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International Standard Version

Acts 8:20

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]

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.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Then saide Peter vnto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou thinkest that the gift of God may be obteined 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!
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 Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15 They went down and prayed for them to receive the Holy Spirit.Acts 2:38;">[xr] 16 Before this he had not come on any of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38; 10:48;">[xr] 17 Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.Acts 6:6; 19:6; Hebrews 6:2;">[xr] 18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money 19 and said, "Give me this power too, so that when I lay my hands on someone he will receive the Holy Spirit." 20 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] 21 You have no part or share in this matter, because your heart isn't right before God. 22 So repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, this thought of your heart may be forgiven you.Daniel 4:27; 2 Timothy 2:25;">[xr] 23 For I see that you're turning into bitter poison and that you're being chained by wickedness!"Hebrews 12:15;">[xr]

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

Romans 12:1
I therefore urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercies, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices that are holy and pleasing to God, for this is the reasonable way for you to worship.to God, your reasonable worship
">[fn]Psalm 50:13-14; Romans 6:13,16, 19; Romans 6:13,16, 19,1 Corinthians 6:13,20; 2 Corinthians 10:1; Hebrews 10:20; 1 Peter 2:5;">[xr]
Hebrews 13:10
We have an altar, and those who serve in the tabernacle have no right to eat at it.1 Corinthians 9:13; 10:18;">[xr]
1 Peter 2:5
you, too, as living stones, are building yourselves up into a spiritual house and a holy priesthood, so that you may offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.Isaiah 61:6; 66:21; Hosea 14:2; Malachi 1:11; Romans 12:1; Ephesians 2:21-22; Philippians 4:18; Hebrews 3:6; 13:15-16; 1 Peter 4:11; 2:9;">[xr]
1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people to be his very own and to proclaim the wonderful deeds of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.Exodus 19:5-6; Deuteronomy 4:20; 7:6; 10:15; 14:2; 26:18-19; John 17:19; Acts 20:28; 26:18; 1 Corinthians 3:17; Ephesians 1:14; 5:8; Colossians 1:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:4-5; 2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 1:2; Revelation 1:6; 5:10;">[xr]

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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