Act 8:5-7 | RWP | e4.org | Philip ( Φιλιππος ). The deacon ( ) and evangelist ( ), not the apostle of the same name ( ). To the city of Samaria ( εις την πολιν της Σαμαριας ). Genitive of apposition. Samaria is the name of the city here. This is the first instance cited of the expansion noted in verse . Jesus had an early and fruitful ministry in Samaria ( ), though the twelve were forbidden to go into a Samaritan city during the third tour of Galilee ( ), a temporary prohibition withdrawn before Jesus ascended on high ( ). Proclaimed ( εκηρυσσεν ). Imperfect active, began to preach and kept on at it. Note ευαγγελιζομενο in verse of missionaries of good news (Page) while εκηρυσσεν here presents the preacher as a herald. He is also a teacher ( διδασκαλος ) like Jesus. Luke probably obtained valuable information from Philip and his daughters about these early days when in his home in Caesarea ( ).

‏ Acts 8:5-7

Philip ( Φιλιππος ). The deacon (6:5) and evangelist (21:8), not the apostle of the same name (Mr 3:18).

To the city of Samaria ( εις την πολιν της Σαμαριας ). Genitive of apposition. Samaria is the name of the city here. This is the first instance cited of the expansion noted in verse 4. Jesus had an early and fruitful ministry in Samaria (Joh 4), though the twelve were forbidden to go into a Samaritan city during the third tour of Galilee (Mt 10:5), a temporary prohibition withdrawn before Jesus ascended on high (Ac 1:8).

Proclaimed ( εκηρυσσεν ). Imperfect active, began to preach and kept on at it. Note ευαγγελιζομενο in verse 4 of missionaries of good news (Page) while εκηρυσσεν here presents the preacher as a herald. He is also a teacher ( διδασκαλος ) like Jesus. Luke probably obtained valuable information from Philip and his daughters about these early days when in his home in Caesarea (Ac 21:8).

Gave heed ( προσειχον ). Imperfect active as in verses 10, 11, there with dative of the person ( αυτω ), here with the dative of the thing ( τοις λεγομενοις ). There is an ellipse of νουν (mind). They kept on giving heed or holding the mind on the things said by Philip, spell-bound, in a word.

When they heard ( εν τω ακουειν αυτους ). Favourite Lukan idiom, εν and the locative case of the articlar infinitive with the accusative of general reference "in the hearing as to them."

Which he did ( α εποιε ). Imperfect active again, which he kept on doing from time to time. Philip wrought real miracles which upset the schemes of Simon Magus.

For many ( πολλο γαρ ). So the correct text of the best MSS., but there is an anacoluthon as this nominative has no verb with it. It was "the unclean spirits" that "came out" ( εξηρχοντο, imperfect middle). The margin of the Revised Version has it "came forth," as if they came out of a house, a rather strained translation. The loud outcry is like the demons cast out by Jesus (Mr 3:11; Lu 4:41).

Palsied ( παραλελυμενο, perfect passive participle). Luke's usual word, loosened at the side, with no power over the muscles. Furneaux notes that "the servant was reaping where the Master had sown. Samaria was the mission field white for the harvest (Joh 4:35)." The Samaritans who had been bewitched by Simon are now carried away by Philip.