Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

ACTS 8:5KJV
Know the Bible

Acts 8:5 (KJV)

What does Acts 8:5 mean?

Acts 8:5 describes how Philip traveled to the city of Samaria and began openly telling the people there about Jesus Christ. This verse marks the start of Philip’s ministry in Samaria, where he shared the message about Jesus with those who had not yet heard it.

Philip, one of the early followers of Jesus, is shown leaving Jerusalem after a time of trouble and going to Samaria, a region often seen as separate from the Jewish heartland. The verse highlights a turning point where the message about Jesus begins to spread beyond Jerusalem to new places and people. The focus is on Philip’s action of preaching, which means he was publicly announcing and explaining who Jesus is to the Samaritan people.

The Greek behind Acts 8:5

  • "Preached" (ἐκήρυσσεν, kēryssen): This Greek word carries the sense of proclaiming or announcing something important in a public way, much like a herald. It suggests that Philip was not just having private conversations but was boldly and openly declaring the news about Jesus.
  • "Christ" (Χριστός, Christos): This word means "the Anointed One" or "Messiah." By using this title, the verse shows that Philip was specifically telling the Samaritans that Jesus is the promised Savior, not just a good teacher or prophet.
  • "Samaria" (Σαμάρεια, Samareia): The mention of this city is significant because Samaritans and Jews often had strained relations. Philip’s choice to go there shows the early Christian message crossing cultural and religious boundaries.

Why Acts 8:5 matters

  • Acts 8:5 shows the early Christian movement beginning to reach beyond Jewish communities, highlighting the growing and inclusive nature of the message about Jesus.
  • The verse sets the stage for the rest of the chapter, where many Samaritans respond to Philip’s preaching, showing that the message of Jesus was meant for all kinds of people.
  • By noting Philip’s bold public proclamation, Acts 8:5 emphasizes the importance of sharing the message about Jesus openly, even in places where it might not be expected.

Where else these words appear

“Samaria” Greek G4540 · used in 11 verses

  • Luke 17:11 And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.
  • John 4:7 There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.
  • Acts 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:

“down” Greek G2718 · used in 13 verses

  • Luke 4:31 And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days.
  • Acts 12:19 And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there abode.
  • Acts 18:22 And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch.

“Philip” Greek G5376 · used in 37 verses

  • Matthew 10:3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
  • John 1:46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.
  • Acts 8:13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

“preached” Greek G2784 · used in 60 verses

  • Matthew 3:1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
  • Mark 13:10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations.
  • Romans 2:21 Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?