Act 8:4-25 | ESV | STEP | Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word .

Acts 8:4-25

Philip Proclaims Christ in Samaria

4 Now ^athose who were scattered went about preaching the word. 5 ^bPhilip went down to the city ^{▼▼Some manuscripts a city} of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. 6 ^dAnd the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him ^eand saw the signs that he did. 7 For ^funclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So ^gthere was much joy in that city.

Simon the Magician Believes

9 But there was a man named Simon, ^hwho had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, ⁱsaying that he himself was somebody great. 10 They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, ^j“This man is the power of God that is called ^kGreat.” 11 And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had ^lamazed them with his magic. 12 But when ^mthey believed Philip as he preached good news ⁿabout the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, ^othey were baptized, both men and women. 13 Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And ^pseeing signs and ^qgreat miracles ^{▼▼Greek works of power} performed, ^she was amazed.

14 Now when ^tthe apostles at Jerusalem heard that ^uSamaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, 15 who came down and prayed for them ^vthat they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 for ^whe had not yet ^xfallen on any of them, but ^ythey had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then ^zthey laid their hands on them and ^aathey received the Holy Spirit. 18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 But Peter said to him, ^ab“May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God ^acwith money! 21 You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for ^adyour heart is not right before God. 22 Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, ^aeif possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are in ^afthe gall ^{▼▼That is, a bitter fluid secreted by the liver; bile} of bitterness and in ^ahthe bond of iniquity.” 24 And Simon answered, ^ai“Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”

25 Now when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, ^ajpreaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.