Acts 8:36
And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
Acts 8:36 in other translations
| BSB | As they traveled along the road and came to some water, the eunuch said, “Look, here is water! What is there to prevent me from being baptized?” |
|---|---|
| WEB | As they went on the way, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Behold, here is water. What is keeping me from being baptized?” |
| ASV | And as they went on the way, they came unto a certain water; and the eunuch saith, Behold, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? |
| YLT | And as they were going on the way, they came upon a certain water, and the eunuch said, ‘Lo, water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?' |
| DARBY | And as they went along the way, they came upon a certain water, and the eunuch says, Behold water; what hinders my being baptised? |
| BBE | And while they were going on their way, they came to some water, and the Ethiopian said, See, here is water; why may I not have baptism? |
| Webster | And as they went on their way, they came to a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? |
What does Acts 8:36 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Acts 8:34-38
34-38. And the eunuch answered, I pray thee, &c.--The respect with which he here addresses Philip was prompted by his reverence for one whom he perceived to be his superior in divine things; his own worldly position sinking before this.
Barnes' Notes
A certain water. The expression used here does not determine whether this was a river, a brook, or a pond or standing pool. And there are no circumstances to determine that. It is well known, however, that there is no large river, or very considerable stream, in this vicinity. All that is intimated is, that there was water enough to perform the rite of baptism, whether that was by sprinkling, pouring, or immersion. It must be admitted, I think, that there might have been water enough for either. Grotius says they came "to a fountain which was in the neighbourhood of Bethsora, in the tribe of Juda, at the twentieth milestone from AElia (Jerusalem) to Hebron." This is, however, a tradition taken from Eusebius. The place is still shown.--Pococke.
What doth hinder me, etc. This shows that he had been instructed by Philip in the nature and design of baptism. It evinces also a purpose at once to give himself to Christ, to profess his name, and to be dedicated to his service.
To be baptized. On the meaning of the word baptize, Mt 3:6.
(c) "what doth hinder me" Acts 10:47
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Acts 8:26-40
Philip was directed to go to a desert. Sometimes God opens a door of opportunity to his ministers in very unlikely places. We should study to do good to those we come into company with by travelling. We should not be so shy of all strangers as some affect to be. As to those of whom we know nothing else, we know this, that they have souls. It is wisdom for men of business to redeem time for holy duties; to fill up…
Acts 8:36 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.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for Acts 8:36
- Acts 10:47
Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
- John 3:5
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
- John 3:23
And John also was baptizing in Ænon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
- Titus 3:5-6
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
- 1 John 5:6
This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
- Ezekiel 36:25
Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Context
- Acts 8:35
Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
- Acts 8:36
And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
- Acts 8:37
And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Acts 8:36 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Y yendo por el camino, llegaron á cierta agua; y dijo el eunuco: He aquí agua; ¿qué impide que yo sea bautizado? |
|---|---|
| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Et comme ils continuaient leur chemin, ils arrivèrent à une eau, et l’eunuque dit: Voici de l’eau, qu’est-ce qui m’empêche d’être baptisé? |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Als sie aber auf dem Wege fortzogen, kamen sie an ein gewisses Wasser. Und der Kämmerer spricht: Siehe, da ist Wasser; was hindert mich, getauft zu werden? |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Et dum irent per viam, venerunt ad quamdam aquam: et ait eunuchus: Ecce aqua: quid prohibet me baptizari? |