Simon's claim to be "somebody great" wasn't just a boast; it was a carefully crafted performance designed to make the people believe he was a divine manifestation. This sets him up as a stark contrast to Philip, who preaches Christ, positioning Simon as a rival claimant to divine authority, not just a performer of tricks.
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. They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Following the persecution after Stephen's death, believers scattered, but Philip the evangelist traveled to Samaria and began proclaiming Christ. His ministry there was met with great success, as he healed the sick and cast out demons, bringing significant joy to the city. However, his work encountered opposition from Simon, a prominent local figure who had long captivated the Samaritans with his sorcery and self-proclaimed greatness.
Before Philip arrived, Samaria was captivated by a man named Simon. What was he doing, and how did he gain such influence?
Simon wasn't just performing tricks; he was a master of deception who used his skills to impress and awe the people. The Greek word used here, 'mageuōn,' points to the practice of magic or sorcery. This wasn't about genuine supernatural power, but rather skillful deception, 'astonishing' and 'amaz[ing]' the people, as some translations suggest, rather than literally 'bewitching' them. He presented himself as someone extraordinary, someone 'great,' leveraging their expectations and credulity to elevate his own status.
The people of Samaria didn't just think Simon was impressive; they believed he was 'the great power of God.' How could they be so deceived?
Simon actively cultivated a belief that he was divine or possessed divine power. The people's declaration that he was 'the great power of God' wasn't just hyperbole; it was a reflection of his own boasts and their deep-seated Messianic expectations. In a world longing for a deliverer, Simon exploited this spiritual hunger. He presented his 'magic' as evidence of this divine status, making his claim all the more convincing to those who were not discerning. His self-exaltation stood in stark contrast to Philip, who pointed people to Christ.
Why were the Samaritans so attached to Simon's magic, even after hearing Philip's message?
Simon had 'long time' practiced his magic, and the people had 'long time' been captivated by it. This familiarity bred a deep-seated attachment to his ways. Their credulity and the power of his performances had created a strong hold on them. This illustrates how deeply ingrained errors and superstitions can become, making it incredibly difficult to turn people toward the truth. Even when presented with the genuine power of God through Philip's preaching and miracles, the allure of the familiar and the established influence of Simon posed a significant obstacle, highlighting the challenge of spiritual transformation.
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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.
dynamis · Greek Noun
The inherent strength, ability, or authority of God. It refers to the effective working of His divine will in the world, often displayed through His messengers or the Gospel.
proseichon · Greek Verb
A state of deep mental engagement, fixation, or devotion to an object or person. In a biblical context, it often refers to holding someone in high regard or giving careful heed to their message.
mageiais · Greek Noun
In the NT, refers to sorcery, witchcraft, or magical arts. It is consistently condemned as an occult practice that seeks to manipulate spiritual realities apart from God, often through demonic influence.
Simon Magus represented a spiritual counterfeit, common in the ancient world, who used deceptive 'magic' to gain influence. His encounter with Philip highlights the stark contrast between genuine divine power and pagan sorcery, and the early church's struggle against such subtle opposition.
c. 200 BC
Samaritan Schism
The Samaritan religious community, with its own version of the Torah, splits significantly from mainstream Judaism, leading to deep animosity.
c. 30s AD
Jesus' Ministry in Samaria
Jesus engages with Samaritans, notably the woman at the well, leading to some belief in Him and His teachings in cities like Sychar.
c. 33-34 AD
Stephen's Ministry and Martyrdom
Stephen, one of the first deacons, preaches powerfully in Jerusalem, leading to his martyrdom and a subsequent persecution of the church.
c. 34 AD— this verse
Persecution and Scattering of Believers
Following Stephen's death, believers are scattered from Jerusalem, except for the apostles, leading Philip to go to Samaria.
c. 34 AD
Philip Preaches in Samaria
Philip the evangelist proclaims Christ in a Samaritan city, encountering Simon, a sorcerer who had previously captivated the people.
c. 34 AD
Simon Magus Believes and is Baptized
Simon the sorcerer, along with many other Samaritans, believes Philip's message and is baptized, though his true motives remain suspect.
c. 40s-60s AD
Simon Magus Develops His Heresy
After his encounter with Philip and the apostles (Peter and John), Simon Magus develops his own Gnostic teachings, becoming a significant heretic in early church history.
This passage warns believers to test the spirits, which directly relates to Simon's deception where people believed he was a 'great power of God' through his sorcery, highlighting the need to discern true spiritual authority from false claims.
2 Thessalonians 2:9This verse speaks of the 'coming of the lawless one' with counterfeit miracles, signs, and wonders, which parallels Simon's use of sorcery to deceive the Samaritans and claim divine power, showing a pattern of deception throughout biblical history.
Matthew 7:22-23Jesus' warning to those who prophesy and perform miracles in his name but are not known by him speaks to the deceptive nature of power not rooted in genuine relationship with God, a theme exemplified by Simon's actions and claims.
Acts 13:6-12The encounter with Elymas the sorcerer in Cyprus, who opposed the apostles and tried to turn Sergius Paulus from the faith, serves as a strong parallel to Simon Magus, showcasing the opposition faced by the early church from those who used deceptive spiritual practices.
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's claim to be "somebody great" wasn't just a boast; it was a carefully crafted performance designed to make the people believe he was a divine manifestation. This sets him up as a stark contrast to Philip, who preaches Christ, positioning Simon as a rival claimant to divine authority, not just a performer of tricks.
Following the persecution after Stephen's death, believers scattered, but Philip the evangelist traveled to Samaria and began proclaiming Christ. His ministry there was met with great success, as he healed the sick and cast out demons, bringing significant joy to the city. However, his work encountered opposition from Simon, a prominent local figure who had long captivated the Samaritans with his sorcery and self-proclaimed greatness.
Following the persecution after Stephen's death, believers scattered, but Philip the evangelist traveled to Samaria and began proclaiming Christ. His ministry there was met with great success, as he healed the sick and cast out demons, bringing significant joy to the city. However, his work encountered opposition from Simon, a prominent local figure who had long captivated the Samaritans with his sorcery and self-proclaimed greatness.
"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. They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man…" — Simon's claim to be "somebody great" wasn't just a boast; it was a carefully crafted performance designed to make the people believe he was a divine manifestation. This sets him up as a stark contras…
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Last reviewed October 2026
