusalem;
26. but the angel sends Philip to teach and baptize the Ethiopian Eunuch.














The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture:
The Ethiopian eunuch, a high-ranking official, was reading from the book of Isaiah. This highlights the spread of Jewish scriptures beyond Israel, indicating the influence of Judaism in the ancient world. The eunuch's ability to read suggests he was educated and had access to religious texts, which were not commonly available to everyone at the time.

“He was led like a sheep to the slaughter:
This phrase is a direct quotation from Isaiah 53:7, a prophetic passage often referred to as the "Suffering Servant." It is widely interpreted as a prophecy about Jesus Christ, who was led to His crucifixion willingly, like a sheep to slaughter. The imagery of a sheep is significant in Jewish culture, symbolizing innocence and sacrifice, as seen in the Passover lamb.

and as a lamb before the shearer is silent:
The lamb's silence before the shearer reflects Jesus' demeanor during His trial and crucifixion. Despite the false accusations and suffering, Jesus did not defend Himself, fulfilling the prophecy of His silent submission. This silence is a powerful testament to His obedience to God's will and His role as the sacrificial Lamb.

so He did not open His mouth:
This emphasizes Jesus' fulfillment of prophecy through His quiet acceptance of suffering and death. It connects to the New Testament accounts of Jesus' trial, where He remained silent before His accusers (Matthew 27:12-14, Mark 15:3-5). This silence underscores His role as the Messiah, who willingly bore the sins of humanity without protest.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Ethiopian Eunuch
A high-ranking official in charge of the treasury of the Kandake (queen) of the Ethiopians. He was a God-fearing Gentile who had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning home.

2. Philip the Evangelist
One of the seven deacons chosen in Acts 6, Philip was led by the Holy Spirit to meet the Ethiopian eunuch on the road from Jerusalem to Gaza.

3. Isaiah the Prophet
The passage the eunuch was reading is from the book of Isaiah, specifically Isaiah 53, which is a prophetic text about the suffering servant, widely understood by Christians to refer to Jesus Christ.

4. The Road from Jerusalem to Gaza
This is the setting where Philip encounters the Ethiopian eunuch. It is a desert road, symbolizing the spiritual journey and the divine appointment orchestrated by God.

5. The Holy Spirit
The Spirit plays a crucial role in guiding Philip to the eunuch, demonstrating the active role of the Holy Spirit in evangelism and the spread of the Gospel.
Teaching Points
Understanding Prophecy
The passage highlights the importance of understanding Old Testament prophecies and their fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Christians are encouraged to study the Scriptures diligently to see how they point to Christ.

The Role of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit's guidance in evangelism is crucial. Believers should be sensitive to the Spirit's leading in sharing the Gospel with others.

Divine Appointments
God orchestrates encounters for His purposes. Like Philip, we should be ready to respond to God's call to share the Gospel, even in unexpected places.

The Suffering Servant
Jesus' silent suffering is a model of humility and obedience. Believers are called to emulate Christ's example in facing trials with faith and trust in God.

Inclusivity of the Gospel
The conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch demonstrates that the Gospel is for all people, regardless of ethnicity or social status. Christians are called to share the Gospel with everyone.(32) The place of the scripture which he read.--The word for "place" is apparently used as an equivalent for the Hebrew Parashah, or Haphtarah, which were technically used for the sections of the Law and Prophets respectively appointed for use as lessons in the synagogue services. It was in common use among the Greek writers, and was adopted by Cicero (Ep. ad Att. xiii. 25).

He was led as a sheep to the slaughter.--We may venture, taking as our guide the statement in Acts 8:35 that Philip "preached unto him Jesus," to represent to ourselves the method of interpretation which would be given of each clause. In 1Peter 2:23 we find the outlines of such a method. The story of the Passion would be told; the silent patience of the Sufferer; His previous life and work; the proofs which both had given that He was none other than that which He claimed to be--the Christ, the Son of God.

Verse 32. - Now the place for the place, A.V.; was reading for read, A.V.; as a lamb... is dumb for like a lamb dumb, A.V.; he openeth not for opened he not, A.V. As a lamb... is dumb. The A.V. of this clause seems to me preferable as a rendering of the Greek, though the Hebrew has נֶאֶלָמָה, "is dumb." But this may be rendered "which is dumb." As regards the word περιοχή, rendered place, and considered as the antecedent to which, the use of it by Cicero ('Ad Attic.,' 13:25) for a whole paragraph, and the employment in the Syriac Version of this passage of the technical word which denotes a "section" or "paragraph," and the Vulgate rendering, Locus... quem (Schleusner), as well as the etymology of the word, which means "a circuit," or "circumference," within which something is contained - all strongly point to the rendering in the text. Meyer, however, and others make τῆς γραφῆς the antecedent to ἥν, and construe, "The contents of the Scripture which he was reading," and refer to 1 Peter 2:6.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
[The eunuch] was reading
ἀνεγίνωσκεν (aneginōsken)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 314: To read, know again, know certainly, recognize, discern. From ana and ginosko; to know again, i.e. to read.

this
αὕτη (hautē)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

passage
περιοχὴ (periochē)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4042: A section or passage of Scripture. From periecho; a being held around, i.e. a passage.

of
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Scripture:
γραφῆς (graphēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1124: (a) a writing, (b) a passage of scripture; plur: the scriptures. A document, i.e. Holy Writ.

“He was led
ἤχθη (ēchthē)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 71: A primary verb; properly, to lead; by implication, to bring, drive, go, pass, or induce.

like
Ὡς (Hōs)
Adverb
Strong's 5613: Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.

a sheep
πρόβατον (probaton)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4263: A sheep. Probably neuter of a presumed derivative of probaino; something that walks forward, i.e., a sheep.

to
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

[the] slaughter,
σφαγὴν (sphagēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4967: Slaughter, sacrifice. From sphazo; butchery (figuratively) of men (destruction).

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

as
ὡς (hōs)
Adverb
Strong's 5613: Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.

a lamb
ἀμνὸς (amnos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 286: A lamb (as a type of innocence, and with sacrificial connotation). Apparently a primary word; a lamb.

before
ἐναντίον (enantion)
Preposition
Strong's 1726: Before, in the presence of, in the eyes of. Neuter of enantios; in the presence of.

the
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

shearer
κείραντος (keirantos)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2751: To shear, cut the hair of; mid: I cut my own hair, have my hair cut. A primary verb; to shear.

[is] silent,
ἄφωνος (aphōnos)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 880: Soundless, voiceless, speechless, dumb. Figuratively, unmeaning.

so
οὕτως (houtōs)
Adverb
Strong's 3779: Thus, so, in this manner. Or (referring to what precedes or follows).

He did not open
ἀνοίγει (anoigei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 455: To open. From ana and oigo; to open up.

His
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
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.

mouth.
στόμα (stoma)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4750: The mouth, speech, eloquence in speech, the point of a sword.


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