Charles Ellicott Commentary Acts 8:10

"to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is that power of God which is called Great." — Acts 8:10 (ASV)

To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest.—The ready acceptance of the pretender's claims may, in part, be traced to the impression made by the presence of the Christ, the Saviour of the world (John 4:42). If One had come among them in whom they felt there was a more than human greatness, why might there not be another manifestation of a similar nature? The sorcerer appears as the earliest type of those who were to come with lying signs and wonders, so as to deceive, if it were possible, even the elect (Matthew 24:24; 2 Thessalonians 2:9).

This man is the great power of God.—The better manuscripts read, This is the Power of God that is called great. The word “Powers” was used by the Samaritans to refer to the angels or hosts of God, and they probably recognized Simon as one of these and as possessing special pre-eminence.