Sorcerer in Samaria who tried to buy the Holy Spirit's power.
Simon
Named in 4 verses of Acts, first in Acts 8:9.
ΣίμωνSimon
The name means “that hears; that obeys.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869
About Simon Written by AI
Simon, often referred to as Simon Magus or Simon the Sorcerer, was a man living in Samaria who practiced sorcery and amazed the people with his magic (Acts 8:9). When Philip came to Samaria preaching the gospel, Simon believed and was baptized along with many others (Acts 8:13). However, when the apostles Peter and John arrived and laid hands on the believers to receive the Holy Spirit, Simon offered them money, wanting to buy the power to impart the Holy Spirit to others (Acts 8:18 to 19). Peter sternly rebuked Simon for his attempt to purchase God's gift with money, telling him to repent of his wickedness and pray for forgiveness (Acts 8:20 to 23). Simon, frightened by Peter's words, asked the apostles to pray for him (Acts 8:24). This account serves as a warning against the sin of simony (attempting to buy or sell spiritual gifts or offices) and emphasizes that God's gifts cannot be obtained through material means but are freely given by His grace.
Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.
Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897
This entry is on the name Simon, and may cover more than one person or place by that name.
The abbreviated form of Simeon. (1.) One of the twelve apostles, called the Canaanite (Matt. 10:4; Mark 3:18). This word “Canaanite” does not mean a native of Canaan, but is derived from the Syriac word Kanean or Kaneniah, which was the name of a Jewish sect. The Revised Version has “Cananaean;” marg., “or Zealot” He is also called “Zelotes” (Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13; R.V., “the Zealot”), because previous to his call to the apostleship he had been a member of the fanatical sect of the Zealots. There is no record regarding him.
(2.) The father of Judas Iscariot (John 6:71; 13:2, 26).
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(3.) One of the brothers of our Lord (Matt. 13:55; Mark 6:3).
(4.) A Pharisee in whose house “a woman of the city which was a sinner” anointed our Lord’s feet with ointment (Luke 7:36-38).
(5.) A leper of Bethany, in whose house Mary anointed our Lord’s head with ointment “as he sat at meat” (Matt. 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9).
(6.) A Jew of Cyrene, in North Africa, then a province of Libya. A hundred thousand Jews from Palestine had been settled in this province by Ptolemy Soter (B.C. 323-285), where by this time they had greatly increased in number. They had a synagogue in Jerusalem for such of their number as went thither to the annual feasts. Simon was seized by the soldiers as the procession wended its way to the place of crucifixion as he was passing by, and the heavy cross which Christ from failing strength could no longer bear was laid on his shoulders. Perhaps they seized him because he showed sympathy with Jesus. He was the “father of Alexander and Rufus” (Matt. 27:32). Possibly this Simon may have been one of the “men of Cyrene” who preached the word to the Greeks (Acts 11:20).
(7.) A sorcerer of great repute for his magical arts among the Samaritans (Acts 8:9-11). He afterwards became a professed convert to the faith under the preaching of Philip the deacon and evangelist (12, 13). His profession was, however, soon found to be hollow. His conduct called forth from Peter a stern rebuke (8:18-23). From this moment he disappears from the Church’s history. The term “Simony,” as denoting the purchase for money of spiritual offices, is derived from him.
(8.) A Christian at Joppa, a tanner by trade, with whom Peter on one occasion lodged (Acts 9:43).
(9.) Simon Peter (Matt. 4:18). See PETER.
M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.
Where the Bible names him
- Acts 8:9
Prior to that time, a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and astounded the people of Samaria. He claimed to be someone great,
- Acts 8:13
Even Simon himself believed and was baptized. He followed Philip closely and was astounded by the great signs and miracles he observed.
- Acts 8:18
When Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money.
- Acts 8:24
Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me, so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”
From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.