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Philip in Samaria
…7With loud shrieks, unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed, and many of the paralyzed and lame were healed.8Sothere wasgreatjoyinthatcity.9Prior 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,…

Treasury of Scripture

And there was great joy in that city.

Acts 13:48,52
And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed…

Psalm 96:10-12
Say among the heathenthat the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously…

Psalm 98:2-6
The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen…

CityGreatJoyRejoicingCityGreatJoyRejoicing1.By occasion of the persecution in Jerusalem, the church being planted in Samaria,
4.by Philip the deacon, who preached, did miracles, and baptized many;
9.among the rest Simon the sorcerer, a great seducer of the people;
14.Peter and John come to confirm and enlarge the church;
15.where, by prayer and imposition of hands giving the Holy Spirit;
18.when Simon would have bought the like power of them,
20.Peter sharply reproving his hypocrisy and covetousness,
22.and exhorting him to repentance,
25.together with John preaching the word of the Lord, return to Jerusalem;
26.but the angel sends Philip to teach and baptize the Ethiopian Eunuch.

So there was great joy
The phrase "great joy" reflects the profound impact of the Gospel message and the work of the Holy Spirit. Joy is a recurring theme in the New Testament, often associated with the presence and work of God (Galatians 5:22). This joy is not merely an emotional response but a deep-seated sense of fulfillment and peace that comes from salvation and the presence of the Holy Spirit. The joy experienced here is reminiscent of the joy at the birth of Jesus (Luke 2:10) and the joy of the disciples after the resurrection (John 20:20).

in that city
The city referred to is Samaria, specifically the city of Samaria, which was a significant location in the New Testament. Samaria was historically a region of tension between Jews and Samaritans, stemming from differences in religious practices and historical conflicts (John 4:9). The fact that there was great joy in Samaria signifies the breaking down of these barriers through the Gospel. This event fulfills Jesus' command inActs 1:8 to be witnesses in "Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." The joy in Samaria also prefigures the inclusion of the Gentiles into the early Christian community, highlighting the universal nature of the Gospel message.

1.Philip
One of the seven deacons chosen inActs 6, Philip is now an evangelist spreading the Gospel in Samaria.

2.Samaria
A region historically at odds with the Jews, yet now experiencing a spiritual revival through Philip's ministry.

3.The City
Although not named in this verse, the city in question is part of Samaria, where Philip's preaching and miracles are taking place.

4.The People of Samaria
They are experiencing joy as a result of the Gospel message and the miracles performed by Philip.

5.The Miracles
Acts 8:6-7 describes the signs and wonders performed by Philip, which include healing and exorcisms, leading to the joy mentioned in verse 8.The Power of the Gospel
The Gospel brings transformation and joy wherever it is received. The joy in Samaria is a testament to the life-changing power of the message of Christ.

Breaking Down Barriers
Philip's ministry in Samaria shows that the Gospel transcends cultural and historical barriers, uniting people in the joy of salvation.

The Role of Miracles
Miracles can serve as a catalyst for faith, drawing attention to the message of the Gospel and confirming the truth of God's word.

Joy as a Fruit of the Spirit
The joy experienced by the Samaritans is a reflection of the Holy Spirit's work in their lives, as joy is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22).

Evangelism and Joy
Sharing the Gospel is not only a command but also a source of joy for both the evangelist and the recipients, as seen in Philip's ministry.1.What is the meaning of Acts 8:8?

2.How can we bring "great joy" to our community like in Acts 8:8?

3.What actions led to the "great joy" mentioned in Acts 8:8?

4.How does Acts 8:8 connect with the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20?

5.What role does the Holy Spirit play in spreading joy, as seen in Acts 8:8?

6.How can we ensure our church is a source of "great joy" today?

7.How does Acts 8:8 reflect the impact of the Gospel on a community?

8.What historical evidence supports the events described in Acts 8:8?

9.How does the joy in Acts 8:8 relate to the overall message of the Book of Acts?

10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Acts 8?

11.Revelation 18:8 - Is it scientifically plausible for an entire great city to be consumed by plagues and fire 'in one day'?

12.Does Simon's alleged sorcery in Acts 8:9-24 contradict modern scientific knowledge, or might it be explained as mere trickery?

13.Zechariah 8:4-5: How could elderly men and women thrive in a city with ancient life expectancies and harsh conditions?

14.Who was Simon the Sorcerer in the Bible?So

The verse opens with “So,” a little word that ties this statement to the events just described—Philip’s Spirit-empowered ministry in Samaria (Acts 8:4-7).

• The conjunction signals cause and effect: signs, wonders, and the preaching of Christ produced a tangible result.

• Similar cause-and-effect moments appear inActs 2:41; 11:21, where proclamation leads to response.

• God’s pattern: when His Word is proclaimed faithfully, blessing follows (Isaiah 55:10-11).

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There was

Luke’s wording stresses a real, historical situation, not a vague feeling.

• “There was” underscores the factual nature of the joy—observable, measurable, communal.

• Scripture routinely records concrete outcomes of divine activity, e.g., “there was light” inGenesis 1:3 or “there was a great calm” inMatthew 8:26.

• The phrase reminds us that God’s work produces tangible change in present time, not merely future hope.

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Great joy

The modifier “great” points to an overwhelming, shared delight.

• Joy is a hallmark of the gospel’s advance (Luke 2:10;John 15:11).

• It reflects liberation—demons expelled, the sick healed, souls saved (Acts 8:7).

• Such joy arises when darkness is driven back and people encounter Jesus personally (1 Peter 1:8).

• This is more than emotion; it is the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) manifesting in a community.

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In that city

The joy was not limited to a few individuals but permeated the entire city of Samaria.

• The gospel’s reach is communal as well as personal (Acts 8:14).

• God cares about places as well as people, seeking to transform whole communities (Jeremiah 29:7).

• The once-despised Samaritan city becomes a setting of revival—fulfillingActs 1:8, where Jesus foretold witness “in Samaria.”

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summary

Acts 8:8 records the inevitable overflow of gospel power: real, measurable, city-wide joy. Rooted in Philip’s Christ-centered preaching and authenticated by miraculous works, this joy fulfills Jesus’ promise that the good news brings liberty and gladness wherever it is received. Demons flee, bodies are healed, and hearts rejoice—reminding us that when Christ is proclaimed, great joy can still fill the places we inhabit today.

(8)There was great joy in that city.--This and the whole narrative may well have been learnt by St. Luke from the lips of Philip himself, when St. Paul and his companions visited the Evangelist at Caesarea on his way to Jerusalem (Acts 21:8), or during the Apostle's two years' imprisonment in that city (Acts 24:27), or, we may add, from St. Paul's report of what he had heard when he travelled through Samaria (Acts 15:3).

Verse 8.- Much forgreat, A.V. and T.R.Much joy. The joy was caused partly by the healing of their sick, and partly by the glad tidings of the gospel of peace (comp.Matthew 13:20;1 Peter 1:8).

Parallel Commentaries ...


So
δὲ(de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161:A primary particle; but, and, etc.

there was
ἐγένετο(egeneto)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1096:A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.

great
πολλὴ(pollē)
Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4183:Much, many; often.

joy
χαρὰ(chara)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5479:Joy, gladness, a source of joy. From chairo; cheerfulness, i.e. Calm delight.

in
ἐν(en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

that
ἐκείνῃ(ekeinē)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1565:That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed.

city.
πόλει(polei)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4172:A city, the inhabitants of a city. Probably from the same as polemos, or perhaps from polus; a town.


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