Acts 8:23 Meaning and Explanation
“For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Peter perceives that Simon is in the gall of bitterness and the bond of iniquity.
What Does Acts 8:23 Mean?
Peter names what he discerns beneath the surface: poison and chains. 'Gall of bitterness' recalls the warning of Deuteronomy 29:18 against a root that bears gall and wormwood — corruption hidden in a heart while the lips say acceptable things.
Sin is pictured here as both toxin and tether: it embitters what it touches and binds the one who keeps it. Simon, who held a city spellbound for years, is himself the captive. Only the Lord who came to proclaim liberty to the captives (Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:18) can dissolve such a bond — which is why Peter prescribed repentance and prayer rather than effort and image.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 8:23
What does Acts 8:23 mean?
Peter perceives that Simon is in the gall of bitterness and the bond of iniquity.