Bible Strands
Acts 8:19
“Give me this power as well,” he said, “so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Simon addresses the apostles immediately after observing that the Holy Spirit was imparted through their physical actions. He makes his request at the precise moment he recognizes the apostles possess a transferable spiritual capacity.
The words — The text employs ἐξουσίαν (exousian), meaning authority or power, alongside δότε (dote), meaning give. Simon explicitly asks to be granted this same authoritative capacity.
The thread — This request for transferred spiritual status parallels the pursuit of human honor in Luke 14:7, Matthew 18:1, and John 5:44. These passages collectively trace a pattern of seeking external validation rather than submitting to divine order.
Why it lands — The verse records Simon’s offer to purchase spiritual authority, which Peter immediately condemns as a fatal misunderstanding of God’s gifts. It requires readers to distinguish between genuine divine empowerment and the human impulse to control or commodify spiritual outcomes.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
Cross-references
- Luke 14:7 When Jesus noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, He told them a parable:
- Matthew 18:1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
- John 5:44 How can you believe if you accept glory from one another, yet do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?
- 3 John 1:9 I have written to the church about this, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not accept our instruction.
- Acts 8:9 Prior to that time, a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and astounded the people of Samaria. He claimed to be someone great,
- Acts 8:17 Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
- 1 Corinthians 15:8 And last of all He appeared to me also, as to one of untimely birth.