John Calvin Commentary Acts 8:24

"And Simon answered and said, Pray ye for me to the Lord, that none of the things which ye have spoken come upon me." — Acts 8:24 (ASV)

Simon answered. From this we gather that he did not take Peter's threat in such a way, but rather considered that his salvation was being sought. And though Peter alone spoke, yet Simon attributes the speech to all because of their agreement. Now a question arises: what should we think of Simon?

Scripture takes us no further, except to a conjecture. Considering that he yields when he is reproved, and, being touched by the awareness of his sin, fears the judgment of God; and after that, flees to the mercy of God and commends himself to the prayers of the Church—these are certainly significant signs of repentance. Therefore, we may conjecture that he repented.

And yet the ancient writers unanimously affirm that he was a great enemy of Peter afterward, and that he disputed with him for three days in Rome. The disputation also still exists in writing under Clement's name, but it contains such vile nonsense that it is a wonder Christian ears can bear to hear them.

Again, Augustine, writing to Januarius, says that there were various false rumors spread abroad in Rome in his time concerning that matter. Therefore, nothing is safer than setting aside uncertain opinions and simply embracing what is set down in the Scriptures. What we read elsewhere about Simon may justly be suspected for many reasons.