God’s Word Translation
Acts 8:36
36As they were going along the road, they came to some water. The official said to Philip, “Look, there’s some water. What can keep me from being baptized?”
Acts 8:36 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
- New International Version (NIV)As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?”
- English Standard Version (ESV)And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, "See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?"
- New King James Version (NKJV)Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?”
Context of Acts 8:36
34The official said to Philip, “I would like to know who the prophet is talking about. Is he talking about himself or someone else?” 35Then Philip spoke. Starting with that passage, Philip told the official the Good News about Jesus. As they were going along the road, they came to some water. The official said to Philip, “Look, there’s some water. What can keep me from being baptized?” 38The official ordered the carriage to stop. He and Philip stepped into the water, and Philip baptized him.
Read all of Acts 8Acts 8:36 word by word
Ὡς δὲ ἐπορεύοντο κατὰ τὴν ὁδόν, ἦλθον ἐπί τι ὕδωρ καί φησιν ὁ εὐνοῦχος· ἰδοὺ ὕδωρ· τί κωλύει με βαπτισθῆναι;Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Andδέde · thenG1161
- asὡςhōs · as/whenG5613
- they wentπορεύωporeuomai · to travelG4198
- onκατάkata · according toG2596
- wayὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- wayὁδόςhodos · roadG3598
- they cameἔρχομαιerchomai · to come/goG2064
- untoἐπίepi · upon/to/againstG1909
- a certainτιςtis · oneG5100
- waterὕδωρhudōr hudatos · waterG5204
- andκαίkai · andG2532
- the eunuchεὐνοῦχοςeunouchos · eunuchG2135
- saidφημίphēmi · to assertG5346
- Seeὁράωhoraō · to see: seeG3708
- whatτίςtis · which?G5101
- doth hinderκωλύωkōluō · to preventG2967
- meἐγώegō · I/weG1473
- to be baptizedβαπτίζωbaptizō · to baptizeG907
Cross-references for Acts 8:36
- Acts 10:47“No one can refuse to baptize these people with water. They have received the Holy Spirit in the same way that we did.”
- Ezekiel 36:25I will sprinkle clean water on you and make you clean instead of unclean. Then I will cleanse you from all your idols.
- John 3:5Jesus answered Nicodemus, “I can guarantee this truth: No one can enter God’s kingdom without being born of water and the Spirit.
- 1 John 5:6This Son of God is Jesus Christ, who came by water and blood. He didn’t come with water only, but with water and with blood. The Spirit is the one who verifies this, because the Spirit is the truth.
Commentaries on Acts 8:36
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 36See, here is water - He was not willing to omit the first opportunity that presented itself of his taking upon himself the profession of the Gospel. By this we may see that Philip had explained the whole of the Christian faith to him, and the way by which believers were brought into the Christian Church.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 36As they went on their way - In their journey. A certain water - The expression used here does not determine whether this was a river, a brook, or a standing pool. And there are no circumstances to determine that. It is well known, however, that there is no large river or very considerable stream in this vicinity. All that is intimated is that there was water enough to perform the rite of baptism. Grotius says they came “to a fountain which was in the…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 8:36
In the dictionaries
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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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