Acts 8:8

And there was great joy in that city.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(8) There was great joy in that city.—This and the whole narrative may well have been learnt by St. Luke from the lips of Philip himself, when St. Paul and his companions visited the Evangelist at Cæsarea on his way to Jerusalem (Acts 21:8), or during the Apostle’s two years’ imprisonment in that city (Acts 24:27), or, we may add, from St. Paul’s report of what he had heard when he travelled through Samaria (Acts 15:3).

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

8:5-13 As far as the gospel prevails, evil spirits are dislodged, particularly unclean spirits. All inclinations to the lusts of the flesh which war against the soul are such. Distempers are here named, the most difficult to be cured by the course of nature, and most expressive of the disease of sin. Pride, ambition, and desire after grandeur have always caused abundance of mischief, both to the world and to the church. The people said of Simon, This man is the great power of God. See how ignorant and thoughtless people mistake. But how strong is the power of Divine grace, by which they were brought to Christ, who is Truth itself! The people not only gave heed to what Philip said, but were fully convinced that it was of God, and not of men, and gave up themselves to be directed thereby. Even bad men, and those whose hearts still go after covetousness, may come before God as his people come, and for a time continue with them. And many wonder at the proofs of Divine truths, who never experience their power. The gospel preached may have a common operation upon a soul, where it never produced inward holiness. All are not savingly converted who profess to believe the gospel.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

And there was great joy - This joy arose:

(1) From the fact that so many persons, before sick and afflicted, were restored to health.

(2) from the conversion of individuals to Christ.

(3) from the mutual joy of "families" and "friends" that their friends were converted. The tendency of a revival of religion is thus to produce great joy.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

8. great joy in that city—over the change wrought on it by the Gospel, as well as the cures which attested its divine character.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

Great joy; not only for the cures wroght upon their bodies, but much more for the word of reconciliation and salvation preached unto their souls: joy in the Holy Ghost, is one of the effects of the kingdom of God, Romans 14:17.

In that city; the despised Samaria rejoices, and the formerly beloved city of Jerusalem repines, at the gospel; such strange alterations does the free grace of God make.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And there was great joy in that city. Both on a spiritual account, for the good of their souls, through the preaching of Christ and his Gospel to them; and on a temporal account; for the good of their bodies, or their friends, being dispossessed of devils, and healed of their diseases.

Geneva Study Bible

And there was great joy in that city.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Expositor's Greek Testament

Acts 8:8. This detail, and indeed the whole narrative, may have been derived by St. Luke from the information of St. Philip himself, cf. Acts 21:8, Acts 24:27, or from St. Paul as he travelled through Samaria, Acts 15:3.

Bengel's Gnomen

Acts 8:8. Χαρὰ, joy) The proper fruit and characteristic of Christian truth: Acts 8:39, ch. Acts 11:23, Acts 16:34; Romans 14:17 [2 Corinthians 1:24].

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 8. - Much for great, A.V. and T.R. Much joy. The joy was caused partly by the healing of their sick, and partly by the glad tidings of the gospel of peace (comp. Matthew 13:20; 1 Peter 1:8). Acts 8:8