Charles Ellicott Commentary Acts 8:18-19

"Now when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles` hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay my hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit." — Acts 8:18-19 (ASV)

When Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands...—The words imply that the result was something visible and conspicuous. A change was worked; and men spoke with tongues and prophesied.

To the sorcerer, accustomed to charms and incantations, the men who were in possession of this power would seem to be enchanters with a higher knowledge than his own; and he, who had purchased many such secrets as was customary at the time from previous masters in the magic art, thought that this might be obtained in the same way.

The act thus recorded has given its name to a large class of offenses in ecclesiastical jurisprudence, and the sin of Simony in all its forms—the act of purchasing spiritual powers and functions—perpetuates the infamy of the magician of Samaria.