Acts 8:11

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Acts 8:11 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

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

King James Version KJV

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

American Standard Version ASV

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

Bible in Basic English BBE

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

Free Bible Version FBV

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

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

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

Young's Literal Translation YLT

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

World English Bible WEB

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

Noah Webster Bible WBS

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

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

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

Translation for Translators T4T

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

Plain English Version PEV

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.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Acts 8:11

BAB

Word Study

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Acts 8:11 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK προσειχον δε αυτω δια το ικανω χρονω ταις μαγειαις εξεστακεναι αυτους

προσειχον prosechō G4337 to watch out Verb-IAI-3P

δε de G1161 then Conj

αυτω autos G846 it/s/he Pron-DSM

δια dia G1223 through/because of Prep

το ho G3588 the/this/who Art-ASN

ικανω hikanos G2425 sufficient Adj-DSM

χρονω chronos G5550 time Noun-DSM

ταις ho G3588 the/this/who Art-DPF

μαγειαις mageia G3095 magic Noun-DPF

εξεστακεναι existēmi G1839 to amaze Verb-RAN

αυτους autos G846 it/s/he Pron-APM

Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — Acts 8:11

προσειχον prosechō G4337 "to watch out" Verb-IAI-3P

To pay attention to something, like when we focus on God's word in Acts 8:6 and Hebrews 2:1, or to be cautious about something

Definition: προσ-έχω [in LXX for קָשַׁב hi., שָׁמַר ni., etc. ;] __1. to turn to, bring to (frequently ναῦν, expressed or understood, to bring to port, land; Hdt., al.). __2. τ. νοῦν, before dative, to turn one's mind to, attend to; in Xen. and later writers with νοῦν omitted (El., § 53, 1; 81, 1): Act.8:6 16:14, Heb.2:1, 2Pe.1:19; in sense of caring or providing for, Act.20:28; π. ἑαυτῷ, to give heed to oneself (M, Pr., 157; cf. Gen.24:6, Exo.10:28, al.): Luk.17:3 21:34, Act.5:35; id. before ἀπό (M, Pr., 102; B1., § 34, 11; 40, 3; see: βλέπω), Luk.12:1; (without dative) Mat.7:15 10:17 16:6, 11-12, Luk.20:46 (cf. Sir.6:13, al.); before μή, with inf. (M, Pr., 193; Bl., § 69, 4), Mat.6:1. __3. to attach or devote oneself to: with dative of person(s), Act.8:10-11, 1Ti.4:1; with dative of thing(s), 1Ti.1:4 3:8 4:13 6:3 T (-ερχ-, WH, R), Tit.1:14, Heb.7:13.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 24 NT verses. KJV: (give) attend(-ance, -ance at, -ance to, unto), beware, be given to, give (take) heed (to unto); have regard See also: 1 Timothy 1:4; Hebrews 7:13; Hebrews 2:1.

δε de G1161 "then" Conj

This is a conjunction that means and, but, or then, used to connect ideas like in Matthew 1:2 and 2 Corinthians 6:15.

Definition: δέ (before vowels δ᾽; on the general neglect of the elision in NT, see WH, App., 146; Tdf., Pr., 96), post-positive conjunctive particle; __1. copulative, but, in the next place, and, now (Abbott, JG, 104): Mat.1:2ff., 2Co.6:15, 16, 2Pe.1:5-7; in repetition for emphasis, Rom.3:21, 22, 9:30, 1Co.2:6, Gal.2:2, Php.2:8; in transition to something new, Mat.1:18, 2:19, Luk.13:1, Jhn.7:14, Act.6:1, Rom.8:28, 1Co.7:1 8:1, al.; in explanatory parenthesis or addition, Jhn.3:19, Rom.5:8, 1Co.1:12, Eph.2:4, 5:32, al.; ὡς δέ, Jhn.2:9; καὶ . . . δέ, but also, Mat.10:18, Luk.1:76, Jhn.6:51, Rom.11:23, al.; καὶ ἐὰν δέ, yea even if, Jhn.8:16. __2. Adversative, but, on the other hand, prop., answering to a foregoing μέν (which see), and distinguishing a word or clause from one preceding (in NT most frequently without μέν; Bl., §77, 12): ἐὰν δέ, Mat.6:14, 23, al.; ἐγὼ (σὺ, etc.) δέ, Mat.5:22, 6:6, Mrk.8:29, al.; ὁ δέ, αὐτὸς δέ, Mrk.1:45, Luk.4:40, al.; after a negation, Mat.6:19, 20, Rom.3:4, 1Th.5:21, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2552 NT verses. KJV: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Peter 1:7.

αυτω autos G846 "it/s/he" Pron-DSM

This pronoun refers to a person or thing, like 'he', 'she', or 'it'. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a person or thing, like in John 2:25 where it says 'he himself knew'.

Definition: αὐτός, -ή, -ό, determinative pron., in late Gk. much more frequently than in cl. (WM, 178f.; Jannaris, HGG, §1399). __1. Emphatic (so always in nom. exc. when preceded by the art., see infr., iii); __(1) self (ipse), expressing opposition, distinction, exclusion, etc., αὐ. ἐκχυθήσεται, Luk.5:37; αὐ. ἐγινώσκεν, Jhn.2:25; αὐ.ὑμεῖς, Jhn.3:28; καὶ αὐ. ἐγώ, Rom.15:14; αὐ. Ἰησοῦς, Jhn.2:24; αὐ. καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, Mrk.2:25; ὑμεῖς αὐ., Mrk.6:31; esp. (as freq in cl.) αὐ. ὁ, Mat.3:4, Mrk.6:17, Jhn.16:27, 1Th.3:11, al.; in late Gk., sometimes weakened, ἐν αὐτῇ τ. ὥρᾳ, in that hour, Luk.10:21 (M, Pr., 91; MM, see word); __(2) emphatic, he, she, it (M, Pr., 86; Bl., §48, 1, 2, 7), Mat.1:21, 12:50, Luk.6:35, al.; pointing to some one as master (cl.), Mat.8:24, Mrk.4:38, al.; αὐ., καὶ αὐ. = οὗτος, ὁ δε (BL, §48, 1), Mat.14:2, Mrk.14:15, 44, Luk.1:22, 2:28, al. __2. In oblique cases (cl.), for the simple pron. of 3rd of person(s), he, she, it, Mat.7:9, 10:12, 26:44, al.; with ptcp. in genitive absol., Mat.9:18, Mrk.13:1, al. (for irreg. constructions, V. Bl., §74, 5); pleonastically after the relative (cf. Heb. אֲשֶׁר לוֹ; WM, 184ff.; Bl., §50, 4; MM, see word), Mrk.7:25, Rev.3:8, 7:2, al.; in constr. ad sensum, without proper subject expressly indicated, Mat.4:23, Act.8:5, 2Co.2:13, al.; genitive αὐτοῦ = ἐκείνου, Rom.11:11, 1Th.2:19, Tit.3:5, Heb.2:4. __3. ὁ, ἡ, τὸ αὐ., the same: Heb.1:12, 13:8; τὸ αὐ., ποιεῖν, Mat.5:46, 47, al.; φρονεῖν, Rom.12:16, 15:5, Php.2:2, al.; τὰ αὐ., Act.15:27, Rom.2:1, al.; κατὰ τὸ (τὰ) αὐ. (MM, see word), Act.14:1, Luk.6:23, al.; ἐπὶ τὸ αὐ., together (MM, see word), Mat.22:34, Act.1:15, al.; ἓν κ. τὸ αὐ., 1Co.11:5, 12:11; with dative (cl.), 1Co.11:5; with a noun, λόγος, Mrk.14:39; μέτρος, Php.1:30; πνεῦμα, 1Co.12:4. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 3773 NT verses. KJV: her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 John 3:10; 1 Peter 1:3.

δια dia G1223 "through/because of" Prep

Means through or because of, like in Matthew 2:12 where the wise men left by another route. It shows cause or occasion, as in 1 Corinthians 3:15, being saved through fire. It can also describe a state or condition, like in Romans.

Definition: διά (before a vowel δ᾽, exc. Rom.8:10, 2Co.5:7, and in (Proper name)s; Tdf., Pr., 94), prep. with genitive, accusative, as in cl.; __1. with genitive, through; __(i) of Place, after verbs of motion or action: Mat.2:12 12:43, Mrk.2:23, Luk.4:30, Jhn.4:4, 2Co.11:33, al.; σώζεσθαι (διας-) δ. πυρός, ὕδατος, 1Co.3:15, 1Pe.3:20; βλέπειν δ. ἐσόπτρου, 1Co.13:12; metaphorically, of a state or condition: Rom.14:20, 2Co.2:4 5:7, 10; δ. γράμματος, ἀκροβυστίας (Lft., Notes, 263, 279), Rom.2:27 4:11; δι ̓ὑπομενῆς, Rom.8:25. __(ii) Of Time; __(a) during which: Mat.26:61, Mrk.14:58, Luk.5:5; δ. παντὸς τοῦ ζῆν, Heb.2:15; δ. παντός (διαπαντός in Mrk.5:5, Luk.24:53), always, continually, Mat.18:10, Act.2:25" (LXX) 10:2 24:16, Rom.11:10" (LXX), 2Th.3:16, Heb.9:6 13:15. __(b) within which: Act.1:3; δ. νυκτός, Act.5:19 16:9 17:10 23:31; __(with) after which (Field, Notes, 20; Abbott, JG, 255f.): Mrk.2:1, Act.24:17, Gal.2:1. __(iii) Of the Means or Instrument; __(1) of the efficient cause (regarded also as the instrument): of God, Rom.11:36, 1Co.1:9, Gal.4:7, Heb.2:10 7:21; of Christ, Rom.1:8 5:1, 17, 1Co.15:21, 1Pe.4:11, al.; δ. τ. ὑμῶν δεήσεως, Rom.1:12, 2Co.1:4, Gal.4:23, al.; __(2) of the agent, instrument or means; __(a) with genitive of person(s), Mat.11:2, Luk.1:70, Jhn.1:17, Act.1:16, Rom.2:16, 1Co.1:21, Eph.1:5, Heb.2:14, Rev.1:1, al.; ὑπὸ τ. κυρίου δ. τ. προφήτου (δ. τ. κυρίου, 1Th.4:2 (M, Th., in l.); Lft., Rev., 121f.), Mat.1:22 2:15, Rom.1:2; δ. ἐπιστολῆς ὡς δ. ἡμῶν (Field, Notes, 202), 2Th.2:2; δ. Σ. (NTD, 22), 1Pe.5:12; __(b) with genitive of thing(s) (where often the simple dative is used in cl.; Jannaris, Gr., 375), Jhn.11:4, Act.5:12; δ. τ. πίστεως, Rom.3:30; δ. λόγου θεοῦ, 1Pe.1:23; δ. παραβολῆς, Luk.8:4; δουλεύειν δ. τ. ἀγάπης, Gal.5:13; δ. ἐπαγγελίας, Gal.3:18, __2. C. accusative; __(i) rarely, as with genitive, through (Hom), δ. μέσον Σαμαρίας (ICC, in l.; Bl., §42, 1; Robertson, Gr., 581), Luk.17:11. __(ii) by reason of, because of, for the sake of; __(a) with accusative of person(s) (M, Pr., 105), Mrk.2:27, Jhn.6:57 11:42, Rom.8:20; __(b) with accusative of thing(s), δ. φθόνον, Mat.27:18, Mrk.15:10; δ. φόβον, Jhn.7:13 20:19; δ. ἀγάπην, Eph.2:4; δ. τοῦτο, freq., for this cause, therefore, Mat.6:25, Mrk.6:14, Luk.11:49, Jhn.6:65, al.; id. before ὅτι, Jhn.5:16 10:17, al.; δ. τί, why, Mat.9:11, 14 Mrk.2:18, Jhn.7:45, al.; δ. τό, with inf., Mrk.5:4, Luk.9:7, Jas.4:2. __3. In composition, __(1) through, as in διαβαίνω; __(2) of separation, asunder, as in διασπάω; __(3) of distribution, abroad, as in διαγγέλλω; __(4) of transition, as διαλλάσσω; __(5) of "perfective" action (M, Pr., 112f., 115f.), as διαφύγω, διακαθαρίζω. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 603 NT verses. KJV: after, always, among, at, to avoid, because of (that), briefly, by, for (cause) … fore, from, in, by occasion of, of, by reason of, for sake, that, thereby, therefore, X though, through(-out), to, wherefore, with (-in) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 2 Corinthians 8:8; 1 Peter 1:3.

το ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-ASN

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

ικανω hikanos G2425 "sufficient" Adj-DSM

In the Bible, this word means being sufficient or competent, like having enough skills or resources to get the job done. Jesus used it to describe John the Baptist in Matthew 3:11. It can also refer to having a strong character.

Definition: ἱκανός, -ή, -όν (ἵκω, ἱκάνω, to reach, attain), [in LXX for דַּי, etc. ;] __1. of persons, suffcient, competent, fit: with inf., Mat.3:11, Mrk.1:7, Luk.3:16, 1Co.15:9, 2Co.3:6, 2Ti.2:2; before πρός, 2Co.2:16; before ἵνα, Mat.8:8, Luk.7:6. __2. Of things, in number, quantity or size, sufficient, enough, much, many: absol., ἱκανοί, Luk.7:11 (WH, R, omit) Luk.8:32, Act.12:12 14:21 19:19, 1Co.11:30; ὄχλος ἱ., Mrk.10:46, Luk.7:12, Act.11:24, 26 19:26; κλαυθμός, Act.20:37; ἀργύρια, Mat.28:12; λαμπάδες, Act.20:8; λόγοι, Luk.23:9; φῶς, Act.22:6; ἱ, ἐστιν (cf. לָכֶם רַב, LXX ἱκανούσθω, Deu.3:26), Luk.22:38; τὸ ἱ. ποιεῖν (Lat. satisfacere; cf. Jer.48:30), Mrk.15:15; τὸ ἱ. λαμβάνειν (Lat. satis accipere; see M, Pro.20:1-30 f.), Act.17:9; of time, ἡμέραι ἱ., Act.9:23, 43 18:18 27:7; ἱ. χρόνος, Luk.8:27, Act.8:11 14:3 27:9; pl., Luk.20:9; ἐκ χρόνων ἱ., Luk.23:8; ἀπὸ ἱ. ἐτῶν, Rom.15:23 (WH); ἐφ ̓ ἱκανόν (cf. 2Ma.8:25), Act.20:11.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 41 NT verses. KJV: able, + content, enough, good, great, large, long (while), many, meet, much, security, sore, sufficient, worthy See also: 1 Corinthians 11:30; Acts 20:11; Matthew 28:12.

χρονω chronos G5550 "time" Noun-DSM

Time refers to a period or interval, as seen in Matthew 2:7 and Acts 3:21. It can be long or short, and is often used to describe a season or space of time. The Bible uses this word to talk about God's timing and plan.

Definition: χρόνος, -ου, ὁ [in LXX chiefly for יוֹם, also for עֵת, etc. ;] time (a space of time, whether long or short; cf. Lft., Notes, 70): Mat.2:7, Mrk.9:21, Luk.1:57, Act.3:21 7:17, 23 13:18 17:30 27:9, Heb.11:32, 1Pe.1:17 4:3, Rev.10:6; στιγμὴ χρόνου, Luk.4:5; πλήρωμα τοῦ χ., Gal.4:4; ποιεῖν χ., Act.15:33 18:23; βιῶσαι, 1Pe.4:2; διδόναι, Rev.2:21; pl., χ. καὶ (ἢ) καιροί (Lft., l.with), Act.1:7, 1Th.5:1; ἐπ᾽ ἐσχάτου τῶν χ. (χρόνου), 1Pe.1:20, Ju 18; with prep., ἄχρι, Act.3:21; διὰ τὸν χ., Heb.5:12; ἐν χ., Act.1:6, 21; ἐπὶ (πλείονα) χ., Luk.18:4, Act.18:20; ἐφ᾽ ὅσον χ., Rom.7:1, 1Co.7:39, Gal.4:1; κατὰ τὸν χ., Mat.2:16; μετὰ τολὺν (τοσοῦτον) χ., Mat.25:19, Heb.4:7; πρὸ χ. αἰωςίων, 2Ti.1:9, Tit.1:2, instr. dative of extension of time (see M, Pr., 75, 148; Deiss., LAE, 206), Luk.8:27, 29 Jhn.14:9, Act.8:11, Rom.16:25; accusative, of duration of time, Mrk.2:19, Luk.20:9, Jhn.5:6 7:33 12:35 14:9, Act.14:3, 28 19:22 20:18, 1Co.16:7, Rev.6:11.† SYN.: see: καιρός (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 53 NT verses. KJV: + years old, season, space, (X often-)time(-s), (a) while See also: 1 Corinthians 7:39; Galatians 4:4; 1 Peter 1:17.

ταις ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-DPF

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

μαγειαις mageia G3095 "magic" Noun-DPF

Magic refers to the practice of sorcery or supernatural powers. In Acts 8:11, it describes the magic arts practiced by Simon the Sorcerer. The Bible warns against practicing magic and sorcery.

Definition: μαγία (Rec. -εία), -ας, ἡ (μάγος), __1. the lore of the Magians (Plat.). __2. magic: pl., magic arts, sorceries: Act.8:11.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1 NT verses. KJV: sorcery See also: Acts 8:11.

εξεστακεναι existēmi G1839 "to amaze" Verb-RAN

This word means to amaze or astound someone, like in Luke 24:22. It's about being shocked or confused. It's used to describe a strong reaction.

Definition: ἐξ-ίστημι (also in Hellenistic -ιστάνω, Act 8:9), [in LXX for H2730, etc. (29 words in all) ;], __1. causal in Pres., impf., fut., 1 aor., to put out of its place; metaphorically, ἐ. τινά φρενῶν (Eur.), to drive one out of his senses, hence, absol., to confound, amaze: with accusative of person(s), Luk.24:22, Act.8:9, 11. __2. Intr. in pass. and mid., also in 2 aor., pf., plpf. act., before ἐκ or with genitive, to stand aside from, retire from; esp. τ. φρενῶν, to lose one's senses (Eur.), hence, absol.; __(a) to be beside oneself, be mad: Mrk.3:21, 2Co.5:13 (opposite to σωφρονεῖν); __(b) to be amazed, confounded: Mat.12:23, Mrk.2:12 Mrk.5:42 Mrk.6:51, Luk.2:47 Luk.8:56, Act.2:7, 12 Act.8:13 Act.9:21 Act.10:45 Act.12:16 (Cremer, 309).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 17 NT verses. KJV: amaze, be (make) astonished, be beside self (selves), bewitch, wonder See also: 2 Corinthians 5:13; Acts 12:16; Matthew 12:23.

αυτους autos G846 "it/s/he" Pron-APM

This pronoun refers to a person or thing, like 'he', 'she', or 'it'. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a person or thing, like in John 2:25 where it says 'he himself knew'.

Study Notes — Acts 8:11

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Context
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Acts 8:11 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Acts 8:11
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Acts 8:11
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Acts 8:11
Trapp's Commentary on Acts 8:11
Ellicott's Commentary on Acts 8:11
Cambridge Bible on Acts 8:11
Whedon's Commentary on Acts 8:11
Sermons on Acts 8:11

Context — Simon the Sorcerer

9Prior 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.”

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

12But when they believed Philip as he preached the gospel of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13Even Simon himself believed and was baptized. He followed Philip closely and was astounded by the great signs and miracles he observed.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Acts 8:9	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,
2	Galatians 3:1	O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified.
3	Isaiah 44:25	who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who confounds the wise and turns their knowledge into nonsense,
4	Isaiah 8:19	When men tell you to consult the spirits of the dead and the spiritists who whisper and mutter, shouldn’t a people consult their God instead? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?
5	Isaiah 47:9–13	These two things will overtake you in a moment, in a single day: loss of children, and widowhood. They will come upon you in full measure, in spite of your many sorceries and the potency of your spells. You were secure in your wickedness; you said, ‘No one sees me.’ Your wisdom and knowledge led you astray; you told yourself, ‘I am, and there is none besides me.’ But disaster will come upon you; you will not know how to charm it away. A calamity will befall you that you will be unable to ward off. Devastation will happen to you suddenly and unexpectedly. 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.

Acts 8:11 Summary

[This verse tells us that the people of Samaria were amazed by Simon's sorcery and paid close attention to him. But as we see in Acts 8:12, they eventually turned to the truth of the Gospel when they heard Philip's message. This reminds us that true power and wisdom come from God, not from human tricks or deception (as seen in Isaiah 55:8-9). We should always be careful to seek the truth and follow God's Word, rather than being swayed by false or misleading teachings (as warned against in 2 Corinthians 11:3).]

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of sorcery was Simon practicing in Acts 8:11?

The Bible does not specify the exact nature of Simon's sorcery, but it is clear that he was using his powers to deceive and manipulate the people of Samaria, as warned against in Deuteronomy 18:10-12 and Revelation 21:8.

Why were the people of Samaria so easily deceived by Simon's sorcery?

The people of Samaria were likely drawn to Simon's power and promises, and they lacked a strong foundation in the truth of God's Word, as emphasized in Psalm 119:105 and 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

Is it possible for a Christian to be deceived by sorcery or false teachings?

Yes, it is possible for a Christian to be deceived, which is why the Bible warns us to be on guard against false teachings and to test everything against the truth of Scripture, as seen in 1 John 4:1-6 and 2 Peter 3:17-18.

How can we protect ourselves from being deceived by false teachings or sorcery?

We can protect ourselves by studying God's Word, praying for discernment, and being part of a community of believers who can support and encourage us, as encouraged in Acts 2:42 and Hebrews 10:24-25.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways that I may be seeking power or validation in my own life, and how can I instead seek to glorify God?
How can I be more discerning when it comes to the teachings and influences I allow into my life?
What are some ways that I can share the truth of the Gospel with those around me, just as Philip did in Acts 8:12?
How can I cultivate a deeper desire to know and follow God's Word, rather than being swayed by false or deceptive teachings?

Gill's Exposition on Acts 8:11

To him they had regard,.... Which is repeated from the foregoing verse, for the sake of what follows: because that of a long time he had bewitched them with sorceries; or because he had, it may be

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Acts 8:11

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

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Acts 8:11

They had regard; they acquiesced in what he said, and yielded obedience unto it; not only attending to his words with their ears, but with their hearts: so true is that which our Saviour says, , If any man come in his own name, him will ye receive. These Samaritans shall rise up in judgment against most men, who do not thus regard what was said by Christ, and such as he hath sent. Bewitched them; made them as out of their wits; they were not themselves, and could not act their reason. With sorceries; such wonders as by the permission of God, and Satan’ s power, he did.

Trapp's Commentary on Acts 8:11

11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. Ver. 11. He had bewitched them with sorcery] It happened in the year of grace 434, that a certain seducer, who called himself Moses, persuaded the Jews in Crete that he was sent from heaven with commission to repossess them of the Promised Land. Him therefore they gladly followed (a great sort of them) with their wives and children to the seaside; where he bade them to cast themselves after him from a steep rock into the sea. This they did, and there perished many of them; and many more had done, but that (by a providence) sundry were caught up by Christian fishermen there present at that time, and carried safe to land. These, after they were recovered, carried notice to their fellows, how fearfully they had been deluded by the devil, who had impersonated Moses; and various of them, moved by their late calamity, became Christians. In the year 759, certain Persian magicians persuaded themselves and many others, that if they sold all they had and cast themselves naked from the town wall, they should fly up to heaven immediately; perierunt hac insania permulti, saith the historian. Many perished by believing this senseless lie. (Funccius in Chronol.)

Ellicott's Commentary on Acts 8:11

(11) And to him they had regard.—The Greek word is the same as in the “gave heed” of the previous verse. The “long time” during which the evil fascination had been exercised, reckoning backwards from the date which we have now reached (A.D. 34), might carry us to a period prior to our Lord’s visit to Sychar, in A.D. 30. It is scarcely probable, however, that it was in active operation at that time. And it is likely enough that, finding the people still influenced by the impressions which that visit had left, he wrought on their excited feelings for his own purpose.

Cambridge Bible on Acts 8:11

11. And to him they had regard] Read, And they gave heed to him. This is an instance of that fondness for change of expression which is so marked a feature of the A. V. The word in the original is exactly the same as in the preceding verse.of long time he had bewitched [amazed] them with sorceries] His birthplace was in Samaria, and it is most probable that he had lived there a great part of his life. Tradition (Clement. Hom. ii. 22) makes him to have been educated in Alexandria, but he is also said to have been a pupil of Dositheus a Gnostic teacher in Samaria, so that he had probably been but a short time away from his native country.

Whedon's Commentary on Acts 8:11

PART SECOND.THE CHURCH IN FROM JEWS TO , Acts 8:5 to Acts 12:25.

Sermons on Acts 8:11

	Sermon	Description
	(Basics) 65. Lying by Zac Poonen	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the widespread sin of lying and its destructive impact on relationships. He refers to John 8:44, where Jesus tells the Jews who believed in H
	Witchcraft - Public Enemy #1 - Part 1 by Derek Prince	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the negative influence of a mother-in-law on a family and how it can hinder a man from fulfilling his responsibilities at home and in the work
	Releasing the Power of the Holy Ghost by David Wilkerson	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the power and guidance of the Holy Ghost. He tells the story of Philip, a man of God who is led by the Holy Spirit to preach Jesus to an Eth
	The Living Christ by W.A. Criswell	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the presence and power of the Lord Jesus Christ in our lives. He references biblical stories such as the three Hebrew children in the fiery
	(Grace Baptist) Finding God's Will by Bill McLeod	In this sermon, the speaker shares his personal experience of being called to preach and the fear he initially felt. Despite his reluctance, he eventually accepted the call and pre
	Book of Acts Series - Part 10 \| One Thing Missing by Jim Cymbala	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes how persecution drove the early Christians to spread the word of God. Despite facing trouble and disappointment, God used these challenges to
	Lordship Salvation, Free Grace & the Sovereignty of God by Rolfe Barnard	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of recognizing Jesus Christ as Lord. He quotes 1 Corinthians 12:3, which states that no one can declare Jesus as Lord without