Acts 8:14-25 Meaning: Why Peter and John Were Sent to Samaria
14Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them,
15who, when they had come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit;
16for as yet he had fallen on none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of Christ Jesus.
17Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
18Now when Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money,
19saying, “Give me also this power, that whomever I lay my hands on may receive the Holy Spirit.”
20But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!
21You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart isn’t right before God.
22Repent therefore of this, your wickedness, and ask God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.
23For I see that you are in the poison of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity.”
24Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that none of the things which you have spoken happen to me.”
25They therefore, when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the Good News to many villages of the Samaritans.
14Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
15Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
16(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
17Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
18And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
19Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
20But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
21Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
22Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
23For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
24Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.
25And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.
14Now when the apostles that were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
15who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit:
16for as yet it was fallen upon none of them: only they had been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.
17Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
18Now when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money,
19saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay my hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit.
20But Peter said unto him, Thy silver perish with thee, because thou hast thought to obtain the gift of God with money.
21Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right before God.
22Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray the Lord, if perhaps the thought of thy heart shall be forgiven thee.
23For I see that thou art in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.
24And Simon answered and said, Pray ye for me to the Lord, that none of the things which ye have spoken come upon me.
25They therefore, when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.
14And the apostles in Jerusalem having heard that Samaria hath received the word of God, did send unto them Peter and John,
15who having come down did pray concerning them, that they may receive the Holy Spirit, --
16for as yet he was fallen upon none of them, and only they have been baptized--to the name of the Lord Jesus;
17then were they laying hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
18And Simon, having beheld that through the laying on of the hands of the apostles, the Holy Spirit is given, brought before them money,
19saying, `Give also to me this authority, that on whomsoever I may lay the hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit.'
20And Peter said unto him, `Thy silver with thee--may it be to destruction! because the gift of God thou didst think to possess through money;
21thou hast neither part nor lot in this thing, for thy heart is not right before God;
22reform, therefore, from this thy wickedness, and beseech God, if then the purpose of thy heart may be forgiven thee,
23for in the gall of bitterness, and bond of unrighteousness, I perceive thee being.'
24And Simon answering, said, `Beseech ye for me unto the Lord, that nothing may come upon me of the things ye have spoken.'
25They indeed, therefore, having testified fully, and spoken the word of the Lord, did turn back to Jerusalem; in many villages also of the Samaritans they did proclaim good news.
14And the apostles who were in Jerusalem, having heard that Samaria had received the word of God, sent to them Peter and John;
15who, having come down, prayed for them that they might receive [the] Holy Spirit;
16for he was not yet fallen upon any of them, only they were baptised to the name of the Lord Jesus.
17Then they laid their hands upon them, and they received [the] Holy Spirit.
18But Simon, having seen that by the laying on of the hands of the apostles the [Holy] Spirit was given, offered them money,
19saying, Give to me also this power, in order that on whomsoever I may lay hands he may receive [the] Holy Spirit.
20And Peter said to him, Thy money go with thee to destruction, because thou hast thought that the gift of God can be obtained by money.
21Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter, for thy heart is not upright before God.
22Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and supplicate the Lord, if indeed the thought of thy heart may be forgiven thee;
23for I see thee to be in the gall of bitterness, and bond of unrighteousness.
24And Simon answering said, Supplicate ye for me to the Lord, so that nothing may come upon me of the things of which ye have spoken.
25They therefore, having testified and spoken the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and announced the glad tidings to many villages of the Samaritans.
Meaning in one sentence
Discover the meaning of Acts 8:14-25: why the apostles sent Peter and John to Samaria, the sin of Simon Magus, and what this teaches about the church's unity and the gift of the
Context
Philip had already preached the good news in Samaria, and many believed and were baptized, including a famous sorcerer named Simon. When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to the new believers. This was not a sign of distrust toward Philip. It showed the church's unity and the apostles' care for all who came to faith. Peter and John prayed for the Samaritans, laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. Simon saw this and offered money to buy the same power. Peter's sharp response, "Your money perish with you", reveals that the gift of God cannot be purchased. He called Simon to repent from the bitterness and bondage of his sin. After testifying and preaching, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, sharing the gospel in Samaritan villages along the way.
Key Words
Two Greek words help us feel the weight of this story. First, Peter calls the Holy Spirit a 'gift', the word is dōrea, meaning a free gift, something given with no payment expected. Simon wanted to buy it, but that is impossible. A gift can only be received. Second, Peter says Simon's heart is not 'right' before God. The word is eutheia, which means straight or upright. A heart that is bent toward selfish ambition is crooked. Simon's heart was twisted, he saw the Spirit as a tool to gain power and influence. Peter also tells him to 'repent' (metanoeō), which means to change your mind, to turn away from sin and toward God. Together these words invite us to check our own hearts: Are we trying to use God's gifts for our own ends? Or are we coming with open hands, ready to receive what He freely gives?
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have found different emphases in this passage. Catholic and Orthodox readers often see here the beginning of the sacrament of confirmation: the apostles laid hands on baptized believers so they would receive the Holy Spirit. This gift is understood as a strengthening for Christian life. Many Protestant commentators focus on Peter's warning that the gift of God cannot be bought, a clear rejection of any attempt to earn or control grace. Several commentators note that the apostles sent Peter and John as equals, not as subordinates, showing that no single leader ruled the early church. The figure of Simon gave rise to the word 'simony,' used across traditions for buying or selling spiritual offices. Everyone who reads this story agrees: the Holy Spirit is a gift, and the heart must be right before God.
A common misunderstanding
A common misunderstanding is to think the Samaritans had not truly believed because they had not yet received the Holy Spirit. Some assume they were only halfway saved. In fact, the text says they 'had received the word of God' and been baptized in the name of Jesus. The delay in the Spirit's visible outpouring was not a sign of incomplete faith. It gave the apostles the opportunity to come and lay hands on them, connecting the Samaritan believers to the mother church in Jerusalem. The Spirit fell when the apostles prayed, confirming that the gospel crosses every boundary and that the church remains one.
Living This Out
There is a Simon inside each of us. We see something beautiful in the church, a gift, a role, a spiritual experience, and we want it. Maybe we try to earn it through hard work, or we compare ourselves to others, or we find ourselves using ministry for personal recognition. This week, ask yourself: is my heart straight before God, or am I trying to buy what only He can give? Take a moment to lay down any hidden ambition. Then simply receive the gift of the Spirit again, with open hands. The apostles did not send Simon away without hope; they told him to repent and pray. That same hope is for you.
Main takeaway: God's gift of the Holy Spirit is free; it cannot be bought, and it is given to those with a heart made straight by repentance.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Simon saw the apostles give the Holy Spirit to people. He wanted to buy that power with money. But God's gifts are free. You cannot buy them. Your heart needs to be right with God.
For ages 9, 12
The apostles sent Peter and John to the new believers in Samaria to pray for them and lay hands on them, so they would receive the Holy Spirit. Simon, who had been a sorcerer, thought he could buy this power. Peter told him his heart was not right with God and he needed to repent. This reminds us that we cannot earn God's gifts; we receive them with a humble heart. The church stays united when we respect its leaders and the work of the Spirit.
Questions People Ask
Who was Simon Magus and what was his sin?
Simon was a sorcerer in Samaria who believed Philip's preaching and was baptized. He offered money to the apostles to buy the power to give the Holy Spirit. Peter rebuked him, saying his heart was not right before God and that the gift of God cannot be purchased. This gave rise to the word 'simony' for buying spiritual offices.
Why didn't the Samaritans receive the Holy Spirit immediately after believing?
The text does not give a single clear reason. Many Christians see God's timing at work: the delay allowed the apostles to come from Jerusalem and lay hands on the new believers, visibly uniting Samaritan and Jewish believers in one church. This showed that the gospel is for all people and that the Spirit is given according to God's will, not human schedules.
Does this passage support the practice of confirmation?
Catholic and Orthodox traditions see the laying on of hands by Peter and John as a biblical foundation for the sacrament of confirmation, where the Holy Spirit is given to baptized believers. Protestant traditions generally do not view this as a separate sacrament but as a special act to confirm the spread of the gospel. Both agree that the Holy Spirit works through the church to strengthen believers.
What does 'neither part nor lot in this matter' mean?
Peter tells Simon he has no share or inheritance in the ministry or the gift of the Holy Spirit. The words 'part' and 'lot' come from terms for assigned portions, like land or inheritance. Simon's heart was crooked, so he had no place in this spiritual work. But Peter does not abandon him; he calls him to repent and pray for forgiveness, showing that hope remains.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study