But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Simon didn't just impress people; he actively amazed them, drawing them into his self-aggrandizement by claiming to be "somebody great." This wasn't just a boast, but a deliberate act of public deception that established him as a figure of immense influence before Philip even arrived.
But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Following the scattering of believers due to persecution in Jerusalem, Philip the evangelist travels to Samaria and begins proclaiming Christ to a populace already captivated by Simon, a local sorcerer who had long amazed them with his supposed powers and claimed to be someone of great importance. This man, Simon, had built a reputation for himself, leading the people to believe he was a divine manifestation, which presented a significant spiritual obstacle for Philip's gospel message.
Before Philip even arrived, a man named Simon had captured the hearts and minds of the Samaritans. How did he gain such influence, and what was the nature of his 'magic'?
Simon wasn't just performing simple tricks; he was a skilled magician, or sorcerer, who used his craft to gain immense influence. The Greek word used, 'mageuōn,' points to the practice of magic arts, often involving enchantments, incantations, and what appeared to be supernatural power. These weren't mere illusions but a calculated performance designed to 'astonish' and 'bewilder' people, leading them to believe he was something far greater than human. He exploited the deep-seated Messianic expectations present among the Samaritans, presenting himself as a divine figure. His goal was self-exaltation, aiming to be seen as 'somebody great,' even 'the great power of God,' fulfilling a societal craving for a powerful deliverer.
Simon's claim wasn't subtle. He declared himself 'somebody great.' What does this reveal about his ambition and the spiritual hunger of the people he deceived?
Simon's primary motivation was self-aggrandizement. He didn't preach Christ or God; he preached himself. The people of Samaria, caught up in their own deep longing for a savior and a demonstration of divine power, readily gave 'heed' to Simon. They proclaimed him 'the great power of God,' a statement echoing Simon's own boasts and reflecting a profound spiritual desperation. This highlights a critical danger: when people crave a powerful deliverer, they can be easily swayed by anyone who claims to possess it, even if that claim is self-proclaimed and based on deception. Simon capitalized on this hunger, positioning himself as the fulfillment of their Messianic hopes.
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Understand the original words
mageuō · Greek Verb
Occult practices, sorcery, or supernatural arts that attempt to manipulate spiritual powers outside of God's covenant. It is consistently condemned in Scripture as an attempt to bypass divine authority.
Simon Magus was a real historical figure, a Samaritan magician prominent in the city before Philip's arrival. His presence highlights the spiritual and intellectual landscape of Samaria, where Messianic expectations and magical practices intertwined, creating fertile ground for both genuine faith and dangerous deception.
c. 25 BC
Herod the Great Rebuilds Samaria
Herod the Great rebuilds the captured city of Samaria, renaming it Sebaste in honor of Emperor Augustus. This city would become a prominent center in the region.
c. AD 25-30
Jesus' Ministry in Samaria
Jesus himself ministered in Samaria, famously speaking with the Samaritan woman at the well in Sychar and leading many Samaritans to believe in Him.
c. AD 33-35
Stephen's Martyrdom and the Scattering of Christians
The martyrdom of Stephen, a Hellenistic Jewish deacon, triggers the first major persecution of the early church in Jerusalem. Many believers are forced to flee the city.
c. AD 35— this verse
Philip Preaches in Samaria
Following the persecution, Philip, another Hellenistic Jewish deacon, travels to Samaria and preaches Christ to the Samaritans, leading many to believe and be baptized.
c. AD 35
Simon Magus Believes and is Baptized
Simon, a local magician who had long amazed the Samaritans, also believes Philip's message and is baptized. However, his true intentions become clear later.
c. AD 40-50
Simon Magus's Later Influence and Heresy
Simon Magus later becomes a significant figure in early Christian heresies, developing teachings that blended Gnosticism with elements of Christianity. He is often considered the first recorded heretic.
This passage highlights the ancient practice of magic and sorcery, showing how Egyptian magicians used similar arts to oppose Moses, mirroring Simon's use of magic to deceive the Samaritans.
1 Corinthians 1:22This verse describes how some seek signs and others wisdom, illustrating the contrasting approaches to spiritual truth that Simon and Philip represent – one seeking power and recognition, the other proclaiming Christ.
2 Thessalonians 2:9This passage speaks of the 'coming of the lawless one' with counterfeit signs and wonders, a concept that parallels Simon's deceptive practices and his claim to be 'some great one.'
Matthew 24:24Jesus warns about false Christs and false prophets performing great signs and wonders, directly connecting to the deceptive power Simon wielded and the potential for spiritual deception.
Revelation 13:13-14This passage describes the second beast performing great signs, even making fire come down from heaven, which is a powerful parallel to the 'great power of God' the Samaritans attributed to Simon and the deceptive nature of his 'sorcery.'
barnesActs 8:9: "But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:"
But there was a certain man called Simon - The fathers have written much respecting this man, and have given strange accounts of him; but nothing more is certainly known of him than is stated in this place. Rosenmuller and Kuinoel suppose him to have been a Simon mentioned by Josephus (Antiq., book 20, chapter 7,…
expositorsActs 8:9: "But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:"
lete_me Acts 8:9-10 Chapter 17 SIMON MAGUS AND THE CONVERSION OF SAMARIA. Acts 8:5 ; Acts 8:9-10 THE object of the earlier part of this book of the Acts is to trace the steady, gradual development of the Church among the Jews, the evolution, never ceasing for a moment, of that principle of true catholic and univer…
Simon didn't just impress people; he actively amazed them, drawing them into his self-aggrandizement by claiming to be "somebody great." This wasn't just a boast, but a deliberate act of public deception that established him as a figure of immense influence before Philip even arrived.
Following the scattering of believers due to persecution in Jerusalem, Philip the evangelist travels to Samaria and begins proclaiming Christ to a populace already captivated by Simon, a local sorcerer who had long amazed them with his supposed powers and claimed to be someone of great importance. This man, Simon, had built a reputation for himself, leading the people to believe he was a divine manifestation, which presented a significant spiritual obstacle for Philip's gospel message.
Following the scattering of believers due to persecution in Jerusalem, Philip the evangelist travels to Samaria and begins proclaiming Christ to a populace already captivated by Simon, a local sorcerer who had long amazed them with his supposed powers and claimed to be someone of great importance. This man, Simon, had built a reputation for himself, leading the people to believe he was a divine manifestation, which presented a significant spiritual obstacle for Philip's gospel message.
"But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great." — Simon didn't just impress people; he actively amazed them, drawing them into his self-aggrandizement by claiming to be "somebody great." This wasn't just a boast, but a deliberate act of public dec…
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Last reviewed October 2026