The Meaning of Acts 8:35 Explained

Acts 8:35

KJV: Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

YLT: and Philip having opened his mouth, and having begun from this Writing, proclaimed good news to him -- Jesus.

Darby: And Philip, opening his mouth and beginning from that scripture, announced the glad tidings of Jesus to him.

ASV: And Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, preached unto him Jesus.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Then  Philip  opened  his  mouth,  and  began  at  the same  scripture,  and preached  unto him  Jesus. 

What does Acts 8:35 Mean?

Context Summary

Acts 8:26-40 - Winning A Traveler
From the great city revival in Samaria Philip was led to the desert to minister to one seeking soul. It seems strange that God should be able to spare him from his busy and fruitful ministry in Samaria; but probably the comparative retirement was needed for soul and body after the strain of that successful campaign. How certain these Spirit-filled men were of the heavenly impulse! Every appearance suggested that this man of God was needed in the city, but the inner voice was the deciding factor, and his journey was so timed as to bring him in contact with a soul that was groping its way toward Christ.
The Bible is good as a traveling companion. Take it on your journeys. Read it as other men do their newspapers; not exclusively but boldly. There are many stories afloat of bullets being stopped by pocket Testaments; and it is certain that many a desperate thrust of the devil has been warded off by the Word of God being hidden in the heart and worn as a breastplate. Live in touch with God, and He will put you in touch with souls. This conversion of a son of Ham was a worthy fulfillment of Isaiah 56:3-8. [source]

Chapter Summary: Acts 8

1  By occasion of the persecution in Jerusalem, the church being planted in Samaria,
4  by Philip the deacon, who preached, did miracles, and baptized many;
9  among the rest Simon the sorcerer, a great seducer of the people;
14  Peter and John come to confirm and enlarge the church;
15  where, by prayer and imposition of hands giving the Holy Spirit;
18  when Simon would have bought the like power of them,
20  Peter sharply reproving his hypocrisy and covetousness,
22  and exhorting him to repentance,
25  together with John preaching the word of the Lord, return to Jerusalem;
26  but the angel sends Philip to teach and baptize the Ethiopian Eunuch

Greek Commentary for Acts 8:35

Beginning from this scripture [αρχαμενος απο της γραπης ταυτης]
As a text. Philip needed no better opening than this Messianic passage in Isaiah. [source]
Preached unto him Jesus [ευηγγελισατο αυτωι τον Ιησουν]
Philip had no doubt about the Messianic meaning and he knew that Jesus was the Messiah. There are scholars who do not find Jesus in the Old Testament at all, but Jesus himself did (Luke 24:27) as Philip does here. Scientific study of the Old Testament (historical research) misses its mark if it fails to find Christ the Center of all history. The knowledge of the individual prophet is not always clear, but after events throw a backward light that illumines it all (1 Peter 1:11.; 2 Peter 1:19-21). [source]
Opened his mouth []
Indicating a solemn announcement. Compare Matthew 5:2. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 8:35

Acts 10:34 Opened his mouth [anoixas to stoma)]
Solemn formula for beginning his address (Acts 8:35; Acts 18:14; Matthew 5:2; Matthew 13:35). But also good elocution for the speaker. [source]
1 Timothy 5:18 The Scripture [ἡ γραφή]
Comp. 2 Timothy 3:16. To the Jews ἡ γραφή signified the O.T. canon of Scripture; but in most cases ἡ γραφή is used of a particular passage of Scripture which is indicated in the context. See John 7:38, John 7:42; Acts 1:16; Acts 8:32, Acts 8:35; Romans 4:3; Romans 9:17; Romans 10:11; Galatians 3:8. Where the reference is to the sacred writings as a whole, the plural γραφαὶ or αἱ γραφαὶ is used, as Matthew 21:42; Luke 24:32; John 5:39; Romans 15:4. Once γραφαὶ ἅγιαι holyScriptures, Romans 1:2. Ἑτέρα γραφὴ anotheror a different Scripture, John 19:37; ἡ γραφὴ αὕτη this Scripture, Luke 4:21; πᾶσα γραφὴ everyScripture, 2 Timothy 3:16. See on writings, John 2:22. The passage cited here is Deuteronomy 25:4, also by Paul, 1 Corinthians 9:9. [source]

What do the individual words in Acts 8:35 mean?

Having opened then - Philip the mouth of him and having begun from the Scripture this he proclaimed the good news to him - Jesus
Ἀνοίξας δὲ Φίλιππος τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀρξάμενος ἀπὸ τῆς γραφῆς ταύτης εὐηγγελίσατο αὐτῷ τὸν Ἰησοῦν

Ἀνοίξας  Having  opened 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἀνοίγω 
Sense: to open.
  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Φίλιππος  Philip 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: Φίλιππος  
Sense: an apostle of Christ.
στόμα  mouth 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: στόμα  
Sense: the mouth, as part of the body: of man, of animals, of fish, etc.
αὐτοῦ  of  him 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
ἀρξάμενος  having  begun 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Middle, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἄρχω  
Sense: to be the first to do (anything), to begin.
γραφῆς  Scripture 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: γραφή  
Sense: a writing, thing written.
ταύτης  this 
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: οὗτος  
Sense: this.
εὐηγγελίσατο  he  proclaimed  the  good  news 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Middle, 3rd Person Singular
Root: εὐαγγελίζω  
Sense: to bring good news, to announce glad tidings.
αὐτῷ  to  him 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
τὸν  - 
Parse: Article, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Ἰησοῦν  Jesus 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: Ἰησοῦς  
Sense: Joshua was the famous captain of the Israelites, Moses’ successor.