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Wednesday, August 27th, 2025
the Week of Proper 16 / Ordinary 21
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Geneva Bible

Acts 8:20

Then saide Peter vnto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou thinkest that the gift of God may be obteined with money.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Covetousness;   Holy Spirit;   Hypocrisy;   Integrity;   Minister, Christian;   Miracles;   Money;   Peter;   Reproof;   Samaria;   Simon;   Scofield Reference Index - Churches;   Gospel;   Thompson Chain Reference - Fall;   Peter;   Simon Peter;   Temptation;   The Topic Concordance - Giving and Gifts;   Perishing;   Wealth;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Gifts of God, the;   Hypocrites;   Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit;   Offences against the Holy Spirit;   Reproof;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Gifts;   Peter;   Samaria;   Simon;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Gifts of the spirit;   Peter;   Simon;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Discipline;   Magic;   Money;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Gift;   Magic;   Peter;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Baptism;   Elisha;   Miracles;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Acts;   Apostles;   Hebrews;   Simon;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Gnosticism;   Jude, Epistle of;   Mark, Gospel According to;   Peter;   Simon Magus;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Anger;   Excommunication;   Gift;   Hellenism;   Peter;   Sacraments;   Separation;   Simon Magus;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Philip ;   Simon ;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Apostle;   Si'mon;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Simon Maccabaeus;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Kingdom or Church of Christ, the;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Damn;   Excommunication;   Money;   Peter, the First Epistle of;   Purchase;   Simon Magus;   Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia - Balaam;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Bar Jesus;   Simon Cephas;   Simon Magus;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
But Peter told him, “May your silver be destroyed with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!
King James Version (1611)
But Peter said vnto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
King James Version
But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
English Standard Version
But Peter said to him, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!
New American Standard Bible
But Peter said to him, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could acquire the gift of God with money!
New Century Version
Peter said to him, "You and your money should both be destroyed, because you thought you could buy God's gift with money.
Amplified Bible
But Peter said to him, "May your money be destroyed along with you, because you thought you could buy the [free] gift of God with money!
New American Standard Bible (1995)
But Peter said to him, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!
Legacy Standard Bible
But Peter said to him, "May your silver perish with you, because you supposed you could obtain the gift of God with money!
Berean Standard Bible
But Peter replied, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!
Contemporary English Version
Peter said to him, "You and your money will both end up in hell if you think you can buy God's gift!
Complete Jewish Bible
But Kefa said to him, "Your silver go to ruin — and you with it, for thinking the free gift of God can be bought!
Darby Translation
And Peter said to him, Thy money go with thee to destruction, because thou hast thought that the gift of God can be obtained by money.
Easy-to-Read Version
Peter said to Simon, "You and your money should both be destroyed because you thought you could buy God's gift with money.
George Lamsa Translation
Simon Peter said to him, Let your money perish with you because you have thought that the gift of God may be purchased with wealth.
Good News Translation
But Peter answered him, "May you and your money go to hell, for thinking that you can buy God's gift with money!
Lexham English Bible
But Peter said to him, "May your silver be destroyed along with you, because you thought you could acquire the gift of God by means of money!
Literal Translation
But Peter said to him, May your silver be with you into perdition, because you thought to get the gift of God through money.
American Standard Version
But Peter said unto him, Thy silver perish with thee, because thou hast thought to obtain the gift of God with money.
Bible in Basic English
But Peter said, May your money come to destruction with you, because you had the idea that what is freely given by God may be got for a price.
Hebrew Names Version
But Kefa said to him, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!
International Standard Version
But Peter said to him, "May your money perish with you because you thought you could obtain God's free gift with money!2 Kings 5:16; Matthew 10:8; Acts 2:38; 10:45; 11:17;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
Shemun Kipha said to him, Thy silver go with thee into perdition, because thou thoughtest that the gift of Aloha with the possessions of the world might he obtained.
Murdock Translation
Simon Cephas said to him: Thy money go with thee to perdition ! because thou hast supposed, that the gift of God may be purchased by a worldly substance.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
But Peter sayde vnto him: Thy money perishe with thee, because thou hast thought that the gyfte of God may be obteyned with money.
English Revised Version
But Peter said unto him, Thy silver perish with thee, because thou hast thought to obtain the gift of God with money.
World English Bible
But Peter said to him, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
But Peter said to him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought to purchase the gift of God with money.
Weymouth's New Testament
"Perish your money and yourself," replied Peter, "because you have imagined that you can obtain God's free gift with money!
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
But Petir seide to hym, Thi money be with thee into perdicioun, for thou gessidist the yifte of God schulde be had for monei.
Update Bible Version
But Peter said to him, Your silver perish with you, because you have thought to obtain the gift of God with money.
Webster's Bible Translation
But Peter said to him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
New English Translation
But Peter said to him, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could acquire God's gift with money!
New King James Version
But Peter said to him, "Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money!
New Living Translation
But Peter replied, "May your money be destroyed with you for thinking God's gift can be bought!
New Life Bible
Peter said to him, "May your money be destroyed with you because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!
New Revised Standard
But Peter said to him, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain God's gift with money!
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And Peter said unto him - Thy silver, with thee, go to destruction! Because, the free-gift of God, thou didst suppose could, with money, be obtained!
Douay-Rheims Bible
Keep thy money to thyself, to perish with thee: because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
Revised Standard Version
But Peter said to him, "Your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Then sayde Peter vnto him: thy monye perysh with the because thou wenest that the gifte of God maye be obteyned wt money.
Young's Literal Translation
And Peter said unto him, `Thy silver with thee -- may it be to destruction! because the gift of God thou didst think to possess through money;
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Howbeit Peter sayde vnto him: Perishe thou with thy money, because thou thinkest that ye gifte of God maye be optayned with money.
Mace New Testament (1729)
but Peter said unto him, thy money perish with thee, for thinking that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
THE MESSAGE
Peter said, "To hell with your money! And you along with it. Why, that's unthinkable—trying to buy God's gift! You'll never be part of what God is doing by striking bargains and offering bribes. Change your ways—and now! Ask the Master to forgive you for trying to use God to make money. I can see this is an old habit with you; you reek with money-lust."
Simplified Cowboy Version
But Pete answered, "To hell with you and your money. You can't buy this.

Contextual Overview

14 Nowe when the Apostles, which were at Hierusalem, heard say, that Samaria had receiued the worde of God, they sent vnto them Peter and Iohn. 15 Which whe they were come downe, prayed for them, that they might receiue the holy Ghost. 16 (For as yet, hee was fallen downe on none of them, but they were baptized onely in the Name of the Lord Iesus.) 17 Then layd they their handes on them, and they receiued the holy Ghost. 18 And when Simon sawe, that through laying on of the Apostles hands the holy Ghost was giuen, he offred them money, 19 Saying, Giue mee also this power, that on whomsoeuer I lay the handes, he may receiue the holy Ghost. 20 Then saide Peter vnto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou thinkest that the gift of God may be obteined with money. 21 Thou hast neither part nor fellowship in this businesse: for thine heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this thy wickednes, and pray God, that if it be possible, the thought of thine heart may be forgiuen thee. 23 For I see that thou art in the gall of bitternes, and in the bonde of iniquitie.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Thy: Acts 1:18, Deuteronomy 7:26, Joshua 7:24, Joshua 7:25, 2 Kings 5:26, 2 Kings 5:27, Daniel 5:17, Habakkuk 2:9, Habakkuk 2:10, Zechariah 5:4, Matthew 27:3-5, 1 Timothy 6:9, James 5:3, 2 Peter 2:14-17, Revelation 18:15

thou: Acts 8:22, Deuteronomy 15:9, 2 Kings 5:15, 2 Kings 5:16, Proverbs 15:26, Matthew 15:19

the gift: Acts 2:38, Acts 10:45, Acts 11:17, Matthew 10:8

Reciprocal: Numbers 16:26 - I pray you Numbers 22:18 - I cannot Numbers 24:11 - the Lord 2 Kings 2:24 - cursed them Proverbs 1:19 - every Isaiah 59:7 - their thoughts Matthew 9:4 - Wherefore Matthew 22:12 - how Luke 13:15 - Thou hypocrite Luke 22:5 - and covenanted Acts 13:10 - O full 2 Corinthians 6:15 - or Hebrews 6:4 - and have 1 Peter 1:7 - that

Cross-References

Genesis 4:4
And Habel also him selfe brought of the first fruites of his sheepe, and of the fat of them, and the Lorde had respect vnto Habel, and to his offering,
Genesis 7:2
Of euery cleane beast thou shalt take to thee by seuens, the male & his female: but of vncleane beastes by couples, the male & his female.
Genesis 8:1
Nowe God remembred Noah and euery beast, and all the cattell that was with him in the Arke: therefore God made a winde to passe vpon the earth, and the waters ceased.
Genesis 8:4
And in the seuenth moneth, in the seuenteenth day of the moneth, the Arke rested vpon the mountaines of Ararat.
Genesis 8:7
And sent forth a rauen, which went out going forth and returning, vntill the waters were dried vp vpon the earth.
Genesis 8:8
Againe he sent a doue from him, that he might see if the waters were diminished from off the earth.
Genesis 8:15
Then God spake to Noah, saying,
Genesis 8:16
Goe forth of the Arke, thou & thy wife, and thy sonnes and thy sonnes wiues with thee.
Genesis 8:17
Bring forth with thee euery beast that is with thee, of all flesh, both foule and cattell, and euery thing that creepeth and moueth vpon the earth, yt they may breede abundantly in ye earth, and bring forth fruite & increase vpon ye earth.
Genesis 13:4
Vnto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the Name of the Lord.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

But Peter said to him,.... With great abhorrence and indignation, resenting and detesting his proposal:

thy money perish with thee; or "go into destruction with thee"; signifying, that he would not touch his money, or have anything to do with that or him either, in any such way: the words do not so much design an imprecation on his person, as an abhorrence of his sin; and rather show what his sin deserved than what he desired might be; for the apostle did not simply wish his damnation, since he afterwards exhorts him to repentance, and to pray for forgiveness; but threatens, and even predicts what would be his case, should he live and die in such a state, in which he appeared to be:

because thou hast thought that the gift of God; the Holy Ghost, and his extraordinary gifts, which are freely given, when and to whom the Lord himself pleases:

may be purchased with money; he appears to have a wrong notion of the Spirit of God and his gifts, and of the grace of in bestowing them; as well as a wicked design of purchasing them with money, in order to sell them again; so that it was a sullying and lessening of the grace of God, as well as seeking himself, his own ambition, and filthy lucre: and let such observe how near they come to his sin, who seek to obtain the grace of justification, and the free gift of eternal life, by their own works.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Thy money perish with thee - This is expressive of the horror and indignation of Peter at the base offer of Simon. It is not to be understood as an imprecation on Simon. The main idea is the apostle’s contempt for the “money,” as if he regarded it as of no value. “Let your money go to destruction. We abhor your impious offer. We can freely see “any” amount of money destroyed before we will be tempted to sell the gift of the Holy Spirit. But there was here also an expression of his belief that “Simon” also would perish. It was a declaration that he was hastening to ruin, and as if this was certain, Peter says, let your money perish “too.”

The gift of God - That which he has “given,” or conferred as a favor. The idea was absurd that what God himself gave as a sovereign could be purchased. It was “impious” to think of attempting to buy with worthless gold what was of so inestimable value. The “gift of God” here means the extraordinary influences of the Holy Spirit, Acts 10:45; Acts 11:17. How can we pay a “price” to God? All that “we” can give, the silver, and the gold, and the cattle on a thousand hills, belong to him already. We have “nothing” which we can present for his favors. And yet there are many who seek to “purchase” the favor of God. Some do it by alms and prayers; some by penance and fasting; some by attempting to make their own hearts better, and by self-righteousness; and some by penitence and tears. All these will not “purchase” his favor. Salvation, like every other blessing, will be “his gift”; and if ever received, we must be willing to accept it on his own terms; at his own time; in his own way. We are without merit; and if saved, it will be by the sovereign grace of God.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Acts 8:20. Thy money perish with thee — This is an awful declaration; and imports thus much, that if he did not repent, he and his ill-gotten goods would perish together; his money should be dissipated, and his soul go into perdition.

That the gift of God may be purchased — Peter takes care to inform not only Simon, but all to whom these presents may come, that the Spirit of God is the gift of God alone, and consequently cannot be purchased with money; for what reward can HE receive from his creatures, to whom the silver and the gold belong, the cattle on a thousand hills, the earth and its fulness!


 
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