Acts 8:19 Meaning and Explanation
“Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Simon asks to purchase the power to bestow the Holy Ghost on whomever he lays hands.
What Does Acts 8:19 Mean?
Simon's request shows exactly what he wants: not the Holy Ghost, but the dispensing of Him — 'that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive.' He had traded in wonders all his life and now seeks to stock the greatest wonder of all.
He asks for power without asking for God. It is possible to crave ministry, influence, even spiritual gifts, more for the standing they confer than for the Lord they serve. But the kingdom has nothing for sale, because everything in it is grace. The only posture that receives from God is the open hand — never the paying one.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 8:19
What does Acts 8:19 mean?
Simon asks to purchase the power to bestow the Holy Ghost on whomever he lays hands.