Acts 8:20
But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
Acts 8:20 in other translations
| BSB | But Peter replied, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! |
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| WEB | But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! |
| ASV | But Peter said unto him, Thy silver perish with thee, because thou hast thought to obtain the gift of God with money. |
| YLT | And Peter said unto him, ‘Thy silver with thee--may it be to destruction! because the gift of God thou didst think to possess through money; |
| DARBY | And Peter said to him, Thy money go with thee to destruction, because thou hast thought that the gift of God can be obtained by money. |
| BBE | But Peter said, May your money come to destruction with you, because you had the idea that what is freely given by God may be got for a price. |
| Webster | But Peter said to him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. |
What does Acts 8:20 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Acts 8:18-24
18-24. offered them money--Hence the term simony, to denote trafficking in sacred things, but chiefly the purchase of ecclesiastical offices.
Barnes' Notes
The gift of God. That which he has given, or conferred as a favour. The idea was absurd that that which God himself gives as a sovereign could be purchased. It was impious to think of attempting to buy with worthless gold that which was of so inestimable value. The gift of God here means the extraordinary influences of the Holy Ghost, Acts 10:45, 11:17. How can we pay a price to God? All that we can give, the silver, and the gold, and the cattle on a thousand hills, belong to him already. We have nothing which we can present for his favours. And yet there are many who seek to purchase the favour of God. Some do it by alms and prayers; some by penance and fasting; some by attempting to make their own hearts better, and by self-righteousness; and some by penitence and tears. All these will not purchase his favour. Salvation, like every other blessing, will be his gift; and if ever received, we must be willing to accept it on his own terms, at his own time, and in his own way. We are without merit; and if saved, it will be by the sovereign grace of God.
(e) "because thou thought" 2Kgs 5:15,16, Mt 10:8 (f) "gift of God" Acts 10:45, 11:17
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
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…
Acts 8:20 in the original Greek
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Cross references for Acts 8:20
- Daniel 5:17
Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation.
- Acts 2:38
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
- Matthew 10:8
Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
- Revelation 18:15
The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,
- 2 Peter 2:14-17
Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet. These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.
- 1 Timothy 6:9
But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
- James 5:3
Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.
- Acts 11:17
Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?
- 2 Kings 5:15-16
And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant. But he said, As the Lord liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it; but he refused.
- Acts 8:22
Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
- Acts 10:45
And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
- Isaiah 55:1
Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
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Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Context
- Acts 8:19
Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
- Acts 8:20
But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
- Acts 8:21
Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
Acts 8:20 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Entonces Pedro le dijo: Tu dinero perezca contigo, que piensas que el don de Dios se gane por dinero. |
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| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Mais Pierre lui dit: Que ton argent périsse avec toi, parce que tu as pensé acquérir avec de l’argent le don de Dieu. |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Petrus aber sprach zu ihm: Dein Geld fahre samt dir ins Verderben, weil du gemeint hast, daß die Gabe Gottes durch Geld zu erlangen sei! |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Pecunia tua tecum sit in perditionem: quoniam donum Dei existimasti pecunia possideri. |