Acts 8:20 Peter answered: "May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!

◄ Acts 8:20 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
Peter answered: "May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!

English Standard Version
But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!

New American Standard Bible
But Peter said to him, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!

King James Bible
But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But Peter told him, "May your silver be destroyed with you, because you thought the gift of God could be obtained with money!

International Standard Version
But Peter told him, "May your money perish with you, because you thought you could obtain God's free gift with money!

American Standard Version
But Peter said unto him, Thy silver perish with thee, because thou hast thought to obtain the gift of God with money.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Keep thy money to thyself, to perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

Darby Bible Translation
And Peter said to him, Thy money go with thee to destruction, because thou hast thought that the gift of God can be obtained by money.

Young's Literal Translation
And Peter said unto him, 'Thy silver with thee -- may it be to destruction! because the gift of God thou didst think to possess through money;

Cross References

2 Kings 5:16
But he said, As the LORD lives, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it; but he refused.

Isaiah 55:1
Ho, every one that thirsts, come you to the waters, and he that has no money; come you, buy, and eat; yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

Daniel 5:17
Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let your gifts be to yourself, and give your rewards to another; yet I will read the writing to the king, and make known to him the interpretation.

Matthew 10:8
Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely you have received, freely give.

Acts 2:38
Then Peter said to them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 8:19
Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

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Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

8:14-25 The Holy Ghost was as yet fallen upon none of these coverts, in the extraordinary powers conveyed by the descent of the Spirit upon the day of Pentecost. We may take encouragement from this example, in praying to God to give the renewing graces of the Holy Ghost to all for whose spiritual welfare we are concerned; for that includes all blessings. No man can give the Holy Spirit by the laying on of his hands; but we should use our best endeavours to instruct those for whom we pray. Simon Magus was ambitious to have the honour of an apostle, but cared not at all to have the spirit and disposition of a Christian. He was more desirous to gain honour to himself, than to do good to others. Peter shows him his crime. He esteemed the wealth of this world, as if it would answer for things relating to the other life, and would purchase the pardon of sin, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and eternal life. This was such a condemning error as could by no means consist with a state of grace. Our hearts are what they are in the sight of God, who cannot be deceived. And if they are not right in his sight, our religion is vain, and will stand us in no stead. A proud and covetous heart cannot be right with God. It is possible for a man to continue under the power of sin, yet to put on a form of godliness. When tempted with money to do evil, see what a perishing thing money is, and scorn it. Think not that Christianity is a trade to live by in this world. There is much wickedness in the thought of the heart, its false notions, and corrupt affections, and wicked projects, which must be repented of, or we are undone. But it shall be forgiven, upon our repentance. The doubt here is of the sincerity of Simon's repentance, not of his pardon, if his repentance was sincere. Grant us, Lord, another sort of faith than that which made Simon wonder only, and did not sanctify his heart. May we abhor all thoughts of making religion serve the purposes of pride or ambition. And keep us from that subtle poison of spiritual pride, which seeks glory to itself even from humility. May we seek only the honour which cometh from God.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

20. Thy money perish with thee—that is, "Accursed be thou and thy money with thee." It is the language of mingled horror and indignation, not unlike our Lord's rebuke of Peter himself (Mt 16:23).