A.T. Robertson Commentary Acts 8:14

"Now when the apostles that were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:" — Acts 8:14 (ASV)

That Samaria had received (οτ δεδεκτα η Σαμαρια). The district here, not the city as in verse 5. Perfect middle indicative of δεχομα retained in indirect discourse. It was a major event for the apostles for now the gospel was going into Samaria as Jesus had predicted (1:8). Though the Samaritans were nominally Jews, they were not held so by the people. The sending of Peter and John was no reflection on Philip, but was an appropriate mission since "many Christian Jews would be scandalized by the admission of Samaritans" (Furneaux). If Peter and John sanctioned it, the situation would be improved. John had once wanted to call down fire from heaven on a Samaritan village (Luke 9:54).