Acts 8:31
New International Version
“How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

New Living Translation
The man replied, “How can I, unless someone instructs me?” And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him.

English Standard Version
And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

Berean Standard Bible
“How can I,” he said, “unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

Berean Literal Bible
And he said, "How indeed could I be able, unless someone will guide me?" And he invited Philip, having come up, to sit with him.

King James Bible
And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

New King James Version
And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him.

New American Standard Bible
And he said, “Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

NASB 1995
And he said, “Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

NASB 1977
And he said, “Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

Legacy Standard Bible
And he said, “Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

Amplified Bible
And he said, “Well, how could I [understand] unless someone guides me [correctly]?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

Christian Standard Bible
“How can I,” he said, “unless someone guides me? ” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
How can I,” he said, “unless someone guides me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

American Standard Version
And he said, How can I, except some one shall guide me? And he besought Philip to come up and sit with him.

Contemporary English Version
The official answered, "How can I understand unless someone helps me?" He then invited Philip to come up and sit beside him.

English Revised Version
And he said, How can I, except some one shall guide me? And he besought Philip to come up and sit with him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The official answered, "How can I understand unless someone guides me?" So he invited Philip to sit with him in his carriage.

Good News Translation
The official replied, "How can I understand unless someone explains it to me?" And he invited Philip to climb up and sit in the carriage with him.

International Standard Version
The man replied, "How can I unless someone guides me?" So he invited Philip to get in and sit with him.

Majority Standard Bible
?How can I,? he said, ?unless someone guides me?? And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

NET Bible
The man replied, "How in the world can I, unless someone guides me?" So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

New Heart English Bible
He said, "How can I, unless someone explains it to me?" So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up, and sit with him.

Weymouth New Testament
"Why, how can I," replied the eunuch, "unless some one explains it to me?" And he earnestly invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

World English Bible
He said, “How can I, unless someone explains it to me?” He begged Philip to come up and sit with him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And he said, “Why, how am I able, if someone may not guide me?” He called Philip also, having come up, to sit with him.

Berean Literal Bible
And he said, "How indeed could I be able, unless someone will guide me?" And he invited Philip, having come up, to sit with him.

Young's Literal Translation
and he said, 'Why, how am I able, if some one may not guide me?' he called Philip also, having come up, to sit with him.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he said, How can I, except somebody guide me? And he called upon Philip coming up to sit with him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Who said: And how can I, unless some man shew me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he said, “But how can I, unless someone will have revealed it to me?” And he asked Philip to climb up and sit with him.

New American Bible
He replied, “How can I, unless someone instructs me?” So he invited Philip to get in and sit with him.

New Revised Standard Version
He replied, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the E-thi-o’pi-an said, How can I understand unless some one teach me? and he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And he said, “How can I understand unless a man will instruct me?” And he asked Philippus to come up and sit with him.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
He answered: How can I, unless some one instruct me? And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

Godbey New Testament
And he said, How could I, unless some one shall guide me? And he called upon Philip coming up, to sit with him;

Haweis New Testament
He replied, How indeed can I, except some person guide me in the way? And he besought Philip to come up and sit with him.

Mace New Testament
how can I, answer'd he, without some expositor? and he desired Philip to mount, and sit with him.

Weymouth New Testament
"Why, how can I," replied the eunuch, "unless some one explains it to me?" And he earnestly invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

Worrell New Testament
But he said, "How, in fact, were I able, unless some one should guide me?" And he besought Philip, having come up, to sit with him.

Worsley New Testament
And he said, How can I, unless some one guide me? and he desired Philip to come up and sit with him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Philip and the Ethiopian
30So Philip ran up and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. 31“How can I,” he said, “unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so He did not open His mouth.…

Cross References
Isaiah 53:7-8
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth. / By oppression and judgment He was taken away, and who can recount His descendants? For He was cut off from the land of the living; He was stricken for the transgression of My people.

Romans 10:14
How then can they call on the One in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach?

Luke 24:27
And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was written in all the Scriptures about Himself.

John 16:13
However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come.

1 Corinthians 2:14
The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Matthew 13:13-15
This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.’ / In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. / For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’

2 Timothy 3:15-17
From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. / All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, / so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.

Psalm 119:18
Open my eyes that I may see wondrous things from Your law.

Proverbs 4:7
Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding.

Jeremiah 31:33-34
“But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people. / No longer will each man teach his neighbor or his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquities and will remember their sins no more.”

1 John 2:27
And as for you, the anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But just as His true and genuine anointing teaches you about all things, so remain in Him as you have been taught.

Nehemiah 8:8
So they read from the Book of the Law of God, explaining it and giving insight, so that the people could understand what was being read.

Hosea 14:9
Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them. For the ways of the LORD are right, and the righteous walk in them but the rebellious stumble in them.

John 5:39
You pore over the Scriptures because you presume that by them you possess eternal life. These are the very words that testify about Me,

2 Peter 1:20-21
Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture comes from one’s own interpretation. / For no such prophecy was ever brought forth by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.


Treasury of Scripture

And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

How.

Psalm 25:8,9
Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way…

Psalm 73:16,17,22
When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; …

Proverbs 30:2,3
Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man…

And he.

2 Kings 5:9,26
So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha…

2 Kings 10:15,16
And when he was departed thence, he lighted on Jehonadab the son of Rechab coming to meet him: and he saluted him, and said to him, Is thine heart right, as my heart is with thy heart? And Jehonadab answered, It is. If it be, give me thine hand. And he gave him his hand; and he took him up to him into the chariot…

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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.














How can I
This phrase reflects a humble acknowledgment of the need for guidance. The Greek word used here is "πῶς" (pōs), which indicates a manner or way. The Ethiopian eunuch's response to Philip's question reveals a heart open to instruction and a recognition of his own limitations in understanding the Scriptures. This humility is a model for all believers, emphasizing the importance of seeking wisdom and guidance from those more knowledgeable in the faith.

unless someone guides me?
The Greek word for "guides" is "ὁδηγήσει" (hodēgēsei), which means to lead or direct. This highlights the role of teachers and mentors in the Christian faith. The early church placed a strong emphasis on discipleship and teaching, as seen in the relationship between Jesus and His disciples. The eunuch's request for guidance underscores the necessity of community and fellowship in understanding God's Word. It also points to the role of the Holy Spirit, who guides believers into all truth (John 16:13).

And he invited Philip
The act of inviting Philip into his chariot is significant. It demonstrates the eunuch's eagerness to learn and his openness to receiving instruction. In the cultural context of the time, inviting someone into one's chariot was an act of hospitality and respect. This invitation also symbolizes the breaking down of barriers, as Philip, a Jew, and the Ethiopian eunuch, a Gentile, come together in the pursuit of truth. It reflects the inclusive nature of the Gospel, which transcends ethnic and cultural boundaries.

to come up and sit with him
The phrase "come up and sit with him" indicates a position of equality and fellowship. In the ancient world, sitting together was a sign of friendship and mutual respect. This action by the eunuch shows his willingness to engage in a meaningful dialogue about the Scriptures. It also illustrates the principle that the Gospel is for everyone, regardless of social status or background. The eunuch's openness to Philip's teaching is a reminder of the importance of being teachable and receptive to God's Word.

(31) How can I, except some man should guide me?--The words of the inquirer imply, as has been said above, that the prophecy was new to him. It is as though, in turning over, or perhaps unrolling, the MS., this was the passage which, in its strange, touching portraiture of the Man of Sorrows, had riveted his attention, and on which he was consequently dwelling with the prayer that some authorised interpreter would unfold its meaning. The word for "guide" connects itself with the title of "a guide of the blind," which the Rabbis were fond of claiming (Matthew 15:14; Romans 2:19).

Verse 31. - One shall for man should, A.V. and T.R.; he besought Philip to come up and sit with him for he desired Philip that he would, etc., A.V. He besought, etc. Tim humility and thirst for instruction of this great courtier are very remarkable, and the instance of the joint use of the written Word and the living teacher is noteworthy.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
“How
Πῶς (Pōs)
Adverb
Strong's 4459: Adverb from the base of pou; an interrogative particle of manner; in what way?; also as exclamation, how much!

can I,”
δυναίμην (dynaimēn)
Verb - Present Optative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1410: (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.

he said,
εἶπεν (eipen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

“unless
ἐὰν (ean)
Conjunction
Strong's 1437: If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.

someone
τις (tis)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.

guides
ὁδηγήσει (hodēgēsei)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3594: To lead, guide; met: I instruct, teach. From hodegos; to show the way (teach).

me?”
με (me)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

And
τε (te)
Conjunction
Strong's 5037: And, both. A primary particle of connection or addition; both or also.

he invited
παρεκάλεσέν (parekalesen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3870: From para and kaleo; to call near, i.e. Invite, invoke.

Philip
Φίλιππον (Philippon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5376: From philos and hippos; fond of horses; Philippus, the name of four Israelites.

to come up
ἀναβάντα (anabanta)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 305: To go up, mount, ascend; of things: I rise, spring up, come up. From ana and the base of basis; to go up.

[and] sit
καθίσαι (kathisai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 2523: Another form for kathezomai; to seat down, i.e. Set; intransitively, to sit; figuratively, to settle.

with
σὺν (syn)
Preposition
Strong's 4862: With. A primary preposition denoting union; with or together.

him.
αὐτῷ (autō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.


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Acts 8:30
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