Click
here to show/hide instructions.
Instructions on how to use the page:
The commentary for the selected verse is is displayed below.
All commentary was produced against the King James, so the same verse from that translation may appear as well. Hovering your mouse over a commentary's scripture reference attempts to show those verses.
Use the browser's back button to return to the previous page.
Or you can also select a feature from the Just Verses menu appearing at the top of the page.
Selected Verse: Acts 8:26 - Strong Concordance
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Ac 8:26 |
Strong Concordance |
And [1161] the angel [32] of the Lord [2962] spake [2980] unto [4314] Philip [5376], saying [3004], Arise [450], and [2532] go [4198] toward [2596] the south [3314] unto [1909] the way [3598] that goeth down [2597] from [575] Jerusalem [2419] unto [1519] Gaza [1048], which [3778] is [2076] desert [2048]. |
| |
King James |
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. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
THE ETHIOPIAN EUNUCH. (Act 8:26-40)
the angel of the Lord--rather, "an angel."
go . . . south, the way that goeth down from Jerusalem to Gaza--There was such a road, across Mount Hebron, which Philip might take without going to Jerusalem (as VON RAUMER'S'S PalÃ&brvbr;stina shows).
which is desert--that is, the way; not Gaza itself, which was the southernmost city of Palestine, in the territory of the ancient Philistines. To go from a city, where his hands had been full of work, so far away on a desert road, could not but be staggering to the faith of Philip, especially as he was kept in ignorance of the object of the journey. But like Paul, he "was not disobedient to the heavenly vision"; and like Abram, "he went out not knowing whither he went" (Act 26:19; Heb 11:8). |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
And the angel of the Lord - The word "angel" is used in the Scriptures in a great variety of significations. See the notes on Mat 1:20. Here it has been supposed by some to mean literally a celestial messenger sent from God; others have supposed that it means a "dream"; others a "vision," etc. The word properly means a "messenger"; and all that it can be shown to signify here is, that the Lord sent a "message" to Philip of this kind. It is most probable, I think, that the passage means that God communicated the message by his Spirit; for in Act 8:29, Act 8:39, it is expressly said that "the Spirit" spake to Philip, etc. Thus, in Act 16:7, the "Spirit" is said to have forbidden Paul to preach in Bithynia; and in Act 8:9, the message on the subject is said to have been conveyed in "a vision." There is no absurdity, however, in supposing that an "angel" literally was employed to communicate this message to Phil See Heb 1:14; Gen 19:1; Gen 22:11; Jdg 6:12.
Spake unto Philip - Compare Mat 2:13.
Arise - See the notes on Luk 15:18.
And go ... - Philip had been employed in Samaria. As God now intended to send the gospel to another place, he gave a special direction to him to go and convey it. It is evident that God designed the "conversion" of this eunuch, and the direction to Philip shows how he accomplishes his designs. It is not by miracle, but by the use of means. It is not by direct power without "truth," but it is by a message suited to the end. The salvation of a single sinner is an object worthy the attention of God. When such a sinner is converted, it is because God forms a plan or "purpose" to do it. when it is done, he inclines his servants to labor; he directs their labors; he leads his ministers; and he prepares the way Act 8:28) for the reception of the truth.
Toward the south - That is, south of Samaria, where Philip was then laboring.
Unto Gaza - Gaza, or Azzah Gen 10:19, was a city of the Philistines, given by Joshua to Judah Jos 15:47; Sa1 6:17. It was one of the five principal cities of the Philistines. It was formerly a large place; was situated on an eminence, and commanded a beautiful prospect. It was in this place that Samson took away the gates of the city, and bore them off, Jdg 16:2-3. It was near Askelon, about 60 miles southwest from Jerusalem.
Which is desert - This may refer either to the "way" or to the "place." The natural construction is the latter. In explanation of this, it is to be observed that there were "two" towns of that name, Old and New Gaza. The prophet Zephaniah Zep 2:4 said that "Gaza" should be "forsaken," that is, destroyed. "This was partly accomplished by Alexander the Great (Josephus, Antiq., book 11, chapter 8, sections 3 and 4; book 13, chapter 13, section 3). Another town was afterward built of the same name, but at some distance from the former, and Old Gaza was abandoned to desolation. Strabo mentions 'Gaza the desert,' and Diodorus Siculus speaks of 'Old Gaza'" (Robinson's Calmet). Some have supposed, however, that Luke refers here to the "road" leading to Gaza, as being desolate and uninhabited. Dr. Robinson (Biblical Res., 2:640) remarks: "There were several ways leading from Jerusalem to Gaza. The most frequented at the present day, although the longest, is the way by Ramleh. Anciently there appear to have been two more direct roads. Both these roads exist at the present day, and the one actually passes through the desert, that is, through a tract of country without villages, inhabited only by nomadic tribes." "In this place, in 1823, the American missionaries, Messrs. Fisk and King, found Gaza, a town built of stone, making a very mean appearance, and confining about five thousand inhabitants" (Hall on the Acts ). |
| The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917] |
angel
(See Scofield) - (Heb 1:4).
desert
Contra, (Act 8:6-8). |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
The south (μεσημβρίαν)
A contracted form of μεσημερία, midday, noon, which is the rendering at Act 22:6, the only other passage where it occurs. Rev. gives at noon in margin.
Desert
Referring to the route. On desert, see on Luk 15:4. There were several roads from Jerusalem to Gaza. One is mentioned by the way of Bethlehem to Hebron, and thence through a region actually called a desert. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| The way which is desert - There were two ways from Jerusalem to Gaza, one desert, the other through a more populous country. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
Arise, and go toward the south - How circumstantially particular are these directions! Every thing is so precisely marked that there is no danger of the apostle missing his way. He is to perform some great duty; but what, he is not informed. The road which he is to take is marked out; but what he is to do in that road, or how far he is to proceed, he is not told! It is God who employs him, and requires of him implicit obedience. If he do his will, according to the present direction, he shall know, by the issue, that God hath sent him on an errand worthy of his wisdom and goodness. We have a similar instance of circumstantial direction from God in Act 9:11 : Arise, go into the street called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one Saul of Tarsus, etc. And another instance, still more particular, in Act 10:5, Act 10:6 : Send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter; he lodgeth with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea side. God never sends any man on a message, without giving him such directions as shall prevent all mistakes and miscarriages, if simply and implicitly followed. This is also strictly true of the doctrines contained in his word: no soul ever missed salvation that simply followed the directions given in the word of God. Those who will refine upon every thing, question the Divine testimony, and dispute with their Maker, cannot be saved. And how many of this stamp are found, even among Christians, professing strict godliness!
Gaza, which is desert - Αὑτη εϚιν ερημος, This it the desert, or this is in the desert. Gaza was a town about two miles and a half from the sea-side; it was the last town which a traveler passed through, when he went from Phoenicia to Egypt, and was at the entrance into a wilderness, according to the account given by Arrian in Exped. Alex. lib. ii. cap. 26, p. 102. [Ed. Gronov.]
That it was the last inhabited town, as a man goes from Phoenicia to Egypt, επι τῃ αρχῃ της Ερημου, on the commencement of the desert. See Bp. Pearce.
Dr. Lightfoot supposes that the word desert is added here, because at that time the ancient Gaza was actually desert, having been destroyed by Alexander, and μενουσα ερημος, remaining desert, as Strabo, lib. xvi. p. 1102, says; and that the angel mentioned this desert Gaza to distinguish it from another city of the same name, in the tribe of Ephraim, not far from the place where Philip now was. On this we may observe that, although Gaza was desolated by Alexander the Great, as were several other cities, yet it was afterwards rebuilt by Gabinius. See Josephus, Ant. lib. xv. cap. 5, sect. 3. And writers of the first century represent it as being flourishing and populous in their times. See Wetstein.
Schoettgen thinks that ερημος, desert, should be referred, not to Gaza, but to ὁδος, the way; and that it signifies a road that was less frequented. If there were two roads to Gaza from Jerusalem, as some have imagined, (see Rosenmuller), the eunuch might have chosen that which was desert, or less frequented, for the sake of privacy in his journeying religious exercises. |
8 By faith [4102] Abraham [11], when he was called [2564] to go out [1831] into [1519] a place [5117] which [3739] he should after [3195] receive [2983] for [1519] an inheritance [2817], obeyed [5219]; and [2532] he went out [1831], not [3361] knowing [1987] whither [4226] he went [2064].
19 Whereupon [3606], O king [935] Agrippa [67], I was [1096] not [3756] disobedient [545] unto the heavenly [3770] vision [3701]:
26 And [1161] the angel [32] of the Lord [2962] spake [2980] unto [4314] Philip [5376], saying [3004], Arise [450], and [2532] go [4198] toward [2596] the south [3314] unto [1909] the way [3598] that goeth down [2597] from [575] Jerusalem [2419] unto [1519] Gaza [1048], which [3778] is [2076] desert [2048].
27 And [2532] he arose [450] and went [4198]: and [2532], behold [2400], a man [435] of Ethiopia [128], an eunuch [2135] of great authority [1413] under Candace [2582] queen [938] of the Ethiopians [128], who [3739] had [2258] the charge of [1909] all [3956] her [846] treasure [1047], and [3739] had come [2064] to [1519] Jerusalem [2419] for to worship [4352],
28 [5037] Was [2258] returning [5290], and [2532] sitting [2521] in [1909] his [846] chariot [716] [2532] read [314] Esaias [2268] the prophet [4396].
29 Then [1161] the Spirit [4151] said [2036] unto Philip [5376], Go near [4334], and [2532] join thyself to [2853] this [5129] chariot [716].
30 And [1161] Philip [5376] ran [4370] thither to him, and heard [191] him [846] read [314] the prophet [4396] Esaias [2268], and [2532] said [2036], Understandest thou [687] [1065] [1097] what [3739] thou readest [314]?
31 And [1161] he said [2036], How [1063] [4459] can I [302] [1410], except [3362] some man [5100] should guide [3594] me [3165]? And [5037] he desired [3870] Philip [5376] that he would come up [305] and sit [2523] with [4862] him [846].
32 [1161] The place [4042] of the scripture [1124] which [3739] he read [314] was [2258] this [3778], He was led [71] as [5613] a sheep [4263] to [1909] the slaughter [4967]; and [2532] like [5613] a lamb [286] dumb [880] before [1726] his [846] shearer [2751], so [3779] opened he [455] not [3756] his [846] mouth [4750]:
33 In [1722] his [846] humiliation [5014] his [846] judgment [2920] was taken away [142]: and [1161] who [5101] shall declare [1334] his [846] generation [1074]? for [3754] his [846] life [2222] is taken [142] from [575] the earth [1093].
34 And [1161] the eunuch [2135] answered [611] Philip [5376], and said [2036], I pray [1189] thee [4675], of [4012] whom [5101] speaketh [3004] the prophet [4396] this [5124]? of [4012] himself [1438], or [2228] of [4012] some [5100] other man [2087]?
35 Then [1161] Philip [5376] opened [455] his [846] mouth [4750], and [2532] began [756] at [575] the same [5026] scripture [1124], and preached [2097] unto him [846] Jesus [2424].
36 And [1161] as [5613] they went [4198] on [2596] their way [3598], they came [2064] unto [1909] a certain [5100] water [5204]: and [2532] the eunuch [2135] said [5346], See [2400], here is water [5204]; what [5101] doth hinder [2967] me [3165] to be baptized [907]?
37 And [1161] Philip [5376] said [2036], If [1487] thou believest [4100] with [1537] all thine [3650] heart [2588], thou mayest [1832]. And [1161] he answered [611] and said [2036], I believe [4100] that Jesus [2424] Christ [5547] is [1511] the Son [5207] of God [2316].
38 And [2532] he commanded [2753] the chariot [716] to stand still [2476]: and [2532] they went down [2597] both [297] into [1519] the water [5204], both [5037] Philip [5376] and [2532] the eunuch [2135]; and [2532] he baptized [907] him [846].
39 And [1161] when [3753] they were come up [305] out of [1537] the water [5204], the Spirit [4151] of the Lord [2962] caught away [726] Philip [5376], [2532] that the eunuch [2135] saw [1492] [3756] him [846] no more [3765]: and [1063] he went [4198] on his [846] way [3598] rejoicing [5463].
40 But [1161] Philip [5376] was found [2147] at [1519] Azotus [108]: and [2532] passing [1330] through he preached [2097] in all [3956] the cities [4172], till [2193] he [846] came [2064] to [1519] Caesarea [2542].
4 For Gaza [05804] shall be forsaken [05800], and Ashkelon [0831] a desolation [08077]: they shall drive out [01644] Ashdod [0795] at the noon day [06672], and Ekron [06138] shall be rooted up [06131].
2 And it was told the Gazites [05841], saying [0559], Samson [08123] is come [0935] hither. And they compassed him in [05437], and laid wait [0693] for him all night [03915] in the gate [08179] of the city [05892], and were quiet [02790] all the night [03915], saying [0559], In the morning [01242], when it is day [0216], we shall kill [02026] him.
3 And Samson [08123] lay [07901] till midnight [02677] [03915], and arose [06965] at midnight [02677] [03915], and took [0270] the doors [01817] of the gate [08179] of the city [05892], and the two [08147] posts [04201], and went away [05265] with them, bar [01280] and all, and put [07760] them upon his shoulders [03802], and carried them up [05927] to the top [07218] of an hill [02022] that is before [06440] Hebron [02275].
17 And these are the golden [02091] emerods [02914] which the Philistines [06430] returned [07725] for a trespass offering [0817] unto the LORD [03068]; for Ashdod [0795] one [0259], for Gaza [05804] one [0259], for Askelon [0831] one [0259], for Gath [01661] one [0259], for Ekron [06138] one [0259];
47 Ashdod [0795] with her towns [01323] and her villages [02691], Gaza [05804] with her towns [01323] and her villages [02691], unto the river [05158] of Egypt [04714], and the great [01419] [01366] sea [03220], and the border [01366] thereof:
19 And the border [01366] of the Canaanites [03669] was from Sidon [06721], as thou comest [0935] to Gerar [01642], unto Gaza [05804]; as thou goest [0935], unto Sodom [05467], and Gomorrah [06017], and Admah [0126], and Zeboim [06636], even unto Lasha [03962].
28 [5037] Was [2258] returning [5290], and [2532] sitting [2521] in [1909] his [846] chariot [716] [2532] read [314] Esaias [2268] the prophet [4396].
18 I will arise [450] and go [4198] to [4314] my [3450] father [3962], and [2532] will say [2046] unto him [846], Father [3962], I have sinned [264] against [1519] heaven [3772], and [2532] before [1799] thee [4675],
13 And [1161] when they [846] were departed [402], behold [2400], the angel [32] of the Lord [2962] appeareth [5316] to Joseph [2501] in [2596] a dream [3677], saying [3004], Arise [1453], and take [3880] the young child [3813] and [2532] his [846] mother [3384], and [2532] flee [5343] into [1519] Egypt [125], and [2532] be thou [2468] there [1563] until [2193] I [302] bring [2036] thee [4671] word [2036]: for [1063] Herod [2264] will [3195] seek [2212] the young child [3813] to destroy [622] him [846].
12 And the angel [04397] of the LORD [03068] appeared [07200] unto him, and said [0559] unto him, The LORD [03068] is with thee, thou mighty [01368] man of valour [02428].
11 And the angel [04397] of the LORD [03068] called [07121] unto him out of heaven [08064], and said [0559], Abraham [085], Abraham [085]: and he said [0559], Here am I.
1 And there came [0935] two [08147] angels [04397] to Sodom [05467] at even [06153]; and Lot [03876] sat [03427] in the gate [08179] of Sodom [05467]: and Lot [03876] seeing [07200] them rose up [06965] to meet [07125] them; and he bowed [07812] himself with his face [0639] toward the ground [0776];
14 Are they [1526] not [3780] all [3956] ministering [3010] spirits [4151], sent forth [649] to [1519] minister [1248] for [1223] them who shall [3195] be heirs of [2816] salvation [4991]?
9 But [1161] there was a certain [5100] man [435], called [3686] Simon [4613], which beforetime [4391] in [1722] the same city [4172] used sorcery [3096], and [2532] bewitched [1839] the people [1484] of Samaria [4540], giving out [3004] that himself [1438] was [1511] some [5100] great one [3173]:
7 After they were come [2064] to [2596] Mysia [3465], they assayed [3985] to go [4198] into [2596] Bithynia [978]: but [2532] the Spirit [4151] suffered [1439] them [846] not [3756].
39 And [1161] when [3753] they were come up [305] out of [1537] the water [5204], the Spirit [4151] of the Lord [2962] caught away [726] Philip [5376], [2532] that the eunuch [2135] saw [1492] [3756] him [846] no more [3765]: and [1063] he went [4198] on his [846] way [3598] rejoicing [5463].
29 Then [1161] the Spirit [4151] said [2036] unto Philip [5376], Go near [4334], and [2532] join thyself to [2853] this [5129] chariot [716].
20 But [1161] while he [846] thought on [1760] these things [5023], behold [2400], the angel [32] of the Lord [2962] appeared [5316] unto him [846] in [2596] a dream [3677], saying [3004], Joseph [2501], thou son [5207] of David [1138], fear [5399] not [3361] to take [3880] unto thee [4675] Mary [3137] thy wife [1135]: for [1063] that which is conceived [1080] in [1722] her [846] is [2076] of [1537] the Holy [40] Ghost [4151].
6 And [5037] the people [3793] with one accord [3661] gave heed [4337] unto those things which Philip [5376] spake [3004] [5259], hearing [1722] [191] [846] and [2532] seeing [991] the miracles [4592] which [3739] he did [4160].
7 For [1063] unclean [169] spirits [4151], crying [994] with loud [3173] voice [5456], came out [1831] of many [4183] that were possessed [2192] with them: and [1161] many [4183] taken with palsies [3886], and [2532] that were lame [5560], were healed [2323].
8 And [2532] there was [1096] great [3173] joy [5479] in [1722] that [1565] city [4172].
4 Being made [1096] so much [5118] better than [2909] the angels [32], as [3745] he hath by inheritance obtained [2816] a more excellent [1313] name [3686] than [3844] they [846].
4 What [5101] man [444] of [1537] you [5216], having [2192] an hundred [1540] sheep [4263], if [2532] he lose [622] one [1520] of [1537] them [846], doth [2641] not [3756] leave [2641] the ninety and nine [1768] in [1722] the wilderness [2048], and [2532] go [4198] after [1909] that which is lost [622], until [2193] he find [2147] it [846]?
6 And [1161] it came to pass [1096], that, as I made [4198] my [3427] journey [4198], and [2532] was come nigh [1448] unto Damascus [1154] about [4012] noon [3314], suddenly [1810] there shone [4015] from [1537] heaven [3772] a great [2425] light [5457] round [4015] about [4012] me [1691].
6 He [3778] lodgeth [3579] with [3844] one [5100] Simon [4613] a tanner [1038], whose [3739] house [3614] is [2076] by [3844] the sea side [2281]: he [3778] shall tell [2980] thee [4671] what [5101] thou [4571] oughtest [1163] to do [4160].
5 And [2532] now [3568] send [3992] men [435] to [1519] Joppa [2445], and [2532] call for [3343] one Simon [4613], whose [3739] surname is [1941] Peter [4074]:
11 And [1161] the Lord [2962] said unto [4314] him [846], Arise [450], and go [4198] into [1909] the street [4505] which [3588] is called [2564] Straight [2117], and [2532] enquire [2212] in [1722] the house [3614] of Judas [2455] for one called [3686] Saul [4569], of Tarsus [5018]: for [1063], behold [2400], he prayeth [4336],