Acts 8:35

35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.

Acts 8:35 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
English Standard Version (ESV)
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.
New Living Translation (NLT)
35 So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus.
The Message Bible (MSG)
35 Philip grabbed his chance. Using this passage as his text, he preached Jesus to him.
American Standard Version (ASV)
35 And Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, preached unto him Jesus.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
35 Then Philip spoke. Starting with that passage, Philip told the official the Good News about Jesus.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
35 So Philip proceeded to tell him the good news about Jesus, beginning from that Scripture.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
35 Then Philip began with that same part of Scripture. He told him the good news about Jesus.

Acts 8:35 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 8:35

Then Philip opened his mouth
With freedom and boldness, and spoke clearly and distinctly, and expounded the passage to him. This is a phrase frequently used in Jewish writings, especially in the book of Zohar F5, when they give an account of this or the other Rabbi interpreting any place of Scripture; as for instance, R. Eleazar (xtp) , "opened", and said, "my sabbaths you shall keep" Again, R. Aba (xtp) , "opened", and said, "and Manoah said unto his wife" Once more, "R. Simeon opened", and said, "the heavens declare the glory of God" and

began at the same Scripture:
"the fifty third of Isaiah": and preached unto him Jesus of Nazareth; how that he was the true Messiah, and the person there designed, and that very rightly; for the Jews themselves, the ancient ones, have interpreted several passages in that chapter of the Messiah, as has been before observed; he showed him how that he was born of a virgin, made under the law, and yielded perfect obedience to it in his life; and that he suffered and died for the sins of his people, and made satisfaction for them, and brought in an everlasting righteousness to justify them before God, and had obtained eternal redemption for them; that he was risen from the dead, was ascended into heaven, and now sat at the right hand of God, and ever lived to make intercession for transgressors; and would come a second time to judge both quick and dead; and in the mean while had left rules for the gathering, and forming, and governing his churches; and had appointed persons to preach his Gospel, and to administer the ordinances of baptism, and the supper of the Lord, which were to continue till his second coming.


FOOTNOTES:

F5 In Gen. fol. 5. 3. 4. & 6. 1. 3. & 7. 1. 2. 3. & 8. 1. 2. 3. & passim.

Acts 8:35 In-Context

33 In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.”
34 The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?”
35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.
36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized? ”

Cross References 3

  • 1. Matthew 5:2
  • 2. Luke 24:27; Acts 17:2; Acts 18:28; Acts 28:23
  • 3. S Acts 13:32
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.