Acts 8:18-20

8:18 Now Simon, when he saw that the Spirit ¹  was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, offered them money, 8:19 saying, “Give me this power ²  too, so that everyone I place my hands on may receive the Holy Spirit.” 8:20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, ³  because you thought you could acquire ⁴  God’s gift with money!

[8:18]  ¹ 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.

[8:19]  ² tn Or “ability”; Grk “authority.”

[8:20]  ³ tn Grk “May your silver together with you be sent into destruction.” This is a strong curse. The gifts of God are sovereignly bestowed and cannot be purchased.

[8:20]  ⁴ tn Or “obtain.”