ACT 8:4-8

Philip in Samaria

4Those who were scattered went about proclaiming the good news of the word.

5Philip went down to the city of Samaria and was proclaiming the Christ to them.

6The crowds were giving attention with one accord to what was being said by Philip as they heard him and saw the signs he was performing.

7For from many who had unclean spirits, they were coming out, crying with a loud voice; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed.

8So there was great joy in that city.

In the world it was spoken into

In the aftermath of Stephen’s martyrdom, the scattering of believers led Philip to Samaria, a region with a complex history of tension with Jews. Samaritans were viewed as religiously and ethnically inferior by many Jews, yet Philip’s proclamation of the Christ crossed these boundaries. The term (proclaiming good news) would have resonated as a counter-cultural act, given the deep-seated animosity between Jews and Samaritans. The (crowds) who gathered were likely a mix of Samaritans and perhaps Jews living in the region, drawn by Philip’s signs , which included exorcisms and healings. These miracles were not mere spectacles but served as divine authentication of his message. The phrase (with one accord) underscores the unity and fervor of the crowd, a striking contrast to the usual divisions between these groups. The expulsion of unclean spirits and healing of the paralyzed and lame would have been seen as tangible evidence of God’s power breaking into their world, leading to widespread joy in the city.

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How other translations render this

ACT 8:4

KJV: Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.
BSB: Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.
Koinōnos: Those who were scattered went about proclaiming the good news of the word.

ACT 8:5

KJV: Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
BSB: Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ to them.
Koinōnos: Philip went down to the city of Samaria and was proclaiming the Christ to them.

ACT 8:6

KJV: And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
BSB: The crowds paid cloase attention to Philipʼs message and to the signs they saw him perform.
Koinōnos: The crowds were giving attention with one accord to what was being said by Philip as they heard him and saw the signs he was performing.

ACT 8:7

KJV: 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.
BSB: With loud shrieks, unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed, and many of the paralyzed and lame were healed.
Koinōnos: For from many who had unclean spirits, they were coming out, crying with a loud voice; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed.

ACT 8:8

KJV: And there was great joy in that city.
BSB: So there was great joy in that city.
Koinōnos: So there was great joy in that city.

Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.

Translator's notes

ACT 8:4

evangelising:The word translated 'evangelising' literally means to proclaim good news. It implies a joyful announcement of a message that brings benefit or salvation.

ACT 8:6

crowds:The term used here for 'crowds' often refers to an unorganized, sometimes unruly, multitude of people, rather than a structured assembly.
with one accord:The phrase translated 'with one accord' describes a profound unity of mind and spirit, suggesting a shared purpose and passion, not just agreement.
signs:The word translated 'signs' refers to extraordinary occurrences that point to a deeper meaning or divine intervention, serving as evidence or proof.