Acts 8:9

8:9 Now in that city was a man named Simon, who had been practicing magic ¹  and amazing the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great.

Acts 8:13

8:13 Even Simon himself believed, and after he was baptized, he stayed close to ²  Philip constantly, and when he saw the signs and great miracles that were occurring, he was amazed. ³ 

Acts 8:18

8:18 Now Simon, when he saw that the Spirit ⁴  was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, offered them money,

Acts 8:24

8:24 But Simon replied, ⁵  “You pray to the Lord for me so that nothing of what you have said may happen to ⁶  me.”

¹ tn On the idiom προϋπῆρχεν μαγεύων (prouphrcen mageuwn) meaning “had been practicing magic” see BDAG 889 s.v. προϋπάρχω.

² tn Or “he kept close company with.”

³ sn He was amazed. Now Simon, the one who amazed others, is himself amazed, showing the superiority of Philip’s connection to God. Christ is better than anything the culture has to offer.

³ tc Most witnesses (Ì^45,74 A* C D E Ψ 33 1739 Ï latt sy bo) here read “the Holy Spirit” (τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον, to pneuma to {agion), while a few key mss have simply τὸ πνεῦμα (א A^c B sa mae). Although it is possible that some scribes omitted τὸ ἅγιον because of its perceived superfluity (note vv. 15, 17, 19), it is far more likely that others added the adjective out of pious motives.

⁴ tn Grk “Simon answered and said.”

⁵ tn Grk “may come upon.”