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1
The Deceptive Magician
Commentators identify this Simon as a famous magician who used deception, not genuine supernatural power, to gain influence. He was a type of charlatan common in the ancient world, who built his reputation by boasting that he was "some great one." His story introduces the first major conflict between the church and a religious impostor.
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Acts
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Commentaries
9
Albert Barnes
On Acts 8:9
18th Century
Theologian
But there was a certain man, called Simon. The Fathers have written much regarding this man and have given strange accounts of him, but no…
AT Robertson
On Acts 8:9
Simon (Σιμων). One of the common names (Josephus, Ant. XX. 7, 2) and a number of messianic pretenders had this name. A larg…
Charles Ellicott
On Acts 8:9
19th Century
Bishop
But there was a certain man, called Simon.—The man who is thus brought before us in a brief episode occupies a prominent …
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Charles Spurgeon
On Acts 8:5–11
19th Century
Preacher
Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which P…
Expositor's Bible Commentary
On Acts 8:9
Simon the sorcerer, or Simon Magus as he is called in postapostolic Christian writings, was a leading heretic in the early church. Justin Martyr (d…
John Calvin
On Acts 8:9
16th Century
Theologian
A certain man named Simon. This was such an obstacle that it might seem the gospel could find no way to reach the Samaritans, for all thei…
John Gill
On Acts 8:9
17th Century
Pastor
But there was a certain man called Simon
Who, as Justin Martyr F6 says, was a Samaritan, and of a village…
Matthew Henry
On Acts 8:5–13
17th Century
Minister
As far as the gospel prevails, evil spirits are dislodged, particularly unclean spirits. All inclinations to the lusts of the flesh, which war agai…