He
said, “How can I, unless someone explains it to me?”
Acts 8:31
Acts 8 [27.] He arose and went; and behold, there was a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, who had come to Jerusalem to worship. He was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah.
Acts 8 [29.] The Spirit said to Philip, “Go near, and join yourself to this chariot.”
Acts 8 [30.] Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?”
Acts 8 [31.] He said, “How can I, unless someone explains it to me?” He begged Philip to come up and sit with him. Now the passage of the Scripture which he was reading was this,
“He was led as a sheep to the slaughter.
As a lamb before his shearer is silent,
so he doesn’t open his mouth.
In his humiliation, his judgment was taken away.
Who will declare His generation?
For his life is taken from the earth.”
Acts 8 [34.] The eunuch answered Philip, “Who is the prophet talking about? About himself, or about someone else?”
Acts 8 [35.] Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, preached to him Jesus. As they went on the way, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Behold, here is water. What is keeping me from being baptized?”
Acts 8 [37.] [b] He commanded the chariot to stand still, and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.
Meaning:
- Divine Prompting:
The Spirit said to Philip, 'Go near, and join yourself to this chariot.'
The narrative begins with the Holy Spirit prompting Philip to approach the Ethiopian eunuch's chariot. This highlights the divine orchestration of encounters, demonstrating God's active role in bringing people together for a purpose.
- Engaging in Dialogue:
Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, 'Do you understand what you are reading?'
Philip's immediate response to engage in dialogue reveals a willingness to connect with the eunuch and assess his understanding of the Scriptures. This sets the stage for a meaningful exchange.
- Seeking Understanding:
He said, 'How can I, unless someone explains it to me?' He begged Philip to come up and sit with him.
The humility of the Ethiopian eunuch is evident as he acknowledges his need for guidance in understanding the Scriptures. He invites Philip to join him, demonstrating a receptive heart.
- Scriptural Passage:
Now the passage of the Scripture which he was reading was this...
The passage from Isaiah 53:7-8, describing the suffering and silence of the Servant, becomes the focal point of the conversation. This Old Testament prophecy serves as a gateway to understanding the identity of Jesus.
- Questioning and Revelation:
The eunuch answered Philip, 'Who is the prophet talking about? About himself, or about someone else?' Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, preached to him Jesus.
The eunuch's question becomes the catalyst for Philip to share the Gospel. Philip, starting from the Scriptural passage, unveils the significance of Jesus as the fulfillment of the prophecy, emphasizing His sacrificial death.
- Significance:
Divine Appointments: The passage underscores the divine orchestration of encounters. Philip's prompt obedience to the Spirit's leading and the eunuch's receptive heart highlight the concept of divine appointments. In our lives, certain encounters may be orchestrated by God for specific purposes.
Willingness to Engage: Philip's immediate approach and question demonstrate the importance of being willing to engage with others in matters of faith. Meaningful dialogue often begins with a genuine interest in others' understanding and a readiness to share our own insights.
Humility and Seeking Understanding: The humility of the Ethiopian eunuch in seeking understanding serves as a model for believers. Acknowledging our need for guidance and actively seeking to comprehend the Scriptures opens the door to transformative encounters with God.
Christ in the Scriptures: The central theme of Philip's teaching is Jesus Christ. Beginning with the Old Testament prophecy, Philip reveals Jesus as the fulfillment of Scripture. This reinforces the foundational truth that the entirety of the Bible points to the redemptive work of Christ.
Relevance for Today:
Divinely Directed Conversations: Acts 8 encourages believers to be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit in their interactions with others. Like Philip, we may find ourselves in divinely directed conversations that lead to transformative encounters.
Willingness to Share: The passage challenges believers to be willing to engage in conversations about faith. Philip's question, "Do you understand what you are reading?" prompts us to initiate discussions that can lead to a deeper understanding of God's Word.
Christ-Centered Teaching: Just as Philip centered his teaching on Jesus Christ, believers are called to present Christ as the focal point of the Scriptures. The Gospel message, rooted in the Old and New Testaments, remains the transformative message for all.
Cross-References:
Isaiah 53:7-8: "He was oppressed, yet when he was afflicted he didn’t open his mouth. As a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and as a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he didn’t open his mouth." This passage from Isaiah, quoted in Acts 8, highlights the prophetic nature of the Old Testament Scriptures regarding the suffering and silence of the Messiah.
Luke 24:27: "Beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he explained to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself." In the post-resurrection encounter on the road to Emmaus, Jesus Himself expounded on the Scriptures, emphasizing their fulfillment in Him. This aligns with Philip's approach in Acts 8.
In Our Daily Lives: Acts 8:29-35 inspires us to be open to divine appointments, willing to engage in meaningful dialogue, and intentional in pointing others to the transformative message of Jesus Christ.
immigration - kings & queens
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible