Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 8:28

"and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah." — Acts 8:28 (ASV)

And sitting in his chariot. This refers to his carriage or vehicle. The exact form of the carriage is not known. In some instances, the carriages of the ancients were placed on wheels; in others, they were carried on poles in the form of a litter or palanquin, by men, mules, or horses. (See Calmet, article Chariot.)

Read Esaias. This means Isaiah. He was undoubtedly reading the translation of Isaiah called the Septuagint. This translation was made in Egypt for the special use of the Jews in Alexandria and throughout Egypt, and was the one commonly used. Why he was reading the Scriptures, and especially this prophet, is not certainly known.

It is morally certain, however, that he was in Judea at the time of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, that he had heard much about Him, and that this would have been a subject of discussion. It was therefore natural for him, while returning, to look at the prophecies respecting the Messiah—perhaps either to meditate on them as a suitable subject for inquiry and thought, or to examine the claims of Jesus of Nazareth to this office.

The prophecy in Isaiah 53 was so striking, and coincided so clearly with the character of Jesus, that it was natural for a candid mind to examine whether he might not be the person intended by the prophet.

On this narrative we may remark:

1. It is a proper and profitable practice when returning from worship to examine the sacred Scriptures.
2. It is good to be in the habit of reading the Scriptures when we are on a journey. It may serve to keep the heart from worldly objects and secure our affections for God.
3. It is good at all times to read the Bible. It is one of the means of grace. And it is when we are searching His will that we obtain light and comfort. The sinner should examine the sacred volume with a candid mind. It may be the means of leading him into the true path of salvation.
4. God often gives us light regarding the meaning of the Bible in unexpected ways. How little did this eunuch expect to be enlightened in the manner in which he actually was! Yet God, who intended to instruct and save him, sent the living teacher, opened the sacred Scriptures to him, and led him to the Saviour. It is probable (Acts 8:30) that he was reading it aloud.