Simon Magus and Peter's Rebuke
Acts 8:9-25
Acts.8.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Ανηρ: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- ονοματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- Σιμων: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- προυπηρχεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- πολει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- μαγευων: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- εξιστανων: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- εθνος: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- Σαμαρειας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- λεγων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,m,sg
- ειναι: VERB,pres,act,inf
- τινα: PRON,acc,sg,m
- εαυτον: PRON,acc,sg,masc,reflex
- μεγαν: ADJ,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 8:18-24 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same episode: Simon's true motives are exposed when he offers money to buy the Holy Spirit (the origin of the term 'simony'), directly linked to his earlier claims and magical activity.
- Acts 13:6-12 (thematic): Elymas (Bar-Jesus) is another magician who opposes the apostles and the gospel; both figures are magicians confronted by apostolic authority and divine judgment (Elymas struck with blindness).
- Deuteronomy 18:10-12 (thematic): The Mosaic law's denunciation of divination, sorcery, and related practices provides the Old Testament background that frames Simon's career as religiously condemned sorcery.
- 2 Peter 2:3 (thematic): Warning against false teachers who 'make merchandise' of people by feigned words echoes Simon's boastful deception and his later attempt to buy spiritual power, highlighting greed and falsehood in religious figures.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now there was a man named Simon who had formerly practiced sorcery in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great.
- Now there was a man named Simon who had previously practiced sorcery in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great.
Acts.8.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- προσειχον: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- παντες: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- απο: PREP
- μικρου: ADJ,gen,sg,m
- εως: CONJ
- μεγαλου: ADJ,gen,sg,m
- λεγοντες·Ουτος: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,pl,m
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- Δυναμις: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- καλουμενη: VERB,pres,mid/pass,part,nom,sg,f
- Μεγαλη: ADJ,nom,sg,f
Parallels
- Acts 8:9 (verbal): Introduces Simon the magician (Simon bar-Jonah/Simon Magus), the same figure; provides immediate verbal and narrative context for v.10's claim about 'the power of God.'
- Acts 8:11 (structural): Explains why the people regarded Simon as possessing great power—his long practice of sorcery and the marvels that amazed the Samaritans parallels their declaration in v.10.
- Acts 8:13 (thematic): Philip's signs and the Samaritans' response (believing and being baptized) contrast with Simon's claim to power and the populace's attraction to spectacular signs and miracles.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:4 (thematic): The 'man of lawlessness' exalts himself and claims divine authority—a parallel theme of a human figure being attributed or claiming divine power and status.
- Matthew 24:24 (thematic): Jesus warns that false christs and false prophets will perform signs and wonders to deceive many—parallels the phenomenon of a charismatic figure (Simon) whose displays lead people to ascribe extraordinary, quasi-divine power to him.
Alternative generated candidates
- To him they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, "This man is the power of God that is called Great."
- To him they all paid attention, from the least to the greatest, saying, "This man is the power of God called Great."
Acts.8.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- προσειχον: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- δε: CONJ
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- δια: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- ικανω: ADJ,dat,sg,m
- χρονω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- ταις: ART,dat,pl,f
- μαγειαις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- εξεστακεναι: VERB,perf,act,inf
- αυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
Parallels
- Acts 8:9 (structural): Immediate narrative context introducing Simon (ὀνόματι Σίμων) as a man known for practicing magic in the city—sets up why people listened to him.
- Acts 8:10 (thematic): Describes the Samaritan crowd's reaction—they attributed Simon’s feats to 'the great power of God,' echoing the amazement and public attention caused by his magic.
- Acts 8:18-24 (structural): Later episode in the same scene where Peter rebukes Simon for trying to buy the Spirit; connects Simon’s earlier amazement-producing magic with the moral and theological critique of his motives.
- Acts 13:6-12 (thematic): Parallel story of a magician (Bar-Jesus/Elymas) opposing the gospel and exercising deceitful signs—both narratives portray sorcerers who stand against God’s messengers and receive divine judgment.
- Deuteronomy 18:10-12 (thematic): Old Testament prohibition and denunciation of divination, sorcery, and related practices—provides the wider biblical backdrop condemning the kind of magic that amazed Simon’s listeners.
Alternative generated candidates
- And they attended to him because for a long time he had astonished them with his magic arts.
- And they paid heed to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic arts; and he had been called "the Great One."
Acts.8.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οτε: CONJ
- δε: CONJ
- επιστευσαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- Φιλιππω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- ευαγγελιζομενω: PART,pres,mp,dat,sg,m
- περι: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- βασιλειας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- ονοματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εβαπτιζοντο: VERB,impf,mid,ind,3,pl
- ανδρες: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- τε: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- γυναικες: NOUN,nom,pl,f
Parallels
- Acts 2:41 (verbal): Those who received Peter’s word were baptized — closely parallels belief in the gospel followed by baptism (same sequence and language).
- Acts 10:47-48 (verbal): Peter orders that Gentile believers be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ after receiving the Holy Spirit, echoing belief in Jesus followed by baptism.
- Acts 16:14-15 (thematic): Lydia believed the gospel preached by Paul and was baptized (with her household), another instance of faith in Christ resulting in baptism.
- Acts 16:31-33 (thematic): The Philippian jailer believes in the Lord and is immediately baptized (with his household), paralleling immediate baptism upon faith.
- Mark 16:16 (thematic): Jesus’ summary linking belief and baptism (“whoever believes and is baptized will be saved”) parallels Acts’ association of faith in Jesus and subsequent baptism.
Alternative generated candidates
- But when they believed Philip, who proclaimed the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized—both men and women.
- But when they believed Philip, who proclaimed the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.
Acts.8.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- Σιμων: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- αυτος: PRON,nom,sg,3,m
- επιστευσεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- βαπτισθεις: VERB,aor,pas,ptc,nom,sg,m
- ην: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- προσκαρτερων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- Φιλιππω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- θεωρων: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,m,sg
- τε: CONJ
- σημεια: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- και: CONJ
- δυναμεις: NOUN,nom,pl,f
- μεγαλας: ADJ,acc,pl,f
- γινομενας: VERB,pres,mid,part,acc,pl,f
- εξιστατο: VERB,impf,mid,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Acts 8:9-11 (structural): Same narrative unit describing Simon's prior activity as a sorcerer who amazed the people—provides background for his interest in Philip and the signs.
- Acts 8:12 (verbal): Parallel conversion formula in the Samaritan mission—people 'believed and were baptized,' framing Simon's stated belief and baptism in v.13.
- Acts 8:18-19 (thematic): Contrasts Simon's amazement and association with Philip (v.13) with his later attempt to buy the gift of the Spirit, highlighting ambiguous motives behind his profession of faith.
- Acts 2:43 (verbal): Uses similar language of signs and wonders done through the apostles—connects the amazement at miraculous activity in the early church to the reaction described in Acts 8:13.
Alternative generated candidates
- Even Simon himself believed; and after being baptized he continued with Philip, marveling at the signs and great miracles he saw.
- Even Simon himself believed; and after being baptized he continued with Philip. Observing the signs and great miracles, he was amazed.
Acts.8.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Ακουσαντες: VERB,aor,act,ptc,nom,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- Ιεροσολυμοις: NOUN,dat,pl,n
- αποστολοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- οτι: CONJ
- δεδεκται: VERB,perf,mid/pass,ind,3,sg
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- Σαμαρεια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- λογον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- απεστειλαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- προς: PREP
- αυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- Πετρον: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- Ιωαννην: NOUN,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 8:12 (structural): Immediate narrative parallel: explains what the Jerusalem apostles heard—that Samaritans had believed Philip’s message and been baptized.
- Acts 1:8 (thematic): Mission-scope parallel: Jesus’ commission outlines witness in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth—context for the apostles’ interest in Samaritan reception.
- Acts 11:1-3 (verbal): Verbal and situational parallel: the church in Judea later ‘heard that the Gentiles had received the word of God,’ echoing the wording and the issue of non‑Jerusalem groups receiving the gospel.
- John 4:39 (thematic): Samaritan reception motif: many Samaritans believed on Jesus because of the woman’s testimony—another instance of Samaria receiving the word and turning to faith.
- Matthew 10:5-6 (thematic): Contrastive parallel: Jesus’ earlier instruction to avoid Samaritan towns (send to Israel’s lost sheep) highlights how the mission boundaries change by Acts when Samaritans receive the gospel.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them.
- Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them.
Acts.8.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οιτινες: PRO,rel,nom,pl,m
- καταβαντες: VERB,aor,act,ptcp,nom,pl,m
- προσηυξαντο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,pl
- περι: PREP
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- οπως: CONJ
- λαβωσιν: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,pl
- πνευμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- αγιον·: ADJ,acc,sg,n
Parallels
- Acts 8:17 (verbal): Same episode: the apostles laid hands on the Samaritan believers and they received the Holy Spirit—direct narrative continuation of the prayer for them to receive the Spirit.
- Acts 19:6 (thematic): Paul laid hands on disciples in Ephesus and they received the Holy Spirit, paralleling the practice of laying on of hands/prayer producing reception of the Spirit.
- Acts 2:38 (thematic): Peter’s promise that repentant, baptized believers will 'receive the gift of the Holy Spirit'—theological parallel about Spirit-bestowal accompanying conversion and initiation.
- John 20:22 (allusion): Jesus breathes on the disciples and tells them to 'receive the Holy Spirit,' an earlier Johannine account of bestowal of the Spirit by a commissioning act.
- Acts 9:17 (verbal): Ananias lays hands on Saul and he receives the Holy Spirit—another narrative instance where laying on of hands/prayer effects reception of the Spirit.
Alternative generated candidates
- Who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.
- They came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.
Acts.8.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ουδεπω: ADV
- γαρ: PART
- ην: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- επ᾽ουδενι: PREP
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- επιπεπτωκος: PART,perf,act,nom,m,sg
- μονον: ADV
- δε: CONJ
- βεβαπτισμενοι: PART,perf,pass,nom,m,pl
- υπηρχον: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- εις: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- ονομα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 2:38-39 (thematic): Links baptism and the promise/receiving of the Holy Spirit—Peter's promise that those who repent and are baptized will receive the gift of the Spirit, paralleling the association/contrast between water baptism and Spirit in Acts 8:16.
- Acts 8:17 (structural): Immediate continuation of 8:16: the apostles laid hands on the Samaritans and they received the Holy Spirit. Clarifies the prior statement that the Spirit had not yet fallen on them.
- Acts 10:44-48 (thematic): Cornelius' household receives the Holy Spirit while Peter is speaking, before or alongside water baptism—contrasts and complements Acts 8:16's concern about the order/occurrence of Spirit vs. baptism.
- Acts 19:2-6 (verbal): Paul encounters disciples who had only received John's baptism and had not heard of the Holy Spirit; after baptizing them in Jesus' name and laying on hands they receive the Spirit—closely parallels the situation and language of 8:16–17.
- Galatians 3:2-5 (thematic): Paul argues that the Spirit was received by hearing/faith rather than by works of the law—relates to the theological question in Acts about how and when believers receive the Spirit in relation to baptism.
Alternative generated candidates
- For as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
- For he had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Acts.8.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- τοτε: ADV
- επετιθεσαν: VERB,imperfect,act,ind,3,pl
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- χειρας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- επ᾽αυτους: PREP+PRON,acc,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- ελαμβανον: VERB,imperfect,act,ind,3,pl
- πνευμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- αγιον: ADJ,acc,sg,neut
Parallels
- Acts 19:6 (verbal): Paul laid hands on believers and the Holy Spirit came on them—close verbal and narrative parallel to the laying on of hands resulting in reception of the Spirit.
- John 20:22 (quotation): Jesus breathes on the disciples and says “Receive the Holy Spirit,” an explicit giving/receiving formula echoed in Acts’ accounts of Spirit-bestowal.
- Acts 2:4 (structural): At Pentecost the followers received the Holy Spirit (they were filled and began to speak in tongues); provides the foundational outpouring that Acts 8’s localized bestowal participates in.
- 1 Timothy 4:14 (verbal): Paul reminds Timothy that a gift was given through the laying on of hands by the elders—links the ritual act of laying on hands with reception of spiritual gift(s), as in Acts 8.
- Hebrews 6:2 (thematic): Lists “the laying on of hands” among basic teachings—shows early Christian association between this practice and transmission of spiritual authority or blessing (including the Spirit).
Alternative generated candidates
- Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
- Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Acts.8.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ιδων: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Σιμων: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- οτι: CONJ
- δια: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- επιθεσεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- χειρων: NOUN,gen,pl,f
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- αποστολων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- διδοται: VERB,pres,mid/pass,ind,3,sg
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- πνευμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- προσηνεγκεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- χρηματα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
Parallels
- Acts 8:17 (verbal): Immediate prior verse describing that the apostles laid hands on new believers and they received the Holy Spirit — the direct action Simon observed.
- Acts 8:20-23 (structural): Peter's sharp rebuke of Simon for trying to buy the gift of God and call to repentance; the narrative consequence and moral judgment on Simon's attempt.
- Acts 19:6 (verbal): Paul lays hands on believers and the Holy Spirit comes upon them (with speaking in tongues/prophesying) — a parallel demonstration of the laying on of hands effecting Spirit-reception.
- 1 Timothy 6:10 (thematic): Warning that the love of money leads to many evils; thematically parallels Simon's attempt to obtain spiritual power for money (greed as motive).
- Matthew 26:14-16 (thematic): Judas Iscariot's betrayal for money presents a comparable instance of selling out sacred trust/authority for financial gain.
Alternative generated candidates
- When Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money,
- When Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the apostles' laying on of hands, he offered them money,
Acts.8.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- λεγων·Δοτε: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,m,sg+VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- καμοι: CONJ+PRON,dat,sg,1
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- εξουσιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ταυτην: PRON,acc,sg,f
- ινα: CONJ
- ω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- εαν: CONJ
- επιθω: VERB,pres,act,subj,1,sg
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- χειρας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- λαμβανη: VERB,pres,act,subj,3,sg
- πνευμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- αγιον: ADJ,acc,sg,neut
Parallels
- Acts 8:17 (verbal): Immediate narrative parallel: Peter and John laid hands on new Samaritan believers and they received the Holy Spirit — the very event Simon seeks to buy.
- Acts 19:6 (verbal): Paul lays hands on Ephesian disciples and they receive the Holy Spirit, another explicit example of impartation by laying on of hands.
- 1 Timothy 4:14 (thematic): Paul warns Timothy not to neglect the gift given through the laying on of the elders' hands — connects the laying on of hands with transmission of spiritual gifting mentioned in Acts 8:19.
- Hebrews 6:2 (thematic): Lists 'instruction about the laying on of hands' as a basic element of Christian doctrine, situating Acts' practice within early Christian teaching on imposition of hands.
- Acts 8:20 (structural): Peter's immediate rebuke to Simon — 'May your money perish with you' — provides the narrative and ethical counterpoint to Simon's attempt to purchase the power to impart the Holy Spirit.
Alternative generated candidates
- saying, "Give me also this power, so that whoever I lay hands on may receive the Holy Spirit."
- saying, "Give me also this power, so that on whomever I lay my hands he may receive the Holy Spirit."
Acts.8.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Πετρος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- προς: PREP
- αυτον·Το: PRON,acc,sg,m
- αργυριον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- συν: PREP
- σοι: PRON,dat,sg,2
- ειη: VERB,pres,act,opt,3,sg
- εις: PREP
- απωλειαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- οτι: CONJ
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- δωρεαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ενομισας: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,sg
- δια: PREP
- χρηματων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- κτασθαι: VERB,pres,mid,inf
Parallels
- Acts 5:1-11 (structural): Both episodes involve misuse of money in relation to the church and a divine rebuke: Ananias and Sapphira are judged for deceit about money/gift, as Simon is rebuked for trying to buy the Spirit.
- 1 Timothy 6:9-10 (thematic): Warns about the dangers and corrupters of wealth ('love of money is a root of all kinds of evil'), resonating with Peter’s condemnation of attempting to obtain God’s gift with money.
- Matthew 6:24 (thematic): Jesus’ teaching that one cannot serve God and mammon parallels the principle that spiritual authority and gifts cannot be purchased or subordinated to money.
- James 4:3 (thematic): Explains that wrong motives (asking to spend on passions) prevent reception from God, similar to Peter’s point that Simon’s monetary motive makes his approach presumptuous and doomed.
- Proverbs 11:4 (thematic): Declares that riches profit not at the day of wrath, echoing the idea that silver cannot secure God’s favor or salvation — 'your silver perish with you.'
Alternative generated candidates
- But Peter said to him, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!
- But Peter said to him, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought the gift of God could be obtained with money!
Acts.8.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- σοι: PRON,dat,sg,2
- μερις: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- ουδε: CONJ,neg
- κληρος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- λογω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- τουτω: DEM,dat,sg,m
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- γαρ: PART
- καρδια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ευθεια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- εναντι: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 16:7 (thematic): Emphasizes that God judges the heart rather than outward appearance—parallels Peter’s charge that Simon’s heart is not right before God.
- Proverbs 21:2 (verbal): “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart” echoes Acts 8:21’s concern with the state of the heart before God.
- Jeremiah 17:10 (quotation): “I the LORD search the heart and test the mind” directly connects to the idea that God discerns inner motives, supporting Peter’s verdict about Simon’s heart.
- Psalm 51:10 (thematic): A plea for a clean/upright heart before God—contrasts Simon’s unrighteous heart and underlines the need for inward renewal.
- Amos 5:21-24 (thematic): God’s rejection of empty/insincere worship parallels Peter’s rebuke: outward action (seeking to buy the Spirit) is unacceptable when the heart is not right.
Alternative generated candidates
- You have neither part nor share in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.
- You have no part or share in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.
Acts.8.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- μετανοησον: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,sg
- ουν: CONJ
- απο: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- κακιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- ταυτης: DEM,gen,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- δεηθητι: VERB,aor,mid,imp,2,sg
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- αρα: PART
- αφεθησεται: VERB,fut,pass,ind,3,sg
- σοι: PRON,dat,sg,2
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- επινοια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- καρδιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- σου·: PRON,gen,sg,2
Parallels
- Acts 3:19 (verbal): Both passages command repentance and link it directly to forgiveness (Acts 3:19: 'Repent therefore, and turn... that your sins may be blotted out').
- 1 John 1:9 (thematic): Promises God's forgiveness and cleansing when sins are confessed—parallels the assurance that repentance/prayer can obtain forgiveness.
- Proverbs 28:13 (thematic): Conveys the principle that confessing and forsaking sin leads to mercy—similar to the call to repent from wickedness to receive pardon.
- Psalm 66:18 (allusion): Links inward disposition and the efficacy of prayer (if one cherishes sin, God will not hear), underscoring why Simon must repent and pray so his heart's intent might be forgiven.
Alternative generated candidates
- Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you.
- Repent therefore of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.
Acts.8.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εις: PREP
- γαρ: PART
- χολην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- πικριας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- συνδεσμον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- αδικιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- ορω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- σε: PRON,acc,sg,2
- οντα: PART,pres,act,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Psalm 69:21 (verbal): Uses the image of 'gall' (bitter substance) given to the sufferer—echoes Acts' 'gall of bitterness' imagery.
- Hebrews 12:15 (verbal): Speaks of a 'root of bitterness' (Greek πικρίας); shares the same bitterness metaphor and Greek term as Acts 8:23.
- Romans 6:16-18 (thematic): Discusses bondage to sin and being 'slaves' of wrongdoing—parallels Acts' idea of being bound in the 'bond of iniquity.'
- 2 Timothy 2:25-26 (thematic): Describes people ensnared and taken captive to do another's will and needing to escape the snare—similar language of being bound/ensnared by iniquity.
Alternative generated candidates
- For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity."
- For I perceive that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of wickedness."
Acts.8.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αποκριθεις: VERB,aor,pass,ptc,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Σιμων: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ειπεν·Δεηθητε: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg+VERB,aor,pass,subj,2,pl
- υμεις: PRON,nom,pl,2
- υπερ: PREP
- εμου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- προς: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- κυριον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- οπως: CONJ
- μηδεν: PRON,acc,sg,n
- επελθη: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,sg
- επ᾽εμε: PREP,acc
- ων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- ειρηκατε: VERB,perf,act,ind,2,pl
Parallels
- Romans 15:30 (verbal): Paul appeals to others to 'strive together with me in your prayers' for his deliverance — a direct verbal parallel in requesting others' prayers to avert danger or difficulty.
- 1 John 5:16 (thematic): Instruction to pray for a brother who has committed a sin so that it might not lead to death resonates with Simon's plea that prayer might prevent the negative consequences he fears.
- James 5:16 (structural): Linking confession of sin with mutual prayer for healing/deliverance parallels Simon's confession and immediate request that the apostles pray for him to avoid the threatened judgment.
- Luke 22:32 (allusion): Jesus' statement 'I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail' parallels the motif of intercessory prayer aimed at averting spiritual failure or harm, similar to Simon's appeal.
- Acts 12:5 (thematic): The church's fervent prayers for Peter's release illustrate the early Christian practice of communal intercession to secure deliverance, paralleling Simon's request for prayer to prevent adverse outcomes.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then Simon answered, "Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things you have said may come upon me."
- Simon answered, "Pray to the Lord for me that none of the things you have spoken may come upon me."
Acts.8.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- μεν: PART
- ουν: CONJ
- διαμαρτυραμενοι: VERB,pres,mid,ptc,nom,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- λαλησαντες: VERB,aor,act,ptc,nom,pl,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- λογον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- υπεστρεφον: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- εις: PREP
- Ιεροσολυμα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- πολλας: ADJ,acc,pl,f
- τε: CONJ
- κωμας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- Σαμαριτων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- ευηγγελιζοντο: VERB,impf,mid/pass,ind,3,pl
Parallels
- Acts 8:5 (verbal): Philip goes to a city of Samaria and proclaims the Christ—direct narrative precursor to the wider Samaritan response described in 8:25.
- Acts 8:4 (verbal): Those who were scattered 'preached the word'—same phrasing and theme of testimony/evangelism following persecution.
- Acts 8:14-17 (thematic): Peter and John come to Samaria to endorse and complete the Samaritan mission (pray and lay on hands), continuing the Samaritan conversion theme begun in chapter 8.
- Acts 1:8 (thematic): 'You will be my witnesses...in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth'—provides the overarching mission framework that explains evangelism in Jerusalem and Samaria.
- Acts 11:19-21 (thematic): The scattered believers preach the gospel in new regions (Phoenicia, Cyprus, Antioch) and 'the hand of the Lord was with them'—parallels the pattern of dispersion leading to effective evangelism among new peoples.
Alternative generated candidates
- They, therefore, having testified and spoken the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem; and they were preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages.
- When they had testified and proclaimed the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem and preached the gospel in many Samaritan villages.
Now there was a man named Simon who had formerly practiced sorcery in the city and had amazed the people of Samaria.
They all, from the least to the greatest, paid attention to him, saying, 'This man is that power of God which is called Great.'
For he had astonished them for a long time with his sorceries. But when they believed Philip, who proclaimed the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
Even Simon himself believed; and after being baptized he continued with Philip. Seeing the signs and great miracles, he was amazed. Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John.
Who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.
For the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
When Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money.
'Give me also this power,' he said, 'so that on whomever I lay my hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit.' But Peter said to him, 'May your silver perish with you, because you thought to obtain the gift of God with money!'
You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.
Repent therefore of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord—if perhaps the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.
For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.'
Then Simon answered, 'Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things you have spoken may come upon me.'
When they had testified and proclaimed the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, and they continued to preach the gospel in many Samaritan villages.