Acts 8:18 Meaning and Explanation
“And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Seeing that the Holy Ghost is given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, Simon offers them money.
What Does Acts 8:18 Mean?
Simon watches closely and draws a magician's conclusion: here is a technique, and techniques can be bought. He reaches for his money.
His name became a word — simony, the buying and selling of sacred things — because his error never stopped tempting the church. Simon saw the hands but not the Giver; he mistook a gift flowing from God for a trade secret passing between professionals. Whenever holy things are prized chiefly for the advantage they confer — position, reputation, income — Simon's purse is open again.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 8:18
What does Acts 8:18 mean?
Seeing that the Holy Ghost is given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, Simon offers them money.