Acts 8:38
New International Version
And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.

New Living Translation
He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.

English Standard Version
And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.

Berean Standard Bible
And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.

Berean Literal Bible
And he commanded the chariot to stop. And they both went down to the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.

King James Bible
And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

New King James Version
So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.

New American Standard Bible
And he ordered that the chariot stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him.

NASB 1995
And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him.

NASB 1977
And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch; and he baptized him.

Legacy Standard Bible
And he ordered the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him.

Amplified Bible
And he ordered that the chariot be stopped; and both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.

Christian Standard Bible
So he ordered the chariot to stop, and both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then he ordered the chariot to stop, and both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.

American Standard Version
And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.

Contemporary English Version
He ordered the chariot to stop. Then they both went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.

English Revised Version
And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The official ordered the carriage to stop. He and Philip stepped into the water, and Philip baptized him.

Good News Translation
The official ordered the carriage to stop, and both Philip and the official went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.

International Standard Version
So he ordered the chariot to stop, and Philip and the eunuch both went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.

Majority Standard Bible
And Philip gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.

NET Bible
So he ordered the chariot to stop, and both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.

New Heart English Bible
He commanded the chariot to stand still, and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

Weymouth New Testament
So he stopped the chariot; and both of them--Philip and the eunuch--went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.

World English Bible
He commanded the chariot to stand still, and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and he commanded the chariot to stand still, and they both went down to the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he immersed him;

Berean Literal Bible
And he commanded the chariot to stop. And they both went down to the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.

Young's Literal Translation
and he commanded the chariot to stand still, and they both went down to the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him;

Smith's Literal Translation
And he ordered the chariot to stand: and both went down into the Water, both Philip and the eunuch: and he immersed him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he commanded the chariot to stand still; and they went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch: and he baptized him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he ordered the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch descended into the water. And he baptized him.

New American Bible
Then he ordered the chariot to stop, and Philip and the eunuch both went down into the water, and he baptized him.

New Revised Standard Version
He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he commanded the chariot be stopped: and both went down into the water, and Philip baptized the eunuch.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And he commanded to stop the chariot and the two of them went down to the water and Philippus baptized that Eunuch
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And he commanded the chariot to stand still; and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he immersed him.

Godbey New Testament
And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they both came down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

Haweis New Testament
And he bid the carriage stop: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptised him.

Mace New Testament
so he order'd the charioteer to stop: and they went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

Weymouth New Testament
So he stopped the chariot; and both of them--Philip and the eunuch--went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.

Worrell New Testament
And he commanded the chariot to stand still; and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he immersed him.

Worsley New Testament
And he ordered the chariot to stop: and they both went down to the water, Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Philip and the Ethiopian
38And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. 39When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, but went on his way rejoicing.…

Cross References
Matthew 3:16
As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. Suddenly the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on Him.

Mark 1:9-10
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. / As soon as Jesus came up out of the water, He saw the heavens breaking open and the Spirit descending on Him like a dove.

John 3:23
Now John was also baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because the water was plentiful there, and people kept coming to be baptized.

Romans 6:3-4
Or aren’t you aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? / We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life.

Galatians 3:27
For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

Colossians 2:12
And having been buried with Him in baptism, you were raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead.

1 Peter 3:21
And this water symbolizes the baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

Matthew 28:19
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Acts 2:41
Those who embraced his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to the believers that day.

Acts 10:47-48
“Can anyone withhold the water to baptize these people? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have!” / So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay for a few days.

Acts 16:33
At that hour of the night, the jailer took them and washed their wounds. And without delay, he and all his household were baptized.

Acts 19:5
On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.

1 Corinthians 12:13
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink.

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.

2 Kings 5:14
So Naaman went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored and became like that of a little child, and he was clean.


Treasury of Scripture

And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

and he baptized.

John 3:22,23
After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized…

John 4:1
When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,

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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.














And he gave orders to stop the chariot
This phrase marks a pivotal moment in the narrative, where Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch are engaged in a profound spiritual encounter. The Greek word for "orders" (κελεύω, keleuō) implies a command or directive, indicating the eunuch's authority and willingness to act decisively. Historically, chariots were symbols of status and power, often used by officials and dignitaries. The act of stopping the chariot signifies a pause in the eunuch's journey, both physically and spiritually, as he prepares to embrace a new faith.

Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water
The phrase "went down into the water" is significant in its depiction of baptism, a central rite in Christian practice symbolizing purification and initiation into the faith. The Greek word for "went down" (καταβαίνω, katabainō) suggests a descent, which can be seen as a metaphor for humility and submission to God's will. This act of going down into the water together emphasizes the unity and equality in Christ, transcending social and ethnic barriers, as Philip, a Jew, and the eunuch, a Gentile, share in this sacred moment.

and Philip baptized him
Baptism, from the Greek word βαπτίζω (baptizō), means to immerse or submerge. This act is not merely a ritual but a profound declaration of faith and transformation. In the early church, baptism was a public testimony of one's conversion and commitment to follow Jesus Christ. The historical context of baptism in the first century was a radical step, often leading to persecution. Philip's role in baptizing the eunuch highlights the fulfillment of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19), as the Gospel begins to reach the ends of the earth, symbolized by the Ethiopian's journey back to Africa.

(38) They went down both into the water.--The Greek preposition might mean simply "unto the water," but the universality of immersion in the practice of the early Church supports the English version. The eunuch would lay aside his garments, descend chest-deep into the water, and be plunged under it "in the name of the Lord Jesus;" the only formula recognised in the Acts. (See Note on Acts 2:38.) So it was, in the half-playful language in which many of the Fathers delighted, that "the Ethiopian changed his skin" (Jeremiah 13:23).

Verse 38. - Both went down for went down both, A.V. Nothing can be more graphic than the simple narrative of this interesting and important baptism. Surely Luke must have heard it from Philip's own mouth (see Acts 21:8-10).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
And
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

he gave orders
ἐκέλευσεν (ekeleusen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2753: To command, order, direct, bid. From a primary kello; 'hail'; to incite by word, i.e. Order.

to stop
στῆναι (stēnai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 2476: A prolonged form of a primary stao stah'-o; to stand, used in various applications.

the
τὸ (to)
Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

chariot.
ἅρμα (harma)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 716: A chariot, vehicle. Probably from airo (as a particle of union) prefixed); a chariot (compare harmos).

Then
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

both
ἀμφότεροι (amphoteroi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 297: Both (of two). Comparative of amphi; both.

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

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

the
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

eunuch
εὐνοῦχος (eunouchos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2135: From eune and echo; a castrated person; by extension an impotent or unmarried man; by implication, a chamberlain.

went down
κατέβησαν (katebēsan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2597: To go down, come down, either from the sky or from higher land, descend. From kata and the base of basis; to descend.

into
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

the
τὸ (to)
Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

water,
ὕδωρ (hydōr)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5204: Water. And genitive case, hudatos, etc. From the base of huetos; water literally or figuratively.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

[Philip] baptized
ἐβάπτισεν (ebaptisen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 907: Lit: I dip, submerge, but specifically of ceremonial dipping; I baptize.

him.
αὐτόν (auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 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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NT Apostles: Acts 8:38 He commanded the chariot to stand still (Acts of the Apostles Ac)
Acts 8:37
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