Acts 8:22

Repent, therefore, of your wickedness, and pray to the Lord. Perhaps He will forgive you for the intent of your heart.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Peter addresses Simon Magus immediately after declaring that Simon’s heart is not right before God and that he has no share in the apostolic ministry. This confrontation occurs during Peter’s direct rebuke of Simon’s attempt to buy spiritual authority.

The words — The imperative μετανόησον (metanoēson) commands Simon to “do repent” specifically from “this wickedness” (ταύτης κακίας). The particle οὖν (oun) ties the command directly to Peter’s preceding diagnosis of Simon’s corrupted motives.

The thread — The directive to abandon sin and seek divine mercy echoes the call in Daniel 4:27 to break away from iniquity through righteous action. It also corresponds to the pattern in 2 Timothy 2:25 where correction is offered with the hope that God will grant repentance to opponents.

Why it lands — The verse requires a decisive turn from corrupt intent accompanied by direct prayer to God. It places the possibility of forgiveness entirely in God’s hands, removing any ground for human bargaining or ritual substitution.

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

Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

Cross-references

2 Timothy 2:25 He must gently reprove those who oppose him, in the hope that God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.
Daniel 4:27 Therefore, may my advice be pleasing to you, O king. Break away from your sins by doing what is right, and from your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed. Perhaps there will be an extension of your prosperity.”
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.
Luke 11:9 So I tell you: Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.
Acts 9:11 “Get up!” the Lord told him. “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying.
Acts 17:30 Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all people everywhere to repent.
Romans 2:4 Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?
Deuteronomy 4:29 But if from there you will seek the LORD your God, you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.
Isaiah 55:6 Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.