Acts 8:14
Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The sending of Peter and John, two of the foremost apostles, highlights that this wasn't just a casual follow-up but a significant, divinely-orchestrated step to integrate Samaria into the larger Christian community. It demonstrates how God uses key leaders to bridge divides and ensure unity as His message expands.
After Philip’s successful ministry in Samaria, the apostles in Jerusalem heard the news and recognized this as a significant expansion of the gospel. They sent Peter and John, two of their most prominent leaders, to Samaria to oversee and affirm the work, underscoring the importance of this step in bringing the good news beyond Jewish borders and uniting believers. This action highlights the unified leadership of the apostles and their deliberate approach to spreading the Christian faith.
Samaritans and Jews had a deep-seated animosity. Yet, God’s plan wasn't limited by human prejudice. See how the early church grappled with expanding its reach beyond familiar borders.
Breaking Down Walls
For generations, Jews and Samaritans harbored intense animosity, fueled by historical, religious, and cultural differences. The idea of extending the gospel message to Samaria would have been a radical departure for many Jewish believers.
Why send two specific apostles? This wasn't just about manpower; it was about confirming the validity of this new spiritual movement and demonstrating the cohesive nature of the early church leadership.
The Apostolic Seal of Approval
The decision to send Peter and John wasn't arbitrary. It carried significant weight, both in affirming the work already done and in showcasing the unity and structure of the apostles' ministry.
Understand the original words
apostoloi · Greek Noun
An official messenger or "sent one" chosen by Christ to witness to His resurrection and serve as foundational leaders of the early church.
logon tou theou · Greek Noun phrase
The divine message or revelation of God’s will and nature. It can refer specifically to the gospel proclamation or the entirety of Scripture.
This event highlights a crucial moment where the early church, guided by the apostles, overcomes deep-seated ethnic and religious divides, demonstrating God's plan to unite all people through Christ and expand His kingdom beyond its initial Jewish boundaries.
c. 30 AD
Jesus' Ministry and Ascension
Jesus' public ministry, including His interactions with Samaritans, concludes with His crucifixion and resurrection. His ascension empowers the apostles to begin their mission.
c. 30-33 AD
Pentecost and the Early Jerusalem Church
The Holy Spirit descends on the apostles and other believers in Jerusalem, leading to the formation of the first Christian community and powerful evangelistic preaching.
c. 33-34 AD
Stephen's Ministry and Martyrdom
Stephen, a Hellenistic Jewish deacon, preaches boldly in Jerusalem but is martyred, sparking a severe persecution of the church.
c. 34 AD
Philip's Ministry in Samaria
Following the persecution, Philip, another deacon, travels to Samaria and preaches the gospel, leading to many conversions and a significant revival.
This passage highlights Jesus' initial instruction to the disciples to only go to the lost sheep of Israel, showing how the mission to Samaria in Acts 8 represents a significant expansion beyond those initial boundaries.
Luke 9:54This verse, where Jesus rebukes James and John for wanting to call down fire on a Samaritan village, directly contrasts with Peter and John's later mission to Samaria, illustrating the transformative power of the Gospel.
Acts 1:8This verse is the foundational promise that the disciples would be Jesus' witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth; Acts 8 shows the fulfillment of the 'Samaria' portion of that commission.
John 4:35Jesus' words about the fields being white for harvest in Samaria foreshadow the evangelistic success Philip experiences, as reported back to the apostles in Jerusalem.
Acts 10:47-48The reception of the Holy Spirit by Cornelius and his household, unbaptized into the Jewish faith, parallels the Samaritans receiving the Spirit, demonstrating God's widening of salvation's reach.
ellicottActs 8:14: "Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:"
(14) When the apostles which were at Jerusalem. . . . —The tidings came to the Twelve as a proof that the limitation which had at first excluded Samaria from the range of their work as preachers of the kingdom had now passed away ( Matthew 10:5 ), and that the time had now come when they were to be “witnesses” to Christ in Samaria as well as in Judæa (…
pulpitActs 8:14: "Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:"
Verse 14. - The apostles (see ver. 1). They sent unto them Peter and John. The selection of these two chief apostles shows the great importance attached to the conversion of the Samaritans. The joint act of the college of apostles in sending them demonstrates that Peter was not a pope, but a brother apostle, albeit their primate; and that the government…
The sending of Peter and John, two of the foremost apostles, highlights that this wasn't just a casual follow-up but a significant, divinely-orchestrated step to integrate Samaria into the larger Christian community. It demonstrates how God uses key leaders to bridge divides and ensure unity as His message expands.
After Philip’s successful ministry in Samaria, the apostles in Jerusalem heard the news and recognized this as a significant expansion of the gospel. They sent Peter and John, two of their most prominent leaders, to Samaria to oversee and affirm the work, underscoring the importance of this step in bringing the good news beyond Jewish borders and uniting believers. This action highlights the unified leadership of the apostles and their deliberate approach to spreading the Christian faith.
After Philip’s successful ministry in Samaria, the apostles in Jerusalem heard the news and recognized this as a significant expansion of the gospel. They sent Peter and John, two of their most prominent leaders, to Samaria to oversee and affirm the work, underscoring the importance of this step in bringing the good news beyond Jewish borders and uniting believers. This action highlights the unified leadership of the apostles and their deliberate approach to spreading the Christian faith.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Acts 8:14 is available in the Sola app.
c. 34 AD— this verse
Apostles Hear of Samaria's Conversion
News reaches the apostles in Jerusalem that the Samaritans, a group historically estranged from the Jews, have accepted God's word through Philip's preaching.
c. 34 AD
Peter and John Sent to Samaria
The apostles in Jerusalem send Peter and John to Samaria to pray for the new Samarian believers to receive the Holy Spirit and to officially affirm the church's expansion.
"Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John," — The sending of Peter and John, two of the foremost apostles, highlights that this wasn't just a casual follow-up but a significant, divinely-orchestrated step to integrate Samaria into the larger Chr…
