Acts 8:38

Acts 8:38 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
• New International Version (NIV)And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.
• English Standard Version (ESV)And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.
• New King James Version (NKJV)So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.

Context of Acts 8:38

36As they were travelling along the road, they came to a place with some water. The man said to Philip, ‘Look! There is some water here. Please will you baptize me? Is there anything to stop you?’ [ 37Philip said to him, ‘I can baptize you if you really believe in Jesus.’ The man said to Philip, ‘I do believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.’] The officer said to the man who was driving the chariot, ‘Stop the chariot!’ Then he went down with Philip into the water, and Philip baptized him. 39They both came up out of the water again. Immediately the Lord's Holy Spirit took Philip away from that place. The officer did not see Philip again. He continued his journey and he was very happy. 40Philip saw that he was now in Azotus. From there, he visited many towns and he told people the good news about Jesus. He did this as he went all the way to Caesarea.

Acts 8:38 word by word

καὶ ἐκέλευσεν στῆναι τὸ ἅρμα, καὶ κατέβησαν ἀμφότεροι εἰς τὸ ὕδωρ, ὅ τε Φίλιππος καὶ ὁ εὐνοῦχος, καὶ ἐβάπτισεν αὐτόν.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Andκαίkai · andG2532
• he commandedκελεύωkeleuō · to orderG2753
• the chariotἅρμαharma · chariotG716
• to stand stillἵστημιhistēmi · to standG2476
• they went downκαταβαίνωkatabainō · to come/go downG2597
• bothἀμφότεροςamphoteros · bothG297
• intoεἰςeis · towardG1519
• the waterὕδωρhudōr hudatos · waterG5204
• bothτεte · and/bothG5037
• PhilipΦίλιπποςPhilippos · PhilipG5376
• the eunuchεὐνοῦχοςeunouchos · eunuchG2135
• he baptizedβαπτίζωbaptizō · to baptizeG907
• himαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846

Cross-references for Acts 8:38

• John 3:22After this, Jesus and his disciples went to the country places in Judea. Jesus stayed there with his disciples for some time, and they baptized people there.
• John 4:1The Pharisees heard the news that many people were joining Jesus' group of disciples. They heard that Jesus was baptizing more disciples than John was baptizing.

Commentaries on Acts 8:38

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 38And they went down - They alighted from the chariot into the water. While Philip was instructing him, and he professed his faith in Christ, he probably plunged himself under the water, as this was the plan which appears to have been generally followed among the Jews in their baptisms; but the person who had received has confession of faith was he to whom the baptism was attributed, as it was administered by his authority.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 38And they went down both into the water - This passage has been made the subject of much discussion on the subject of baptism. It has been adduced in proof of the necessity of immersion. It is not proposed to enter into that subject here (see the Editors‘ Notes at Matthew 3:6, Matthew 3:16). It may be remarked here that the preposition ̓ eistranslated “into,” does not of necessity mean that they went “into” the water. Its meaning would be as well expressed…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 26-40Verses 26-40 Philip was directed to go to a desert. Sometimes God opens a door of opportunity to his ministers in very unlikely places. We should study to do good to those we come into company with by travelling. We should not be so shy of all strangers as some affect to be. As to those of whom we know nothing else, we know this, that they have souls. It is wisdom for men of business to redeem time for holy duties; to fill up every minute with something…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 26-40Philip obeyed the Holy Spirit and followed the Spirit’s direction. He then took the opportunity to share the message of the gospel with an Ethiopian eunuch (a trusted male official who served a king or queen) on the desert road from Jerusalem to Gaza. This event shows how effective Philip was in explaining and sharing the Christian message. It also shows his strong commitment to bringing the good news to all people, no matter their social position or…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 34-3834-38. And the eunuch answered, I pray thee, &c.--The respect with which he here addresses Philip was prompted by his reverence for one whom he perceived to be his superior in divine things; his own worldly position sinking before this.Read the comment

Topics related to Acts 8:38

• Baptism
• Converts
• Ethiopia
• Gaza
• Philip
• Preaching

In the dictionaries

• Believe
• Bitterness
• Chariot
• Consent
• Devout
• Havock
• Join
• Pray
• Regard
• Separate

Commentaries on Acts 8

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings