Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, New Living Translation A man named Simon had been a sorcerer there for many years, amazing the people of Samaria and claiming to be someone great. English Standard Version But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. Berean Standard Bible Prior to that time, a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and astounded the people of Samaria. He claimed to be someone great, Berean Literal Bible Now a certain man named Simon had formerly been practicing sorcery in the city and amazing the people of Samaria, declaring himself to be someone great, King James Bible But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: New King James Version But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, New American Standard Bible Now a man named Simon had previously been practicing magic in the city and astonishing the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great; NASB 1995 Now there was a man named Simon, who formerly was practicing magic in the city and astonishing the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great; NASB 1977 Now there was a certain man named Simon, who formerly was practicing magic in the city, and astonishing the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great; Legacy Standard Bible Now there was a man named Simon, who formerly was practicing magic in the city and astounding the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great; Amplified Bible Now there was a man named Simon, who previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great. Christian Standard Bible A man named Simon had previously practiced sorcery in that city and amazed the Samaritan people, while claiming to be somebody great. Holman Christian Standard Bible A man named Simon had previously practiced sorcery in that city and astounded the Samaritan people, while claiming to be somebody great. American Standard Version But there was a certain man, Simon by name, who beforetime in the city used sorcery, and amazed the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: Contemporary English Version For some time a man named Simon had lived there and had amazed the people of Samaria. He practiced witchcraft and claimed to be somebody great. English Revised Version But there was a certain man, Simon by name, which beforetime in the city used sorcery, and amazed the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: GOD'S WORD® Translation A man named Simon lived in that city. He amazed the people of Samaria with his practice of magic. He claimed that he was great. Good News Translation A man named Simon lived there, who for some time had astounded the Samaritans with his magic. He claimed that he was someone great, International Standard Version Now in that city there was a man named Simon. He was practicing occult arts and thrilling the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great. Majority Standard Bible Prior to that time, a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and astounded the people of Samaria. He claimed to be someone great, NET Bible Now in that city was a man named Simon, who had been practicing magic and amazing the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great. New Heart English Bible 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, Webster's Bible Translation But there was a certain man called Simon, who before in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: Weymouth New Testament Now for some time past there had been a man named Simon living there, who had been practising magic and astonishing the Samaritans, pretending that he was more than human. World English Bible 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, Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd a certain man, by name Simon, was previously in the city using magic, and amazing the nation of Samaria, saying himself to be a certain great one, Berean Literal Bible Now a certain man named Simon had formerly been practicing sorcery in the city and amazing the people of Samaria, declaring himself to be someone great, Young's Literal Translation And a certain man, by name Simon, was before in the city using magic, and amazing the nation of Samaria, saying himself to be a certain great one, Smith's Literal Translation And a certain man, Simon by name, was before in the city using magic, and astonishing the nation of Samaria, saying himself to be somebody great: Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThere was therefore great joy in that city. Now there was a certain man named Simon, who before had been a magician in that city, seducing the people of Samaria, giving out that he was some great one: Catholic Public Domain Version Therefore, there was great gladness in that city. Now there was a certain man named Simon, who formerly had been a magician in that city, seducing the people of Samaria, claiming himself to be someone great. New American Bible A man named Simon used to practice magic in the city and astounded the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great. New Revised Standard Version Now a certain man named Simon had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he was someone great. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleNow there was there a man called Semon, who had lived in that city a long time, and who had deceived the Samaritan people by his magic, boasting of himself and saying, I am the greatest one. Aramaic Bible in Plain English But there was a man there whose name was Simon who had dwelt there in that city for a long time. By his sorcery he deceived the people of the Samaritans as he was magnifying himself and saying, “I am the great God.” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentBut there was a certain man, named Simon, who had, be fore this time, been practicing magic in the city, and astonishing the people of Samaria, saying that he was some great one; Godbey New Testament And a certain man, by name Simon, was formerly practicing magic in the city, and bewitching the nation of Samaria, saying that himself was some great man: Haweis New Testament But a certain man, named Simon, lived previously in that city, who practised magic, and astonished the nation of Samaria, giving out himself as an extraordinary great personage: Mace New Testament One Simon was then resident in that place, who pretended to be something extra-ordinary, and by his magical practices had so enchanted the people of Samaria, Weymouth New Testament Now for some time past there had been a man named Simon living there, who had been practising magic and astonishing the Samaritans, pretending that he was more than human. Worrell New Testament But a certain man, Simon by name, was in the city before, using sorcery, and astonishing the nation of Samaria, affirming himself to be some great one; Worsley New Testament But there was before in the city a man named Simon practising magic and bewitching the people of Samaria, giving out that he was some great person. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Simon the Sorcerer8So there was great joy in that city. 9 Prior to that time, a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and astounded the people of Samaria. He claimed to be someone great, 10and all the people, from the least to the greatest, heeded his words and said, “This man is the divine power called the Great Power.”… Cross References Exodus 7:11-12 But Pharaoh called the wise men and sorcerers and magicians of Egypt, and they also did the same things by their magic arts. / Each one threw down his staff, and it became a serpent. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up the other staffs. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder, / and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them. Revelation 13:13-14 And the second beast performed great signs, even causing fire from heaven to come down to earth in the presence of the people. / Because of the signs it was given to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived those who dwell on the earth, telling them to make an image to the beast that had been wounded by the sword and yet had lived. Matthew 24:24 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive even the elect, if that were possible. 2 Timothy 3:8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth. They are depraved in mind and disqualified from the faith. Deuteronomy 18:10-12 Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, practices divination or conjury, interprets omens, practices sorcery, / casts spells, consults a medium or spiritist, or inquires of the dead. / For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD. And because of these detestable things, the LORD your God is driving out the nations before you. 1 Kings 22:11-12 Now Zedekiah son of Chenaanah had made for himself iron horns and declared, “This is what the LORD says: ‘With these you shall gore the Arameans until they are finished off.’” / And all the prophets were prophesying the same, saying, “Go up to Ramoth-gilead and triumph, for the LORD will deliver it into the hand of the king.” 2 Kings 9:22 When Joram saw Jehu, he asked, “Have you come in peace, Jehu?” “How can there be peace,” he replied, “as long as the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother Jezebel abound?” Isaiah 47:12-13 So take your stand with your spells and with your many sorceries, with which you have wearied yourself from your youth. Perhaps you will succeed; perhaps you will inspire terror! / You are wearied by your many counselors; let them come forward now and save you—your astrologers who observe the stars, who monthly predict your fate. Ezekiel 13:6-9 They see false visions and speak lying divinations. They claim, ‘Thus declares the LORD,’ when the LORD did not send them; yet they wait for the fulfillment of their message. / Haven’t you seen a false vision and spoken a lying divination when you proclaim, ‘Thus declares the LORD,’ even though I have not spoken? / Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: Because you have uttered vain words and seen false visions, I am against you, declares the Lord GOD. ... Jeremiah 14:14 “The prophets are prophesying lies in My name,” replied the LORD. “I did not send them or appoint them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a false vision, a worthless divination, the futility and delusion of their own minds. Jeremiah 27:9-10 But as for you, do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, your interpreters of dreams, your mediums, or your sorcerers who declare, ‘You will not serve the king of Babylon.’ / For they prophesy to you a lie that will serve to remove you from your land; I will banish you and you will perish. Daniel 2:2 So the king gave orders to summon the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers to explain his dreams. When they came and stood before the king, Daniel 5:7-8 The king called out for the enchanters, astrologers, and diviners to be brought in, and he said to these wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this inscription and tells me its interpretation will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around his neck, and he will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.” / So all the king’s wise men came in, but they could not read the inscription or interpret it for him. Micah 3:7 Then the seers will be ashamed and the diviners will be disgraced. They will all cover their mouths because there is no answer from God.” Treasury of Scripture But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: used. Acts 13:6 And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus: Acts 16:16-18 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: … Acts 19:18-20 And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds… giving. Acts 5:36 For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. John 7:18 He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. 2 Thessalonians 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. Jump to Previous Amazed Amazing Arts Astonishing Beforetime Bewitched Boasted Cause City Claiming er Formerly Great Human Magic Making Nation Past Practice Practising Pretending Samaria Samaritans Simon Somebody Someone Sorcery Surprise Time Used Using Wonder-WorkerJump to Next Amazed Amazing Arts Astonishing Beforetime Bewitched Boasted Cause City Claiming er Formerly Great Human Magic Making Nation Past Practice Practising Pretending Samaria Samaritans Simon Somebody Someone Sorcery Surprise Time Used Using Wonder-WorkerActs 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. Prior to that time This phrase sets the context for the events that follow, indicating a period before the arrival of Philip in Samaria. It suggests a time when the influence of Simon the sorcerer was unchallenged. The phrase implies a transition from the old ways to the new message of the Gospel brought by Philip. a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and astounded the people of Samaria He claimed to be someone great Persons / Places / Events 1. Simon the SorcererA man who practiced sorcery in Samaria and claimed to be someone great. His actions and claims had a significant impact on the people of the city. 2. Samaria A region in the ancient Near East, significant in the New Testament for its mixed population of Jews and Gentiles. The city of Samaria was a central location for the events described in Acts 8. 3. The People of Samaria The inhabitants of the city who were amazed by Simon's sorcery and were influenced by his claims of greatness. Teaching Points Discernment in Spiritual MattersBelievers must exercise discernment when encountering claims of spiritual power. Not all who perform wonders are from God, as seen in Simon's sorcery. The Danger of Pride and Self-Exaltation Simon's claim to be "someone great" serves as a warning against pride and the desire for self-exaltation. True greatness in the Kingdom of God is marked by humility and service. The True Source of Power The account of Simon contrasts human attempts at power with the true power of the Holy Spirit. Believers are reminded that spiritual power comes from God alone and cannot be bought or manipulated. Repentance and Transformation Simon's later interaction with Peter highlights the need for genuine repentance and transformation. The Gospel calls for a change of heart, not just external acknowledgment.(9) But there was a certain man, called Simon.--The man who is thus brought before us in a brief episode, occupies a prominent place in the history and the legends of the Apostolic Church. For the present it will be convenient to deal only with the materials which St. Luke gives us, reserving a fuller account for the close of the narrative. Nothing is told us here as to his earlier history, prior to his arrival in Samaria. The name indicates Jewish or Samaritan origin. He appears as the type of a class but too common at the time, that of Jews trading on the mysterious prestige of their race and the credulity of the heathen, claiming supernatural power exercised through charms and incantations. Such afterwards was Elymas at Cyprus (Acts 13:6); such were the vagabond Jews exorcists at Ephesus (Acts 19:13); such was a namesake, Simon of Cyprus (unless, indeed, we have a re-appearance of the same man), who also claimed to be a magician, and who pandered to the vices of Felix, the Procurator of Judaea, by persuading Drusilla (Jos. Ant. xx. 7, ? 2, see Note on Acts 24:24) to leave her first husband and to marry him. The life of such a man, like that of the Cagliostro fraternity in all ages, was a series of strange adventures, and startling as the statements as to his previous life may seem (see Note on Acts 8:24), they are not in themselves incredible. Apollonius of Tyana is, perhaps, the supreme representative of the charlatanism of the period. Used sorcery.--Literally, was practising magic. On the history of the Greek word magos and our "magic," as derived from it, see Note on Matthew 2:1. Our "sorcerer" comes, through the French sorcier, from the Latin sortitor, a caster of lots (sortes) for the purposes of divination. Later legends enter fully into the various forms of sorcery of which Simon made use. (See below.) . . . Verse 9. - Simon by name for called Simon, A.V.; the city for the same city, A.V.; amazed for bewitched, A.V. (here and in ver. 13). Amazed. In Luke 24:22 the same word (ἐξίστημι) is rendered "made us astonished" in the A.V.; and in Acts 2:7, 12, and elsewhere, in an intransitive sense, "were amazed." It has also the meaning of "being out of one's mind," or "beside one's self" (Mark 3:21; 2 Corinthians 5:13), but never that of "bewitching" or "being bewitched." As regards Simon, commonly surnamed Magus, from his magic arts, it is doubtful whether he is the same Simon as is mentioned by Josephus ('Ant. Jud.,'20. 7:2) as being employed by Felix the Procurator of Judaea, in the reign of Claudius (Acts 23:25), to bewitch Drusfila into forsaking her husband, King Azizus, and marrying him, which she did (Acts 24:24). The doubt arises from Josephus stating that Simon to be a Cypriot (Κύπριον γένος), whereas Justin Martyr says of Simon Magus that he was ἀπὸ κώμης λεγομένης Γίττων, a native of Gitton, or Githon, a village of Samaria. It has been thought that Gitton may be a mistake of Justin's for Citium, in Cyprus (Farrar's 'Life of St. Paul,' vol. 1. pp. 260, 352; Alford, etc.). The after history of Simon Magus is full of fable. He is spoken of by Irenaeus and other early writers as the inventor or founder of heresy. (For a list of authorities concerning Simon, see Farrar's 'Life of St. Paul,' vol. 1. p. 260, note; Alford, 1:6; 'Bible Dictionary; 'and a good article in 'Dict. of Biog. and Mythol.')Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Prior to that time,προϋπῆρχεν (proupērchen) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 4391: To have been already, have been previously. From pro and huparcho; to exist before, i.e. to be or do something previously. a τις (tis) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object. man Ἀνὴρ (Anēr) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 435: A male human being; a man, husband. A primary word; a man. named ὀνόματι (onomati) Noun - Dative Neuter Singular Strong's 3686: Name, character, fame, reputation. From a presumed derivative of the base of ginosko; a 'name'. Simon Σίμων (Simōn) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 4613: Simon. Of Hebrew origin; Simon, the name of nine Israelites. had practiced sorcery μαγεύων (mageuōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3096: To practice sorcery or magic. From magos; to practice magic. in ἐν (en) Preposition Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. the τῇ (tē) Article - Dative 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. city πόλει (polei) Noun - Dative Feminine Singular Strong's 4172: A city, the inhabitants of a city. Probably from the same as polemos, or perhaps from polus; a town. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. amazed ἐξιστάνων (existanōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 1839: From ek and histemi; to put out of wits, i.e. Astound, or become astounded, insane. the τὸ (to) Article - Accusative Neuter Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. people ἔθνος (ethnos) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular Strong's 1484: Probably from etho; a race, i.e. A tribe; specially, a foreign one. of Samaria. Σαμαρείας (Samareias) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular Strong's 4540: Of Hebrew origin; Samaria, a city and region of Palestine. He claimed λέγων (legōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. to be εἶναί (einai) Verb - Present Infinitive Active Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. someone τινα (tina) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object. great, μέγαν (megan) Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 3173: Large, great, in the widest sense. Links Acts 8:9 NIVActs 8:9 NLT Acts 8:9 ESV Acts 8:9 NASB Acts 8:9 KJV Acts 8:9 BibleApps.com Acts 8:9 Biblia Paralela Acts 8:9 Chinese Bible Acts 8:9 French Bible Acts 8:9 Catholic Bible NT Apostles: Acts 8:9 But there was a certain man Simon (Acts of the Apostles Ac) |
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