Acts 8:11

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

They paid close attention to him because he had astounded them for a long time with his sorcery.

American Standard Version (1901)

And they gave heed to him, because that of long time he had amazed them with his sorceries.

Bible in Basic English

And they gave attention to him, because for a long time his wonder-working powers had kept them under his control.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And they were attentive to him, because, for a long time, he had bewitched them with his magical practices.

Free Bible Version

They were impressed by him because he had amazed them with his magic for so long.

Geneva Bible 1599

And they gaue heed vnto him, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.

King James (Authorized) Version

And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.

Plain English Version

Simon did that magic for a long time, and the people there were always surprised by the things he did, so they listened to him.

Translation for Translators

They continued to listen to him carefully, because for a long time he had astonished them by practicing sorcery.

Unlocked Literal Bible

They listened to him, because he had astonished them for a long time with his sorceries.

Noah Webster Bible

And to him they had regard, because that for a long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.

World English Bible

They listened to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his sorceries.

Young's Literal Translation

and they were giving heed to him, because of his having for a long time amazed them with deeds of magic.

Context

Simon the Sorcerer

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.”¹¹They paid close attention to him because he had astounded them for a long time with his sorcery.

Sermons

(Basics) 65. Lying

Zac Poonen

2.6K

Summary

This verse describes Simon the Sorcerer, a man who had amazed the people of Samaria with his magic for a long time. When Philip preached the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, even Simon believed and was baptized. However, his belief was not genuine as he continued to be amazed by Philip's signs and miracles, seeking to obtain the power of the Holy Spirit through money. This passage serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of seeking spiritual gifts for personal gain rather than genuine faith and relationship with God.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

But when they believed Philip,.... Though they had been carried away so long with this deceiver, and had been so much attached unto him, and held in admiration of him; yet when Philip came and preached Christ unto them, such was the power that attended his ministry, and such the efficacy of divine grace that was exerted, that they not only gave heed unto him, but believed what he said: preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God; concerning the kingdom of the Messiah, the Gospel dispensation, the doctrines and ordinances of the Gospel; and concerning the kingdom of grace, which is spiritual and internal, and which lies not in external things, as meat and drink, but in righteousness, peace, and joy; and concerning the kingdom of glory, the meetness for it, which lies in regenerating grace, and the right unto it, which is the righteousness of Christ: and the name of Jesus Christ; concerning the person of Christ, as the Son of God: and the offices of Christ, as prophet, priest, and King; and the virtue of his blood, righteousness, and sacrifice, for pardon, justification, and atonement: the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Ethiopic versions read this clause, "in the name of Jesus Christ": and connect it with the following words, they were baptized, both men and women: that is, when, they heard Philip preach the Gospel, and believed in Christ, the sum and substance of it, and made a profession of faith, they were of each sex, both men and women, baptized by immersion, in the name of Jesus Christ.