Acts 8:19
New International Version
and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

New Living Translation
“Let me have this power, too,” he exclaimed, “so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit!”

English Standard Version
saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

Berean Standard Bible
“Give me this power as well,” he said, “so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

Berean Literal Bible
saying, "Give also to me this authority, that on whomever I may lay the hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit."

King James Bible
Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

New King James Version
saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

New American Standard Bible
saying, “Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

NASB 1995
saying, “Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

NASB 1977
saying, “Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

Legacy Standard Bible
saying, “Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

Amplified Bible
saying, “Give me this authority and power too, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

Christian Standard Bible
saying, “Give me this power also so that anyone I lay hands on may receive the Holy Spirit.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
saying, “Give me this power too, so that anyone I lay hands on may receive the Holy Spirit.”

American Standard Version
saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay my hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit.

Contemporary English Version
and said to Peter and John, "Let me have this power too! Then anyone I place my hands on will also be given the Holy Spirit."

English Revised Version
saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay my hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
and said, "Give me this power so that anyone I place my hands on will receive the Holy Spirit."

Good News Translation
and said, "Give this power to me too, so that anyone I place my hands on will receive the Holy Spirit."

International Standard Version
and said, "Give me this power too, so that when I lay my hands on someone, he will receive the Holy Spirit."

Majority Standard Bible
?Give me this power as well,? he said, ?so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.?

NET Bible
saying, "Give me this power too, so that everyone I place my hands on may receive the Holy Spirit."

New Heart English Bible
saying, "Give me also this power, that whomever I lay my hands on may receive the Holy Spirit."

Webster's Bible Translation
Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit.

Weymouth New Testament
"Give me too," he said, "that power, so that every one on whom I place my hands will receive the Holy Spirit."

World English Bible
saying, “Give me also this power, that whomever I lay my hands on may receive the Holy Spirit.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
saying, “Give also to me this authority, that on whomsoever I may lay the hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit.”

Berean Literal Bible
saying, "Give also to me this authority, that on whomever I may lay the hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit."

Young's Literal Translation
saying, 'Give also to me this authority, that on whomsoever I may lay the hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit.'

Smith's Literal Translation
Saying, Give me also this power, that upon whomsoever I put hands, he might receive the Holy Spirit.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Saying: Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I shall lay my hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said to him:

Catholic Public Domain Version
saying, “Give this power to me also, so that on whomever I will lay my hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit.” But Peter said to him:

New American Bible
and said, “Give me this power too, so that anyone upon whom I lay my hands may receive the holy Spirit.”

New Revised Standard Version
saying, “Give me also this power so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Saying, Give me also this authority so that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
As he said, “Give me also this authority that he on whomever I place a hand will receive The Spirit of Holiness.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
saying: Give me, also, this authority, that who ever I shall lay my hands on, may receive the Holy Spirit.

Godbey New Testament
Give me this power, that on whomsoever I may lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

Haweis New Testament
saying, Confer on me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay my hands, they may receive the Holy Ghost.

Mace New Testament
give me too this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands he may receive the holy spirit.

Weymouth New Testament
"Give me too," he said, "that power, so that every one on whom I place my hands will receive the Holy Spirit."

Worrell New Testament
saying, "Give me also this authority, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit."

Worsley New Testament
saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the holy Spirit.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Simon the Sorcerer
18When Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money. 19“Give me this power as well,” he said, “so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20But Peter replied, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!…

Cross References
Matthew 10:8
Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.

2 Kings 5:15-16
Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God, stood before him, and declared, “Now I know for sure that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel. So please accept a gift from your servant.” / But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives, before whom I stand, I will not accept it.” And although Naaman urged him to accept it, he refused.

2 Kings 5:20-27
Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “Look, my master has spared this Aramean, Naaman, by not accepting what he brought. As surely as the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him.” / So Gehazi pursued Naaman. And when Naaman saw him running toward him, he got down from the chariot to meet him and asked, “Is everything all right?” / “Everything is all right,” Gehazi replied. “My master has sent me to say, ‘Look, two young men from the sons of the prophets have just now come to me from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two sets of clothing.’” ...

1 Timothy 6:10
For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

2 Peter 2:15
They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness.

Jude 1:11
Woe to them! They have traveled the path of Cain; they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam; they have perished in Korah’s rebellion.

Acts 19:13-16
Now there were some itinerant Jewish exorcists who tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those with evil spirits. They would say, “I command you by Jesus, whom Paul proclaims.” / Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. / But one day the evil spirit responded, “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” ...

1 Corinthians 12:4-11
There are different gifts, but the same Spirit. / There are different ministries, but the same Lord. / There are different ways of working, but the same God works all things in all people. ...

1 Corinthians 14:12
It is the same with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, strive to excel in gifts that build up the church.

2 Corinthians 2:17
For we are not like so many others, who peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as men sent from God.

Revelation 22:15
But outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

Exodus 7:11-12
But Pharaoh called the wise men and sorcerers and magicians of Egypt, and they also did the same things by their magic arts. / Each one threw down his staff, and it became a serpent. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up the other staffs.

Exodus 8:18-19
The magicians tried to produce gnats using their magic arts, but they could not. And the gnats remained on man and beast. / “This is the finger of God,” the magicians said to Pharaoh. But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said.

Numbers 22:7
The elders of Moab and Midian departed with the fees for divination in hand. They came to Balaam and relayed to him the words of Balak.

Numbers 24:1
And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not seek omens as on previous occasions, but he turned his face toward the wilderness.


Treasury of Scripture

Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

Acts 8:9-11,17
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: …

Matthew 18:1-3
At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? …

Luke 14:7-11
And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them, …

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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.














Give me this power as well,
This request is made by Simon the Sorcerer, a figure who had previously practiced magic in Samaria and amazed the people there. His desire for power reflects a misunderstanding of the nature of the Holy Spirit, viewing it as a commodity that can be bought or traded. This phrase highlights the tension between worldly power and spiritual authority. In biblical context, the power of the Holy Spirit is a gift from God, not something that can be acquired through human means. This request also echoes the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, where Satan offers Him all the kingdoms of the world in exchange for worship (Matthew 4:8-9), illustrating the contrast between divine purpose and human ambition.

he said,
Simon’s verbal request indicates a lack of understanding and reverence for the spiritual gifts bestowed by God. In the cultural context of the time, verbal contracts and requests were significant, often binding. His approach to the apostles, who were the appointed leaders of the early Church, shows a lack of respect for the divine order established by God. This moment serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of approaching God with humility and sincerity.

so that everyone on whom I lay my hands
The laying on of hands is a significant biblical practice, symbolizing the transfer of blessing, authority, or the Holy Spirit. In the Old Testament, it was used in the ordination of priests (Numbers 27:18-23) and the offering of sacrifices (Leviticus 1:4). In the New Testament, it becomes a means of imparting the Holy Spirit and commissioning individuals for ministry (Acts 6:6, 13:3). Simon’s desire to lay hands on others for personal gain contrasts with the selfless nature of true Christian ministry, which seeks to serve and uplift others rather than elevate oneself.

may receive the Holy Spirit.
The reception of the Holy Spirit is a central theme in the Book of Acts, marking the birth and expansion of the early Church. The Holy Spirit is given to believers as a seal of their salvation and empowerment for ministry (Ephesians 1:13-14). Simon’s misunderstanding of the Holy Spirit as a power to be wielded rather than a presence to be received and cherished underscores the need for proper teaching and discipleship. This moment serves as a reminder of the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, which cannot be manipulated or controlled by human desires.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Simon the Sorcerer
A man from Samaria who practiced sorcery and amazed the people. He believed and was baptized but later sought to buy the power of the Holy Spirit.

2. Philip the Evangelist
One of the seven deacons chosen in Acts 6, who preached the gospel in Samaria, leading many, including Simon, to believe and be baptized.

3. Peter and John
Apostles sent from Jerusalem to Samaria to pray for the new believers to receive the Holy Spirit.

4. Samaria
A region where Philip preached, and many accepted the gospel, leading to the apostles' visit to impart the Holy Spirit.

5. The Holy Spirit
The third person of the Trinity, whose power Simon sought to purchase, revealing his misunderstanding of God's gifts.
Teaching Points
Understanding the Nature of God's Gifts
God's gifts, including the Holy Spirit, are given freely and cannot be purchased or earned. They are a result of His grace and sovereignty.

The Danger of Selfish Ambition
Simon's request reveals a heart focused on personal gain rather than serving God. Believers must guard against using spiritual gifts for selfish purposes.

The Importance of Right Motives
Our motives in seeking spiritual gifts should be to glorify God and edify the church, not for personal power or recognition.

Repentance and Correction
When confronted with sin, as Peter did with Simon, the appropriate response is repentance and seeking God's forgiveness.

The Role of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit empowers believers for ministry and service, and His work should be respected and sought with reverence.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
“Give {me}
Δότε (Dote)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1325: To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.

this
ταύτην (tautēn)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

power
ἐξουσίαν (exousian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1849: From exesti; privilege, i.e. force, capacity, competency, freedom, or mastery, delegated influence.

as well,”
κἀμοὶ (kamoi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2504: To also, I too, but I. From kai and ego; so also the dative case kamoi, and accusative case kame and I, me.

he said,
λέγων (legōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

“so that
ἵνα (hina)
Conjunction
Strong's 2443: In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.

everyone on whom
(hō)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

I lay
ἐπιθῶ (epithō)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2007: To put, place upon, lay on; I add, give in addition. From epi and tithemi; to impose.

[my]
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.

may receive
λαμβάνῃ (lambanē)
Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
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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Acts 8:18
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