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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadCambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - Acts 8:39 - 8:39
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39. πνεῦμα κυρίου κ.τ.λ., the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip. Just as Obadiah expected that Elijah would be carried away while he himself went on his errand to Ahab (1Ki 18:12). Compare the language of Ezekiel (Act 3:12; Act 3:14, Act 8:3, &c.), ‘So the spirit lifted me up (ἀνέλαβε) and took me away.
Chrysostom says of this removal of Philip: συμφερόντως οὖν ἤρπασεν αὐτὸν τὸ πνεῦμα, ἐπεὶ ἠξίωσεν ἂν καὶ συνεπανελθεῖν αὐτῷ ὁ εὐνοῦχος, ὃν καὶ ἐλύπησεν ἂν ἐκεῖνος, ἀνανεύσας καὶ ἀρνησάμενος οὐδέπω καιροῦ ὄντος.
καὶ οὐκ εἶδεν αὐτὸν οὐκέτι ὁ εὐνοῦχος, and the eunuch saw him no more. This marvellous removal of Philip would confirm the eunuch and his companions in their faith. They would recognize that he who had been sent unto them was a man of God.
ἐπορεύετο γὰρ τὴν ὁδὸν αὐτοῦ χαίρων, for he went on his way rejoicing. The words explain why Philip was no more seen of the eunuch. He was not like the sons of the prophets at Jericho, who went to seek Elijah when they heard of his being carried away. The eunuch was filled with joy at the new light which God had sent to him, and felt no anxiety for the safety of Philip, being sure that he was cared for by the same hand which had sent him forth.