Even Simon himself believed and was baptized. He followed Philip closely and was astounded by the great signs and miracles he observed.
Parallel translations
- WEB Simon himself also believed. Being baptized, he continued with Philip. Seeing signs and great miracles occurring, he was amazed.
- KJV Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
- NKJV Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.
- NASB Now even Simon himself believed; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip, and as he observed signs and great miracles taking place, he was repeatedly amazed.
- NLT Then Simon himself believed and was baptized. He began following Philip wherever he went, and he was amazed by the signs and great miracles Philip performed.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Simon himself professed belief, was baptized, and followed Philip, amazed at the miracles. His profession appears genuine outwardly, yet his heart will soon prove unchanged.
Overview
Simon believed and was baptized, attaching himself to Philip and marveling at the signs. Christians have long debated whether his faith was true but immature or merely outward and false, for his later conduct (verses 18-23) raises serious doubts. The account warns that a profession of faith and even baptism do not guarantee a heart right with God.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 15
- Acts 8:6–7The crowds gave their undivided attention to Philip’s message and to the signs they saw him perform.
- John 5:20The Father loves the Son and shows Him all He does. And to your amazement, He will show Him even greater works than these.
- Acts 19:11God did extraordinary miracles through the hands of Paul,
- John 8:30–31As Jesus spoke these things, many believed in Him.
- Mark 16:17And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;
- John 2:23–25While He was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many people saw the signs He was doing and believed in His name.
- Luke 8:13The seeds on rocky ground are those who hear the word and receive it with joy, but they have no root. They believe for a season, but in the time of testing, they fall away.
- Acts 13:44On the following Sabbath, nearly the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.
- John 7:21Jesus answered them, “I did one miracle, and you are all amazed.
- Ps 106:12–13Then they believed His promises and sang His praise.
- Jas 2:19–26You believe that God is one. Good for you! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
- Hab 1:5“Look at the nations and observe—be utterly astounded! For I am doing a work in your days that you would never believe even if someone told you.
- Acts 3:10they recognized him as the man who used to sit begging at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
- Ps 78:35–37And they remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer.
- Acts 8:21You have no part or share in our ministry, because your heart is not right before God.
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Christ at the center
Acts is the risen Christ continuing his work by the Spirit through the church, as the apostles preach that there is salvation in no other name under heaven.
How Acts 8:13 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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