Acts 8 · Verse 14

Acts 8:14

Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
Acts 8:14, King James Version

Acts 8:14 in other translations

BSBWhen the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them.
WEBNow when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them,
ASVNow when the apostles that were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
YLTAnd the apostles in Jerusalem having heard that Samaria hath received the word of God, did send unto them Peter and John,
DARBYAnd the apostles who were in Jerusalem, having heard that Samaria had received the word of God, sent to them Peter and John;
BBENow when the Apostles at Jerusalem had news that the people of Samaria had taken the word of God into their hearts, they sent to them Peter and John;
WebsterNow when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John:

What does Acts 8:14 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Acts 8:14-17
14-17. the apostles ... sent Peter and John--showing that they regarded Peter as no more than their own equal.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 14. They sent. That is, the apostles deputed two of their number. This shows conclusively that there was no chief or ruler among them. They acted as being equal in authority. The reason why they sent them was, probably, that there would be a demand for more labour than Philip could render; a church was to be founded, which required their presence; and it was important that they should be present to organize it, and to build it up. The harvest had occurred in Samaria, of which the Saviour spoke, Jn 4:35, and it was proper that they should enter into it. In times of revival there is often more to be done than can be done by the regular pastor of a people, and it is proper that he should be aided from abroad.

Peter. This shows that Peter had no such authority and primacy as the Roman Catholics claim far him. He exercised no authority of sending others, but was himself sent. He was appointed by their united voice, instead of claiming the power himself of directing them.

And John. Peter was ardent, bold, zealous, rash; John was mild, gentle, tender, persuasive. There was wisdom in uniting them in this work, as the talents of both were needed; and the excellencies in the character of the one would compensate for the defects of the other. It is observable that the apostles sent two together, as the Saviour had himself done. Mk 6:7. The reasons why this additional aid was sent to Samaria were probably these:

(1.) To assist Philip in a great work--in the harvest which he was there collecting.

(2.) To give the sanction of the authority of the apostles to what he was doing.

(3.) To confer on the converts the gift of the Holy Ghost, Acts 8:17.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 14 The word of God - The doctrine of the Lord Jesus Christ. They sent unto them Peter and John - There was no individual ruler among the apostles - there was not even a president of the council; and Peter, far from being chief of the apostles, is one of those sent, with the same commission and authority as John, to confirm the Samaritans in the faith.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Acts 8:14-25
The Holy Ghost was as yet fallen upon none of these coverts, in the extraordinary powers conveyed by the descent of the Spirit upon the day of Pentecost. We may take encouragement from this example, in praying to God to give the renewing graces of the Holy Ghost to all for whose spiritual welfare we are concerned; for that includes all blessings. No man can give the Holy Spirit by the laying on of his hands; but we should use our best endeavours to instruct those for whom we pray. Simon Magus was ambitious to have the honour of an apostle, but cared not at all to have the spirit and disposition of a Christian. He was more desirous to gain honour to himself, than to do good to others. Peter shows him his crime. He esteemed the wealth of this world, as if it would answer for things relating to the other life, and would purchase the pardon of sin, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and eternal life. This was such a condemning error as could by no means consist with a state of grace. Our hearts are what they are in the sight of God, who cannot be deceived. And if they are not right in his sight, our religion is vain, and will stand us in no stead. A proud and covetous heart cannot be right with God. It is possible for a man to continue under the power of sin, yet to put on a form of godliness. When tempted with money to do evil, see what a perishing thing money is, and scorn it. Think not that Christianity is a trade to live by in this world. There is much wickedness in the thought of the heart, its false notions, and corrupt affections, and wicked projects, which must be repented of, or we are undone. But it shall be forgiven, upon our repentance. The doubt here is of the sincerity of Simon's repentance, not of his pardon, if his repentance was sincere. Grant us, Lord, another sort of faith than that which made Simon wonder only, and did not sanctify his heart. May we abhor all thoughts of making religion serve the purposes of pride or ambition. And keep us from that subtle poison of spiritual pride, which seeks glory to itself even from humility. May we seek only the honour which cometh from God.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Acts 8:14 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἈκούσαντεςAkousantesHaving heardG191
δὲdenowG1161
οἱhoitheG3588
ἐνeninG1722
ἹεροσολύμοιςHi'erosolumoisJerusalemG2414
ἀπόστολοιapostoloiapostlesG652
ὅτιhotithatG3754
δέδεκταιdedektaihas receivedG1209
ἡhē<the>G3588
ΣαμάρειαSamareiaSamariaG4540
τὸνtontheG3588
λόγονlogonwordG3056
τοῦtou<the>G3588
θεοῦ,theouof God,G2316
ἀπέστειλανapesteilanthey sentG649
πρὸςprostoG4314
αὐτοὺςautousthemG846
ΠέτρονPetronPeterG4074
καὶkaiandG2532
Ἰωάννην·IōannēnJohn;G2491

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Acts 8:14

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:13

    For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

  • 1 Thessalonians 3:2

    And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:

  • Acts 8:1

    And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

  • Galatians 2:9

    And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

  • Acts 2:41

    Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

  • Luke 22:8

    And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat.

  • Acts 17:11

    These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

  • Acts 11:1

    And the apostles and brethren that were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.

  • Acts 15:4

    And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.

  • Acts 11:19-22

    Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.

  • Matthew 13:23

    But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

  • John 12:48

    He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
when.
1; 11:1,19-22; 15:4; 1Th 3:2
received.
2:41; 17:11; Mt 13:23; Joh 12:48; 1Th 2:13; 2Th 2:10
Peter.
3:1-3; Ga 2:9

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Acts 8:13

    Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

  • Acts 8:14

    Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

  • Acts 8:15

    Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

Read all of Acts 8

Acts 8:14 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y los apóstoles que estaban en Jerusalem, habiendo oído que Samaria había recibido la palabra de Dios, les enviaron á Pedro y á Juan:
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Or les apôtres qui étaient à Jérusalem, ayant appris que la Samarie avait reçu la parole de Dieu, leur envoyèrent Pierre et Jean,
German
Elberfelder 1871		Als aber die Apostel, welche in Jerusalem waren, gehört hatten, daß Samaria das Wort Gottes angenommen habe, sandten sie Petrus und Johannes zu ihnen;
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Cum autem audissent Apostoli qui erant Jerosolymis, quod recepisset Samaria verbum Dei, miserunt ad eos Petrum et Joannem.