MPV Commentary

Magus.

5 Then Philip, one of the seven deacons appointed by the apostles (Acts 6:5), arrived in Samaria to preach the Gospel. The persecution that had broken out against the church in Jerusalem may have been particularly severe against Stephen's colleagues, including Philip (Meyer).

6-8 The people of Samaria were receptive to Philip's message and gave heed to his words with one accord. This was likely due in part to the fruits of Jesus' ministry in the region, which had prepared the way for Philip's preaching (John 4:31-38). God providentially sent a Hellenistic Jew to a people who might have been resistant to a native of Judea.

8 The city of Samaria experienced great joy as a result of Philip's preaching and the miraculous healings that accompanied it, demonstrating the divine character of the Gospel.

9-13 Simon, a magician, had gained a following in Samaria by claiming to possess the power of God. He was known for his magical arts and was revered as some kind of incarnation of divinity.

10 Many people followed him because he had bewitched them with his magic for a long time. However, when they heard Philip's message and saw the miraculous signs accompanying it, they quickly deserted Simon and attached themselves to Philip.

12 Both men and women were baptized in response to Philip's preaching, which was facilitated by the exposure of Simon's fraudulent activities.

13 Simon himself eventually believed and was baptized, likely due to a mix of conviction and a desire to join the growing movement led by Philip. He continued to attend Philip's gatherings, indicating a level of commitment to the new faith.

14-17 The apostles in Jerusalem sent Peter and John to Samaria to lay hands on the newly baptized believers and confer the Holy Spirit upon them. This was necessary because only adults who had made a profession of faith were considered for this experience (Titus 3:5-7; 1 Corinthians 12:13).

15, 16 The apostles prayed that these believers might receive the Holy Spirit, which was seen as a superadded gift beyond their initial baptism. This experience was accompanied by miraculous manifestations and served to confirm the validity of Philip's ministry.

17 An important objective of this visitation was to establish the apostolic authority in Samaria, where Philip had been working without direct oversight from the apostles.

18-24 Simon offered them money, attempting to purchase spiritual influence and power. This behavior would later be known as simony, or trafficking in sacred things for personal gain.

19 He claimed that he could impart the Holy Spirit by laying hands on people, revealing his ambition and desire for spiritual authority.

20 Peter rebuked him, saying that his money was accursed and would perish with him. This statement expressed horror and indignation at Simon's actions.

21 Peter told Simon that he had no part or lot in the church because his heart was not right before God. This was a ministerial rebuke, emphasizing the gravity of Simon's deception.

22 Peter urged Simon to repent, pray, and seek forgiveness for his thoughts, which were likely filled with malice and deceit.

23 He described Simon as being held captive by the gall of bitterness and the bond of iniquity, highlighting the severity of his condition.

24 Simon asked Peter and John to pray for him, indicating a lack of confidence in his own prayer life. He requested that they intercede on his behalf, seeking to avoid the evils threatened against him.

25 When Peter and John had finished their ministry in Samaria, they returned to Jerusalem and preached the Gospel in many villages throughout the region, fulfilling Jesus' commission to spread the message to all of Samaria (Acts 1:8).