Hechos 8:18

18 Cuando Simón vio que el Espíritu se recibía cuando los apóstoles imponían sus manos sobre la gente, les ofreció dinero para comprar ese poder.

Hechos 8:18 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 8:18

And when Simon saw
Whence it appears, that the Holy Ghost, or his gifts, which were received by imposition of hands, were something visible and discernible; and so something external, and not internal; otherwise they would have been out of Simon's reach, and would not have fallen under his notice; but he saw,

that through laying on of the apostles' hands, the Holy Ghost was
given:
he saw, that upon this men began to prophesy, and to speak with divers tongues they had never learned, and to work miracles, cure men of their diseases, and the like: and when he observed this,

he offered them money;
to purchase such a power of conferring the like gifts, on whomsoever he should lay his hands: hence buying and selling spiritual things, or what relate thereunto, are commonly called "simony": a vice which has greatly prevailed in the church of Rome, and among its popes; and who therefore may be more properly called the successors of Simon Magus, than of Simon Peter.

Hechos 8:18 In-Context

16 El Espíritu Santo todavía no había venido sobre ninguno de ellos porque solo habían sido bautizados en el nombre del Señor Jesús.

17 Entonces Pedro y Juan impusieron sus manos sobre esos creyentes, y recibieron el Espíritu Santo.

18 Cuando Simón vio que el Espíritu se recibía cuando los apóstoles imponían sus manos sobre la gente, les ofreció dinero para comprar ese poder.

19 —Déjenme tener este poder también —exclamó—, para que, cuando yo imponga mis manos sobre las personas, ¡reciban el Espíritu Santo!

20 Pedro le respondió:
—¡Que tu dinero se destruya junto contigo por pensar que es posible comprar el don de Dios!