Charles Ellicott Commentary Acts 8:22

"Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray the Lord, if perhaps the thought of thy heart shall be forgiven thee." — Acts 8:22 (ASV)

Repent therefore of this your wickedness.—The stern words of condemnation are, we see, meant to heal, not to slay. Rightly understood, the call to repent in such a case as this opens the door of hope as wide as the history of the penitent thief. Repentance, and with repentance, forgiveness, were possible, even for the charlatan adventurer who had traded on the credulous superstition of the people, and claimed something like adoration for himself and his mistress.

Pray God, if perhaps the thought of your heart...—The better manuscripts give “Lord” instead of “God,” either in the Old Testament sense of the word or with special reference to the Lord Jesus. The “if perhaps,” in the Greek, as in the English, implies a latent doubt.

Did the thought come across the mind of the Apostle that the sin of Simon came very near that sin against the Holy Ghost which has never forgiveness (Matthew 12:31)? The use of such words by the chief of the Apostles, after the apparent concession of a plenary power in John 20:23, is terribly suggestive.

He neither forgives nor condemns, but bids the offender turn to the Searcher of hearts and pray for forgiveness. Had he seen repentance, he might have said, Your sins are forgiven you. Had he seen a conscience utterly dead, he might have closed the door of hope. As it is, he stands midway between hope and fear and, keeping silence, leaves judgment to the Judge.