King James Version

What Does Acts 8:6 Mean?

Acts 8:6 in the King James Version says “And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake , hearing and seeing the miracles which he...” — study this verse from Acts chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake , hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.”

Acts 8:6 · KJV

Context

4

Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

5

Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

6

And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake , hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

7

For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.

8

And there was great joy in that city.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. This verse captures a pivotal moment in the early church's expansion as Philip the evangelist brings the gospel to Samaria. The phrase "with one accord" (homothumadon, ὁμοθυμαδόν) indicates unanimous, harmonious agreement—a term Luke uses frequently in Acts to describe the unity of believers or seekers responding to God's work.

The verb "gave heed" (prosechō, προσέχω) means to pay close attention, to devote oneself to, or to be absorbed by something. This wasn't casual interest but focused, sustained attention to Philip's preaching. The people's response was twofold: "hearing" (akouō, ἀκούω) the verbal proclamation of the gospel, and "seeing" (blepō, βλέπω) the confirming miracles. This pattern reflects Jesus' own ministry and validates the apostolic witness.

The miracles (sēmeia, σημεῖα, "signs") weren't mere displays of power but authentication of Philip's message about Christ. The combination of word and wonder demonstrates God's pattern for missionary advance: proclamation confirmed by divine power. This broke down centuries of Samaritan-Jewish hostility, fulfilling Jesus' prophecy in Acts 1:8 that the gospel would reach Samaria. The unified response indicates the Spirit's sovereign work in preparing hearts for the gospel message.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Samaria occupied the region between Judea and Galilee, populated by descendants of Israelites who had intermarried with foreign settlers after the Assyrian conquest (722 BCE). Jews viewed Samaritans as religious and ethnic heretics who worshiped on Mount Gerizim rather than Jerusalem. The animosity was so intense that Jews typically avoided Samaritan territory entirely when traveling between Judea and Galilee.

Philip's ministry represented a revolutionary breakthrough. This was likely Philip the evangelist (one of the seven deacons, Acts 6:5), not Philip the apostle. His preaching followed the scattering of believers after Stephen's martyrdom (Acts 8:1-4), demonstrating how persecution advanced the gospel. The Samaritans' acceptance of the message fulfilled Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman (John 4) and His commission to be witnesses "in Samaria" (Acts 1:8).

The unified response "with one accord" was remarkable given Samaria's history of religious syncretism and the presence of Simon the sorcerer (Acts 8:9-11), who had previously captivated the population. Philip's miracles—casting out demons and healing the paralyzed and lame—authenticated the gospel message and demonstrated God's power over the spiritual forces that had held Samaria captive.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the combination of hearing God's Word and seeing His power work together in authentic gospel witness today?
  2. What barriers (like the Jewish-Samaritan divide) does the gospel need to cross in our contemporary context?
  3. How does the phrase 'with one accord' challenge our understanding of genuine spiritual unity versus mere agreement?
  4. In what ways do we need both the verbal proclamation and the demonstration of God's power in our witness?
  5. How does Philip's ministry to the Samaritans reflect Jesus' command in Acts 1:8, and what does this mean for cross-cultural mission?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 20 words
προσεῖχον1 of 20

“gave heed”

G4337

(figuratively) to hold the mind (3563 implied) towards, i.e., pay attention to, be cautious about, apply oneself to, adhere to

τὲ2 of 20

“And”

G5037

both or also (properly, as correlation of g2532)

οἱ3 of 20
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὄχλοι4 of 20

“the people”

G3793

a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot

τοῖς5 of 20
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

λεγομένοις6 of 20

“spake”

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

ὑπὸ7 of 20
G5259

under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (

τοῦ8 of 20
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Φιλίππου9 of 20

“unto those things which Philip”

G5376

fond of horses; philippus, the name of four israelites

ὁμοθυμαδὸν10 of 20

“with one accord”

G3661

unanimously

ἐν11 of 20

“hearing”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῷ12 of 20
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀκούειν13 of 20
G191

to hear (in various senses)

αὐτοὺς14 of 20
G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ15 of 20

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

βλέπειν16 of 20

“seeing”

G991

to look at (literally or figuratively)

τὰ17 of 20
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

σημεῖα18 of 20

“the miracles”

G4592

an indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally

ἃ19 of 20

“which”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἐποίει·20 of 20

“he did”

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 8:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 8:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

John 4:41-42Matthew 20:15-16Acts 13:442 Chronicles 30:12

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