Acts 8:11

11 He had their attention because he had baffled them with sorcery for a long time.

Acts 8:11 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 8:11

To him they had regard
Which is repeated from the foregoing verse, for the sake of what follows:

because that of a long time he had bewitched them with sorceries;
or because he had, it may be for many years, astonished them with his magic arts, and the pranks he played in the use of them.

Acts 8:11 In-Context

9 Before Philip's arrival, a certain man named Simon had practiced sorcery in that city and baffled the people of Samaria. He claimed to be a great person.

10 Everyone, from the least to the greatest, gave him their undivided attention and referred to him as "the power of God called Great."

11 He had their attention because he had baffled them with sorcery for a long time.

12 After they came to believe Philip, who preached the good news about God's kingdom and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.

13 Even Simon himself came to believe and was baptized. Afterward, he became one of Philip's supporters. As he saw firsthand the signs and great miracles that were happening, he was astonished.