And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

ACTS 8:38KJV
Know the Bible

Acts 8:38 (KJV)

What does Acts 8:38 mean?

Acts 8:38 describes how Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch both went down into the water, and Philip baptized him after the eunuch gave the order for the chariot to stop. This verse shows the moment when the eunuch’s desire to be baptized was fulfilled through Philip’s action.

In this scene, Philip is speaking with the Ethiopian eunuch, a high official traveling home after visiting Jerusalem. After the eunuch expresses faith in Jesus, he asks to be baptized. The verse highlights their immediate response: the chariot is stopped, and both men enter the water together, emphasizing the personal and deliberate nature of the baptism.

The Greek behind Acts 8:38

  • "βαπτίζω" (baptizō): This word means "to baptize" or "to immerse." The Greek here carries the sense of a full ritual washing, which helps explain why both Philip and the eunuch go down into the water together.
  • "ἅρμα" (harma): Translated as "chariot," this word shows the eunuch’s high status and the practical detail that they were traveling when the conversation and baptism took place.
  • "κατέβησαν" (katebēsan): This means "they went down." The use of this word suggests a physical movement into the water, supporting the idea of baptism by immersion.

Why Acts 8:38 matters

  • Acts 8:38 clarifies that baptism in the early church was an immediate response to faith, not something delayed or reserved for a special class of people.
  • The verse emphasizes that both Philip and the eunuch entered the water, which has often been noted in discussions about the mode of baptism.
  • This moment connects to the larger story in Acts, showing the gospel spreading beyond Jewish communities and reaching people from distant nations, represented by the Ethiopian official.

Where else these words appear

“chariot” Greek G716 · used in 4 verses

  • Acts 8:28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
  • Acts 8:29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
  • Revelation 9:9 And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle.

“eunuch” Greek G2135 · used in 6 verses

  • Matthew 19:12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.
  • Acts 8:27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,
  • Acts 8:36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

“both” Greek G297 · used in 14 verses

  • Matthew 9:17 Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.
  • Luke 1:7 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.
  • Luke 7:42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?

“commanded” Greek G2753 · used in 27 verses

  • Matthew 8:18 Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side.
  • Luke 18:40 And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him,
  • Acts 23:3 Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?