And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

ACTS 8:25KJV
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Acts 8:25 (KJV)

What does Acts 8:25 mean?

Acts 8:25 describes how, after Peter and John had finished sharing their testimony and teaching about Jesus, they returned to Jerusalem, spreading the message about Jesus in many Samaritan villages along the way. The verse highlights their continued commitment to sharing the gospel beyond just one location.

Peter and John were two of Jesus’ closest followers. In this part of Acts, they had traveled from Jerusalem to Samaria because people there had started believing in Jesus. After confirming and encouraging the new believers, they didn’t just go straight home—they took the opportunity to tell even more Samaritan villages about Jesus as they returned, showing the expanding reach of the early Christian message.

The Greek behind Acts 8:25

  • "Testified" (διεμαρτύραντο, diemartyranto): This word means to bear witness or give a strong, solemn testimony. Here, it suggests that Peter and John were not just casually talking but giving a serious, personal witness about Jesus.
  • "Preached" (ἐλάλησαν, elalēsan): This word means to speak or proclaim. The sense here is that they were actively communicating the message, not just in formal sermons but in conversation and teaching.
  • "Gospel" (εὐηγγελίζοντο, euēngelizonto): This word means to bring good news or announce glad tidings. It emphasizes that what Peter and John shared was joyful news, not just information or doctrine.
  • "Samaritans" (Σαμαρειτῶν, Samareitōn): Naming the Samaritans is significant because Jews and Samaritans had a long history of tension. The verse shows the gospel crossing old boundaries.

Why Acts 8:25 matters

  • Acts 8:25 shows that the early Christian message was not limited to Jerusalem or to Jewish people; it was already spreading to other groups, including the Samaritans.
  • The verse highlights the active role of Peter and John in personally sharing the message, not just overseeing or delegating the work.
  • This moment connects to the larger story of Acts, where the gospel moves outward from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, and eventually to the wider world, fulfilling Jesus’ words in Acts 1:8.

Where else these words appear

“Samaritans” Greek G4541 · used in 9 verses

  • Matthew 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
  • Luke 10:33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
  • John 4:39 And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.

“testified” Greek G1263 · used in 15 verses

  • Luke 16:28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
  • Acts 20:21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
  • 1 Thessalonians 4:6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.

“villages” Greek G2968 · used in 27 verses

  • Matthew 9:35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
  • Mark 8:26 And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town.
  • Luke 10:38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

“returned” Greek G5290 · used in 35 verses

  • Mark 14:40 And when he returned, he found them asleep again,(for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.
  • Luke 9:10 And the apostles, when they were returned, told him all that they had done. And he took them, and went aside privately into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida.
  • Acts 1:12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.