Acts Chapter 8: 1-40
King James Version (KJV)
Alternate with Word Pictures and Reiterations (AWPR)
Translator's comments or notes regarding passage will appear in green
1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time
there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and
they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria,
except the apostles. (KJV)
1) Saul then, was thinking well together in
approving - consenting - and taking pleasure
to the murder and taking away of the dead body of him
[Stephen] (for burial).
Then, that one there day, it came into being (that there was)
a great hostile pursuing - chasing (down) persecution
upon the Church in Jerusalem;
and all were dispersed and scattered
(like seed that is thrown about)
down upon the regions of Judea and Samaria
over and above / except (for) the Apostles.
(AWPR)
2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made
great lamentation over him. (KJV)
2) Then devout GOD fearing (mature) men (of importance)
received, obtained, and together brought Stephen,
and made - produced - caused a great wailing - lamentation
over him.
(AWPR)
3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into
every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. (KJV)
3) Then Saul destroyed - ravaged - made into a vandalized waste
the Church,
entering down in of its house
[That is, entering anywhere that was deemed
a "Christian Sanctuary." This cover's Solomon's
Porch, the Upper Room at the southeast
Temple Corner, any synagogue used exclusively
by Christians
-- by example, in 70 A.D. at the Roman conquest, Jerusalem
had 500 various non-Christian Jewish synagogues
when it was demolished by war with the Romans,
and needed only a size as that for 10 adult men and their
rabbi to establish a synagogue or sanctuary house--
and any private home used as a Church meeting place
for believers in Yeshua / Jesus.]
violently drawing
[by general implication, the subject is first bound and tied
and then pulled along against their will]
or dragging
[implies beating into semi-consciousness or unconsciousness
and then dragging the legs and feet along the ground, or taking
up the legs and dragging the body along the ground as if it were
a despised corpse to be disposed of]
both men and women he delivered and gave over into prison.
(AWPR)
4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where
preaching the word. (KJV)
4) Those indeed - truly thereupon being dispersed
[like seed that is thrown about]
came and passed through
[the various towns and provinces along their forced journeys of flight]
evangelizing - preaching the Gospel - proclaiming the Good News
of the Intelligent Word.
(AWPR)
5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached
Christ unto them. (KJV)
5) Then Philip, descending down (to a lower region)
[that is, coming down from Jerusalem]
into a city of Samaria,
publicly announced - proclaimed - preached and taught
to them the Christ - the Messiah - the Anointed One.
(AWPR)
6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things
which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. (KJV)
6) And the crowds - throngs - multitudes
gave heed and paid attention up to and alongside with
that being intelligently spoken under / by
Philip,
(and they did so) with one unified unanimous mind and
passion in the intent hearing - careful listening (of) them,
and (in the) beholding with eyesight the miracles - seeing the
many miraculous signs
which he was doing - causing - bringing about
(AWPR)
7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of
many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were
lame, were healed. (KJV)
7) because of the (ones) having - holding - possessing
unclean spirits with a great voice crying aloud
(as if in great terror or pain)
came forth out.
Then, many having been enfeebled or paralyzed
and lame / maimed
were (miraculously) healed - cured.
(AWPR)
8 And there was great joy in that city. (KJV)
8) And there came into being
great joy - great rejoicing with gladness
in that there one city.
(AWPR)
9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which
beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria,
giving out that himself was some great one:
(KJV)
9) Then a certain man, by name Simon,
who existed from beforetime in the city,
practicing magic - conjuring sorcery
causing a state of standing out
(as though making them beside themselves and
out of their minds) / amazing - astonishing
the ethnic nation of Samaria,
laying down definite words saying himself to be a certain
great one:
(AWPR)
10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the
greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. (KJV)
10) To whom all gave heed and attention
up to and alongside with, from small to great, saying,
'This one, he is the power of the great GOD.'
(AWPR)
11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he
had bewitched them with sorceries. (KJV)
11) Then they were giving heed to him
through a sufficiently long time
with the practicing of magic - conjuring of sorcery
(with which he) had amazed them
(to the point of making them beside themselves
or out of their minds).
(AWPR)
12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things
concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were
baptized, both men and women. (KJV)
12) Then, when they believed upon - trusted upon Philip
evangelizing - preaching / proclaiming the Gospel
around about concerning the Kingdom of GOD
and the Name of Jesus Christ - Messhiach Yeshua,
they were immersed - submerged (completely) -
baptized (in water), both men and women.
(AWPR)
13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was
baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and
signs which were done. (KJV)
13) Then Simon himself also trusted upon - believed upon:
and being immersed - submerged (completely) - baptized
(in water) was steadfastly enduring and remaining
up alongside next to Philip,
and beholding intently
(while gazing with interest - attention
and wondering at the manifest miraculous)
power
and miraculous signs (having a spiritual purpose)
occurring - happening,
he was standing out
(as though beside himself in amazement, and
as out of his mind in astonishment).
(AWPR)
14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that
Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: (KJV)
14) Then hearing intently - paying attention and listening to
the Apostles in Jerusalem because he received and readily
accepted the intelligent word of GOD in Samaria,
they sent away forth Peter and John up to and
alongside with them.
(AWPR)
15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they
might receive the Holy Ghost: (KJV)
15) Anyone who descended down
[from Jerusalem to Samaria]
prayed aloud up alongside with
aroundabout - concerning them
so as in what manner they might
take - hold - seize - receive (the) Holy Spirit.
(AWPR)
16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they
were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
(KJV)
16) Because He was not yet upon,
having thrown Himself and fallen upon,
certainly not one of them:
then only alone they who existed as were
being immersed - submerged (completely) - baptized
(in water)
into the Name of the LORD Jesus - YHVeH Yeshua.
(AWPR)
17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the
Holy Ghost. (KJV)
17) Then they put - lay - set - placed
upon the hands upon them,
and they took - held - seized - received
(the) Holy Spirit.
(AWPR)
18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the
apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, (KJV)
18) Then Simon beholding intently
(while gazing with interest - attention and wonder)
that through the placing and laying upon of the hands
of the Apostles
is given - bestowed of their own good will and accord
the Holy Spirit,
he brought and offered money up alongside next to them,
(AWPR)
19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay
hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. (KJV)
19) Laying down definite words, saying,
'Give - Bestow of your own good will and accord
I also this
right - permission - power of authority (to do or not do)
in order that to whosoever I
lay - set - place upon the hands
he may take - hold - seize - receive
(the) Holy Spirit.'
(AWPR)
20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee,
because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. (KJV)
20) Then Peter said up alongside with him,
'The silver of you, with you,
might be into a full loss - a full destruction / perdition,
because you supposed that according to Law or Custom
to get - acquire - purchase for yourself
the free gift of GOD through money.
(AWPR)
21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy
heart is not right in the sight of God.
(KJV)
21) There is certainly not to you
a share - a portion - a part - a (casting of) lot(s) (chance)
in this intelligent word (on this matter):
because (the) heart of you is certainly not straight
[not right and true]
in the face of - in the presence of - before GOD.
(AWPR)
22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if
perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. (KJV)
22) Repent - Change your mind therefore
from this wickedness of the mind - evil thinking
of you, and petition - beseech GOD
for what you lack - for what you have need of,
if perhaps then you will be
(let go / set free of the power and possessiveness, and)
forgiven the thought of the heart of you.
(AWPR)
23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness,
and in the bond of iniquity. (KJV)
23) Because into the bile / gall of (angry) bitterness and
a tendon - ligament of /
[like a joint tendon, attached to - dedicating yourself to ]
a bond of
unrighteousness - (doing) injustice - (doing) wrong
I perceive you being.'
(AWPR)
24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for
me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me. (KJV)
24) Then Simon said,
'You petition - beseech over me,
up alongside with the LORD
in what manner so as what you have expressly spoken,
(that) not one [of what you say]
may come upon me.'
(AWPR)
25 And they, when they had testified and preached the word
of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of
the Samaritans. (KJV)
25) They indeed - truly thereupon having repeatedly borne witness
and having spoken at random
the intelligent word - speech - discourse of the LORD,
underturned about - returned into Jerusalem,
having evangelized - having preached the Gospel
to many outlying villages and hamlets
of the Samaritans.
(AWPR)
26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying,
Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto
Gaza, which is desert. (KJV)
26) Then an Angel of (the) LORD spoke at random
up alongside with Philip,
laying down definite words, saying,
'Rise and stand again - Stand forth
and pass and go through - and walk and pass through
down at mid-day / at noon
upon the road - highway
descending down from Jerusalem into Gaza.'
This is desolate wilderness - desert waste(land).
(AWPR)
27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an
eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the
charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, (KJV)
27) And rising up - standing again - standing forth,
he walked and passed through.
And behold, look and see: he saw an Ethiopian man,
a eunuch (a bed chamber keeper)
possessing (the) authority of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians,
who was over all the Treasury of her,
who had come forth publicly into Jerusalem
to pay homage and worship.
(AWPR)
28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the
prophet. (KJV)
28) And (he) was underturning about - returning.
And sitting down upon the chariot of him,
he read accurately [aloud] the prophet Isaiah.
(AWPR)
29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join
thyself to this chariot. (KJV)
29) Then said the Spirit to Philip,
'Come up alongside next to and accompany - cleave
to this chariot.'
(AWPR)
30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the
prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? (KJV)
30) Then running up alongside next to,
Philip intently listened and heard from him
accurately reading [aloud] the prophet Isaiah,
and said,
'You do (not) therefore know then what you are
reading?'
(AWPR)
31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me?
And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. (KJV)
31) Then he said,
'For how - For in what manner or way
should I be able - capable
unless perhaps someone shall
lead the way - guide - teach me?
And he called Philip to the side of (him),
to come up and sit down with him.
(AWPR)
32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was
led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so
opened he not his mouth: (KJV)
32) Then the content - passage contained of the Scripture
which he was accurately reading [aloud] was this:
'Just so as a sheep walking before / (on) ahead,
He was brought and led upon (His sacrificial) slaughter;
and just as a lamb (for sacrifice) in opposition
before its shearing is without voice / mute - dumb,
so He certainly not opens His mouth.'
(AWPR)
33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who
shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. (KJV)
33) In the humiliation - abasement - bringing low of Him,
the (act and the ability of) Judgment was taken and removed
away (with violence);
then the generation - the genealogical circle of time of Him,
who will narrate - relate fully (of to its end)?
Because the life of Him is taken and removed away
(with violence) from the Earth.'
(AWPR)
34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of
whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? (KJV)
34) Then the eunuch, answering discreetly to philip said,
'I beseech you - I ask you,
around about whom the prophet definitively says this?
Around about himself or
around about another different someone?'
(AWPR)
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same
scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
(KJV)
35) Then Philip opening again the mouth of him,
and beginning - starting from this Scripture,
evangelized - preached the Gospel of Jesus - Yeshua
to him.
(AWPR)
36 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? (KJV)
36) Then as they were going and passing through down the
road - highway, they came upon some running rain waters.
[Likely a flowing rain runoff wadi stream or temporary small river flow]
Asks - Inquires the eunuch,
'Behold, look and see! Running rain water.
What stunts - hinders - prevents me to be
baptized - immersed in (running) water?'
(AWPR)
37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart,
thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son
of God. (KJV)
37) Then said Philip,
'If you trustingly believe from the whole heart,
it is to be from out of this
(as possible, lawful, right to do).'
Then discerningly, he [the eunuch] said,
'I trustingly believe the Son of GOD to be
Jesus Christ - Yeshua (the) Messiah.'
(AWPR)
38 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. (KJV)
38) And he [the eunuch] gave the motion of command
(for) the chariot to stand as set in place,
and each of (the) two went down in the running rain water,
both Philip and the eunuch,
and he baptized - immersed him (completely).
(AWPR)
39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit
of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on
his way rejoicing. (KJV)
39) Then, when they [both] ascended up - came up
out of the running rain water,
(the) Spirit of (the) LORD
snatched away - caught up forcibly - raptured
Philip,
and the eunuch certainly did not see - behold - observe
him any longer - any more,
for he went passing through [continuing down southward on]
the way - road - highway of him rejoicing.
(AWPR)
[Note: In this instance, the snatching away of Philip was to a distance of about 10 miles away almost due west to Azotus, also know as Ashdod, in Gaza (verse 40, next verse). It is a necessary example, as the Two Great Witnesses in the end of days will visit the various nations of the earth by this means of (likely) cherub snatched and flown transport. -- Brianroy ]
40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he
preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea. (KJV)
40) Then Philip was found (and followed) into Azotus [Ashdod].
And going through, he evangelized - he preached the Gospel
to all the cities until his coming into Caesarea.
(AWPR)
Disclaimer: The Alternate Word Pictures with Reiterations (AWPR) translation, translation mine, should be used as a Bible Study Aid only, and it is recommended that a direct literal translation or the King James Bible be used for regular and ecclesiastical purposes, and that the AWPR be used in association only as a Bible study aid so as to help the reader / user in their Bible Studying to clarify context and Scriptural Intent, and to get the full context and understanding into the English from out of the ancient Greek in which this New Testament passage was first written. Thanks. -- Brianroy
