Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch
Philip, led by the Spirit, explains Isaiah's prophecy to an Ethiopian official and baptizes him on the desert road to Gaza.
Acts 8:26-40
Take the Acts 8 Quiz
Test your knowledge of this chapter
Explore Acts Chapters
Study all chapters of Acts
The Story
The angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, directing him to arise and journey toward Gaza along the desert road. This divine appointment was no accident—God was orchestrating a meeting that would carry the gospel into Africa. Philip obeyed immediately.
As Philip drew near, he encountered a man of great authority: an Ethiopian eunuch, a treasurer under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This official had traveled hundreds of miles to worship in Jerusalem. Returning homeward in his chariot, he was reading from the prophet Isaiah.
The Spirit prompted Philip to join himself to the chariot. Philip heard the eunuch reading aloud and asked, 'Understandest thou what thou readest?' The eunuch's response revealed humility: 'How can I, except some man should guide me?'
Philip began at that very scripture—Isaiah 53:7-8—and preached unto him Jesus. As they journeyed, they came upon water, and the eunuch said, 'See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?' Philip answered that if he believed with all his heart, he might. The eunuch confessed, 'I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.'
They went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. When they came up, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, and the eunuch saw him no more—yet he went on his way rejoicing.
Philip Helps the Ethiopian Understand
Kids Version
One day, an angel gave Philip a special message: 'Go to the road that goes down to Gaza.' Philip didn't know why, but he obeyed right away. As he walked along the dusty desert road, he saw a fancy chariot. Inside sat a very important man from Ethiopia. He was the queen's treasurer!
The Ethiopian man was reading from the book of Isaiah. God's Spirit whispered to Philip, 'Go over and walk beside that chariot.' When Philip got close, he heard the man reading out loud about a sheep being led to be killed.
Philip asked, 'Do you understand what you're reading?' The man said, 'How can I unless someone helps me? Please, come sit with me and explain it!'
Philip climbed into the chariot and said, 'This is talking about Jesus! Let me tell you all about Him.' Philip explained how Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again.
As they traveled, they came to some water. The man got excited and said, 'Look! There's water! Can I be baptized right now?' Philip said, 'Yes, if you believe in Jesus with all your heart.' The man answered, 'I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God!'
They both went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. Then something amazing happened! God's Spirit suddenly took Philip away to another place. The Ethiopian man couldn't see Philip anymore, but he was so happy that he kept traveling home with a big smile, rejoicing because he now knew Jesus!
Ready to test your knowledge?
See how well you know this story from Acts.
Characters in This Story
Settings & Locations
Scripture — Acts 8:26-40 (KJV)
26And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.
27And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,
28Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
29Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
30And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
31And he said, How can I , except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
32The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
33In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.
34And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?
35Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
36And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
38And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
39And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
40But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.
Memory Verse
“And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.”
— Acts 8:26 (KJV)
Test Your Knowledge
How well do you know the story of “Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch”? Take the quiz to find out.
More from Early Church
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story of “Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch” in the Bible?
Philip, led by the Spirit, explains Isaiah's prophecy to an Ethiopian official and baptizes him on the desert road to Gaza. This story is found in Acts 8:26-40.
Where is “Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch” found in the Bible?
“Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch” is found in Acts 8:26-40, in the book of Acts.
What can children learn from “Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch”?
This story teaches children about Evangelism, Holy Spirit Guidance, Scripture Fulfillment, Baptism, Divine Appointments. An angel tells Philip to go to a desert road where he meets an important man from Ethiopia who needs help understanding the Bible.