The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, was the prophet talking about himself or someone else?”
Parallel translations
- WEB The eunuch answered Philip, “Who is the prophet talking about? About himself, or about someone else?”
- KJV And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?
- BSB “Tell me,” said the eunuch, “who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?”
- NKJV So the eunuch answered Philip and said, “I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?”
- NASB The eunuch answered Philip and said, “Please tell me, of whom does the prophet say this? Of himself, or of someone else?”
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
The eunuch asked whether Isaiah spoke of himself or another, the key question that opens the way to Christ.
Overview
His sincere inquiry shows he was genuinely wrestling with the meaning of the text rather than reading carelessly. The question of the Servant's identity is precisely the one the gospel answers. By asking it, the eunuch invites Philip to reveal that the prophecy speaks of Jesus, the true and final Suffering Servant.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 3
- Matt 15:15Peter answered him, “Explain the parable to us.”
- Matt 13:36Then Jesus sent the multitudes away, and went into the house. His disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the darnel weeds of the field.”
- Matt 2:2–4“Where is he who is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and have come to worship him.”
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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 8:34 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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