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.
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.
- BSB Even Simon himself believed and was baptized. He followed Philip closely and was astounded by the great signs and miracles he observed.
- 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.
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 multitudes listened with one accord to the things that were spoken by Philip, when they heard and saw the signs which he did.
- John 5:20For the Father has affection for the Son, and shows him all things that he himself does. He will show him greater works than these, that you may marvel.
- Acts 19:11God worked special miracles by the hands of Paul,
- John 8:30–31As he spoke these things, many believed in him.
- Mark 16:17These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new languages;
- John 2:23–25Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in his name, observing his signs which he did.
- Luke 8:13Those on the rock are they who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; but these have no root, who believe for a while, then fall away in time of temptation.
- Acts 13:44The next Sabbath almost the whole city was gathered together to hear the word of God.
- John 7:21Jesus answered them, “I did one work, and you all marvel because of it.
- Ps 106:12–13Then they believed his words. They sang his praise.
- Jas 2:19–26You believe that God is one. You do well. The demons also believe, and shudder.
- Hab 1:5“Look among the nations, watch, and wonder marvelously; for I am working a work in your days, which you will not believe though it is told you.
- Acts 3:10They recognized him, that it was he who used to sit begging for gifts for the needy at the Beautiful Gate of the temple. They were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
- Ps 78:35–37They remembered that God was their rock, the Most High God, their redeemer.
- Acts 8:21You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart isn’t right before God.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
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
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.