Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

ACTS 8:15KJV
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Acts 8:15 (KJV)

What does Acts 8:15 mean?

Acts 8:15 describes how Peter and John, after arriving in Samaria, prayed for the new believers so that they would receive the Holy Spirit. The verse highlights the apostles’ concern that these followers, though already believing in Jesus, had not yet received the Holy Spirit.

Peter and John had traveled from Jerusalem to Samaria after hearing that people there had accepted God’s message. In this moment, they are acting as leaders, praying specifically for the Samaritans to receive the Holy Spirit, which had not yet happened for these believers. This sets up the following verses, where the Holy Spirit comes upon the Samaritans through the apostles’ prayers and laying on of hands.

The Greek behind Acts 8:15

  • προσηύξαντο (proseuchomai, “prayed”): This word often means to earnestly ask or petition God, showing that Peter and John were intentionally seeking something specific for the Samaritans, not just offering a general prayer.
  • λάβωσιν (labōsin, “receive”): The Greek here carries the sense of actively taking hold of or being given something. It emphasizes that the Holy Spirit is not just present but is something to be received in a real and personal way.
  • Πνεῦμα (Pneuma, “Ghost/Spirit”): This word means “spirit” or “breath,” and in this context, it refers specifically to the Holy Spirit, the presence of God given to believers.

Why Acts 8:15 matters

  • Acts 8:15 clarifies that belief in Jesus and receiving the Holy Spirit were sometimes distinct experiences in the early church, especially as the gospel spread beyond Jerusalem.
  • The verse shows the apostles’ active role in praying for and supporting new believers, highlighting the importance of community and leadership in spiritual growth.
  • This moment marks a key step in the book of Acts, as the Holy Spirit is given to non-Jewish believers, showing the expanding reach of the early Christian movement.

Where else these words appear

“that” Greek G3704 · used in 55 verses

  • Matthew 2:8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
  • Mark 3:6 And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.
  • Acts 23:15 Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would enquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.

“down” Greek G2597 · used in 80 verses

  • Matthew 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
  • Luke 19:6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
  • Acts 10:21 Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?

“prayed” Greek G4336 · used in 82 verses

  • Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
  • Luke 5:16 And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.
  • Acts 20:36 And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.

“Who” Greek G3748 · used in 148 verses

  • Matthew 2:6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
  • John 8:53 Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?
  • Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,