Acts 8:29

Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(29) Join thyself to this chariot.—The act implied is that of laying hold and, as it were, attaching himself to the chariot in which the eunuch rode.

Benson Commentary

Acts 8:29-31. Then the Spirit — By that secret suggestion which inspired persons could distinguish with certainty as divine revelation; said to Philip, Go near — Now Philip shall know the reason of his being sent into a desert; join thyself to this chariot — Enter into conversation with the person who sits in it, without fear of offending him, or exposing thyself to any inconvenience. And Philip ran to him — Ran up to the chariot; and heard him read — For he read aloud, both that his own mind might be more deeply impressed with what he read, and that his servants, who were near, might receive some benefit by it. And Philip, being well acquainted with the Holy Scriptures, soon perceived that the book in which he read was that of the Prophet Isaiah, and that the passage he was reading would give him a very proper opportunity of entering into discourse with him concerning Christ, and delivering to him that evangelical message with which he was charged. He therefore took occasion to begin the conversation from this circumstance, saying to the eunuch, Understandest thou what thou readest? — This question Philip puts to him, not by way of reproach, but with a design to offer him his service, and lead him into the true knowledge of the important prophecy which now engaged his attention. Observe, what we read and hear of the word of God, it highly concerns us to understand; especially what we read and hear concerning Christ; and therefore we should often ask ourselves whether we understand it or not. Philip did not begin about the weather, news, or the like. In speaking for God, we may frequently come to the point at once without circumlocution. And he said, How can I — The eunuch was so far from being offended at the freedom Philip took, that he mildly and respectfully said in reply, How should I understand such obscure oracles as these, except some man should guide me — Unless some person, better acquainted with the contents of them than I am, should throw that light upon them which I, who am so much a stranger to the Jewish affairs, must necessarily be destitute of. And he desired Philip to come up and sit with him — Inferring from the question he put, that he was better acquainted with these things than himself. Here we see a remarkable instance of the providence and grace of God. This great man had been at Jerusalem, where the apostles were preaching the Christian faith, and multitudes professing it, and yet there he had taken no notice of it, and made no inquiries after it; nay, it seems had slighted it, and turned his back upon it. Yet the grace of God pursues him, overtakes him in the desert, and there converts him. Thus God is often found of those that sought him not!

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

8:26-40 Philip was directed to go to a desert. Sometimes God opens a door of opportunity to his ministers in very unlikely places. We should study to do good to those we come into company with by travelling. We should not be so shy of all strangers as some affect to be. As to those of whom we know nothing else, we know this, that they have souls. It is wisdom for men of business to redeem time for holy duties; to fill up every minute with something which will turn to a good account. In reading the word of God, we should often pause, to inquire of whom and of what the sacred writers spake; but especially our thoughts should be employed about the Redeemer. The Ethiopian was convinced by the teaching of the Holy Spirit, of the exact fulfilment of the Scripture, was made to understand the nature of the Messiah's kingdom and salvation, and desired to be numbered among the disciples of Christ. Those who seek the truth, and employ their time in searching the Scriptures, will be sure to reap advantages. The avowal of the Ethiopian must be understood as expressing simple reliance on Christ for salvation, and unreserved devotion to Him. Let us not be satisfied till we get faith, as the Ethiopian did, by diligent study of the Holy Scriptures, and the teaching of the Spirit of God; let us not be satisfied till we get it fixed as a principle in our hearts. As soon as he was baptized, the Spirit of God took Philip from him, so that he saw him no more; but this tended to confirm his faith. When the inquirer after salvation becomes acquainted with Jesus and his gospel, he will go on his way rejoicing, and will fill up his station in society, and discharge his duties, from other motives, and in another manner than heretofore. Though baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, with water, it is not enough without the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Lord, grant this to every one of us; then shall we go on our way rejoicing.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The Spirit - See the notes on Acts 8:26. The Holy Spirit is evidently intended here. The thought in Philip's mind is here traced to his suggestion. All good thoughts and designs have the same origin.

Join thyself - Join him in his chariot. Go and sit with him.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

29-31. the Spirit said—by an unmistakable voice within, as in Ac 10:19; 16:6, 7.

go near and join this chariot—This would reveal to Philip the hitherto unknown object of his journey, and encourage him to expect something.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

The Spirit said, either by the ministry of an angel, as Acts 8:26, or by inspiration immediately by himself.

Go near; so near that you may speak with him that sits in it.

Join thyself to this chariot; stick close unto it, and leave it not.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Then the Spirit said unto Philip,.... Not the angel, a ministering Spirit, as in Acts 8:26 but the Holy Spirit, as the Syriac and Ethiopic versions read, the same with the Spirit of the Lord, Acts 8:39 who spoke unto him, either by an articulative voice, such as was the Bath Kol among the Jews; or inwardly, by a secret impulse upon him, he directed him, saying:

go near, and join thyself to this chariot; he bid him make up to the chariot, he saw driving on the road at such a distance, and follow it, and attend it closely; and not leave it, till an opportunity of conversing with the person in it offered.

Geneva Study Bible

Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Expositor's Greek Testament

Acts 8:29. τὸ πνεῦμα εἶπεν: nothing inconsistent with the previous statement that an angel had spoken to him, as Weiss supposes by referring the angel visit to a reviser. There was no reason why the angel should accompany Philip, or reappear to him, whilst the inward guidance of the Spirit would be always present, as our Lord had promised.—κολλήθητι, cf. Acts 5:13, in Acts five times, and in each case of joining or attaching oneself closely to a person, of social or religious communion with a person, twice in Luke’s Gospel, cf. Acts 15:15 for its sense here, and elsewhere only once in the Evangelists, Matthew 19:5, and that in a quotation, Genesis 2:24, cf. its use three times in St. Paul, Romans 12:9, 1 Corinthians 6:16-17. In classical Greek similar usage, and cf. LXX, Ruth 2:8, Sir 2:3; Sir 19:2, 1Ma 3:2; 1Ma 6:21, etc. Hebrew דָּבַק, see Wetstein on Acts 10:28.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

29. Then [And] the Spirit said unto Philip] i.e. by a prompting from within.

Go near, and join thyself to this chariot] No doubt this royal treasurer had a numerous retinue, and a single traveller on a desert road would be doing what was natural in attaching himself to a train of people who were journeying in the same direction. Philip would therefore be able to approach and hear what was read without being deemed an intruder.

Bengel's Gnomen

Acts 8:29. Εἶπε, said) The Holy Spirit is therefore a Person: ch. Acts 1:16, Acts 10:19-20, Acts 13:2, Acts 21:11 [in all which passages the Holy Ghost is represented speaking as a Person].

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 29. - And for then, A.V. Acts 8:29

Vincent's Word Studies

Join thyself (κολλήθητι)

See on Luke 15:15; and Luke 10:11; and Acts 5:12.