Acts 8:17
New International Version
Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

New Living Translation
Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit.

English Standard Version
Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.

Berean Standard Bible
Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Berean Literal Bible
Then they began laying the hands upon them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

King James Bible
Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

New King James Version
Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

New American Standard Bible
Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit.

NASB 1995
Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit.

NASB 1977
Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit.

Amplified Bible
Then Peter and John laid their hands on them [one by one], and they received the Holy Spirit.

Christian Standard Bible
Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

American Standard Version
Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Contemporary English Version
Peter and John then placed their hands on everyone who had faith in the Lord, and they were given the Holy Spirit.

English Revised Version
Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and the Samaritans received the Holy Spirit.

Good News Translation
Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

International Standard Version
Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Majority Standard Bible
Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

NET Bible
Then Peter and John placed their hands on the Samaritans, and they received the Holy Spirit.

New Heart English Bible
Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Weymouth New Testament
Then the Apostles placed their hands upon them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

World English Bible
Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
then they were laying hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Berean Literal Bible
Then they began laying the hands upon them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Young's Literal Translation
then were they laying hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Smith's Literal Translation
Then put they hands upon them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Then they laid their hands upon them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

New American Bible
Then they laid hands on them and they received the holy Spirit.

New Revised Standard Version
Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And they were laying hands upon them, and they were receiving The Spirit of Holiness.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Godbey New Testament
Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

Haweis New Testament
Then they laid their hands upon them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

Mace New Testament
Jesus) the apostles therefore gave them imposition of hands, and they received the holy spirit.

Weymouth New Testament
Then the Apostles placed their hands upon them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Worrell New Testament
Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Worsley New Testament
and they received the holy Spirit.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Simon the Sorcerer
16For the Holy Spirit had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 17Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18When Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money.…

Cross References
Acts 19:6
And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.

Acts 10:44-46
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard his message. / All the circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. / For they heard them speaking in tongues and exalting God. Then Peter said,

Acts 2:4
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Acts 2:38
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 9:17
So Ananias went to the house, and when he arrived, he placed his hands on Saul. “Brother Saul,” he said, “the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here, has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 19:5-6
On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. / And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.

John 20:22
When He had said this, He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:13
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink.

Hebrews 6:2
instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.

1 Timothy 4:14
Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given you through the prophecy spoken over you at the laying on of the hands of the elders.

2 Timothy 1:6
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

Numbers 11:25
Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and He took some of the Spirit that was on Moses and placed that Spirit on the seventy elders. As the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied—but they never did so again.

Numbers 27:18-23
And the LORD replied to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man with the Spirit in him, and lay your hands on him. / Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole congregation, and commission him in their sight. / Confer on him some of your authority, so that the whole congregation of Israel will obey him. ...

Deuteronomy 34:9
Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites obeyed him and did as the LORD had commanded Moses.

1 Samuel 10:6
Then the Spirit of the LORD will rush upon you, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be transformed into a different person.


Treasury of Scripture

Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

laid.

Acts 8:18
And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

Acts 6:6
Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

Acts 9:17
And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

they received.

Romans 1:11
For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;

Galatians 3:2-5
This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? …

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Apostles Ghost Hands Holy John Laid Peter Placed Received Receiving Spirit
Acts 8
1. By occasion of the persecution in Jerusalem, the church being planted in Samaria,
4. by Philip the deacon, who preached, did miracles, and baptized many;
9. among the rest Simon the sorcerer, a great seducer of the people;
14. Peter and John come to confirm and enlarge the church;
15. where, by prayer and imposition of hands giving the Holy Spirit;
18. when Simon would have bought the like power of them,
20. Peter sharply reproving his hypocrisy and covetousness,
22. and exhorting him to repentance,
25. together with John preaching the word of the Lord, return to Jerusalem;
26. but the angel sends Philip to teach and baptize the Ethiopian Eunuch.














Then
The word "then" serves as a transitional marker, indicating a sequence of events. In the context of Acts 8, it follows the preaching of the Gospel in Samaria by Philip and the subsequent belief and baptism of many Samaritans. This word underscores the divine order and timing in the unfolding of God's plan, emphasizing that the reception of the Holy Spirit was a distinct and subsequent event to their initial belief and baptism.

Peter and John
Peter and John were two of the original apostles, prominent leaders in the early church. Their presence in Samaria signifies the apostolic authority and unity in the early Christian community. Historically, Peter and John were known for their close association with Jesus, and their involvement here highlights the importance of apostolic endorsement and the continuity of the church's mission from Jerusalem to Samaria, fulfilling Jesus' command in Acts 1:8.

laid their hands on them
The laying on of hands is a significant biblical practice, symbolizing the impartation of blessing, authority, or the Holy Spirit. In the Old Testament, it was used in various contexts, such as the consecration of priests (Leviticus 8:14) and the commissioning of leaders (Numbers 27:18-23). In the New Testament, it becomes a means of conferring the Holy Spirit, as seen here. This act by Peter and John signifies a tangible connection and the transmission of spiritual power and blessing, affirming the Samaritans' inclusion in the body of Christ.

and they received
The phrase "and they received" indicates the successful outcome of the apostles' actions. The Greek word for "received" (λαμβάνω, lambanō) implies an active acceptance or taking hold of something offered. This highlights the readiness and openness of the Samaritans to embrace the Holy Spirit, reflecting a heart posture of faith and receptivity to God's gifts.

the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, essential in the life of believers for empowerment, guidance, and sanctification. In the context of Acts, the Holy Spirit's coming upon the Samaritans marks a pivotal moment in the expansion of the early church beyond Jewish boundaries. It fulfills the promise of Jesus that the Spirit would be given to all who believe, regardless of ethnic or cultural background, thus breaking down barriers and uniting believers in one body. This event underscores the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in equipping and enabling the church to fulfill its mission.

(17) Then laid they their hands on them.--The act had already appeared as at once the symbol and the channel of the communication of spiritual gifts and offices in the appointment of the Seven. (See Note on Acts 6:6.) Historically, the act here recorded has the interest of being the starting-point of what afterwards developed into the rite known as Confirmation. Taking the narrative of the Acts by itself, a question might be raised how far what we read of was normal or exceptional, connected, for a time only, with the bestowal of new and marvellous powers, or powerful, through the whole history of the Church, as a means of grace strengthening the spiritual life after those powers had been withdrawn. In any case it was probable that no hard and fast line marked the disappearance of the special and marvellous forms of spiritual power which were at first manifested in connection with the laying-on of hands, and so the practice had time to become part of the fixed order of the Church. When they ceased altogether we can understand the reluctance of men to give up a rite that had come down from the days of the Apostles. They would feel that the prayer of faith was still mighty to prevail; that the Spirit would still be given in answer to prayer joined with the symbolic act, though no longer in the same form, and would confirm and strengthen the work which had been begun in baptism, and so the primitive laying-on of hands passed into Confirmation, and was accompanied by other symbolic acts, such as anointing. The thought that it is so called because in it adults confirm the promises made for them when baptised as infants, is entirely modern, and cannot be traced further back than the sixteenth century.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Then
τότε (tote)
Adverb
Strong's 5119: Then, at that time. From ho and hote; the when, i.e. At the time that.

[Peter and John] laid
ἐπετίθεσαν (epetithesan)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2007: To put, place upon, lay on; I add, give in addition. From epi and tithemi; to impose.

[their]
τὰς (tas)
Article - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

hands
χεῖρας (cheiras)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 5495: A hand.

on
ἐπ’ (ep’)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

them,
αὐτούς (autous)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

they received
ἐλάμβανον (elambanon)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2983: (a) I receive, get, (b) I take, lay hold of.

[the] Holy
Ἅγιον (Hagion)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 40: Set apart by (or for) God, holy, sacred. From hagos; sacred.

Spirit.
Πνεῦμα (Pneuma)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4151: Wind, breath, spirit.


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