SEV Biblia, Chapter 8:17
Entonces les impusieron las manos, y recibieron el Espíritu Santo.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Acts 8:17
Verse 17. Then laid they their hands on them] Probably only on some select persons, who were thought proper for public use in the Church. They did not lay hands on all; for certainly no hands in this way were laid on Simon.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 17. Then laid they their hands on them , etc.] The Ethiopic version adds, who had been baptized; but not upon all of them, men and women, only on some they were directed unto by the Spirit of God; whom he had designed, and now would qualify for the work of the ministry, that so this new church, might be supplied with proper officers, pastors, and teachers, to feed them with knowledge and with understanding, and who might not only have ministerial gifts to qualify them for preaching the Gospel, but extraordinary ones, which would serve for the confirmation of it; and for this purpose the apostles, both of them, as the Arabic version reads, laid their hands on them: for it will not seem probable, that they laid their hands upon the women, on such an account; and it will hardly be received, that they should lay their hands on Simon Magus, otherwise he would have received the Holy Ghost too; so that it seems a plain case, that imposition of hands was not used to them all: and they received the Holy Ghost ; that is, they received the gifts of the Holy Ghost; so that they could prophesy and speak with tongues, and heal diseases, and do other wonderful works: and since now these effects have ceased, the rite and ceremony which was peculiar to the apostles as such, it should seem should cease likewise.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 14-25 - The Holy Ghost was as yet fallen upon none of these coverts, in the extraordinary powers conveyed by the descent of the Spirit upon the da of Pentecost. We may take encouragement from this example, in prayin to God to give the renewing graces of the Holy Ghost to all for whose spiritual welfare we are concerned; for that includes all blessings. N man can give the Holy Spirit by the laying on of his hands; but we should use our best endeavours to instruct those for whom we pray Simon Magus was ambitious to have the honour of an apostle, but care not at all to have the spirit and disposition of a Christian. He wa more desirous to gain honour to himself, than to do good to others Peter shows him his crime. He esteemed the wealth of this world, as i it would answer for things relating to the other life, and woul purchase the pardon of sin, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and eterna life. This was such a condemning error as could by no means consis with a state of grace. Our hearts are what they are in the sight of God, who cannot be deceived. And if they are not right in his sight our religion is vain, and will stand us in no stead. A proud an covetous heart cannot be right with God. It is possible for a man to continue under the power of sin, yet to put on a form of godliness When tempted with money to do evil, see what a perishing thing mone is, and scorn it. Think not that Christianity is a trade to live by in this world. There is much wickedness in the thought of the heart, it false notions, and corrupt affections, and wicked projects, which mus be repented of, or we are undone. But it shall be forgiven, upon ou repentance. The doubt here is of the sincerity of Simon's repentance not of his pardon, if his repentance was sincere. Grant us, Lord another sort of faith than that which made Simon wonder only, and di not sanctify his heart. May we abhor all thoughts of making religio serve the purposes of pride or ambition. And keep us from that subtl poison of spiritual pride, which seeks glory to itself even from humility. May we seek only the honour which cometh from God.
Greek Textus Receptus
τοτε 5119 ADV επετιθουν 2007 5707 V-IAI-3P τας 3588 T-APF χειρας 5495 N-APF επ 1909 PREP αυτους 846 P-APM και 2532 CONJ ελαμβανον 2983 5707 V-IAI-3P πνευμα 4151 N-ASN αγιον 40 A-ASN
Robertson's NT Word Studies
8:17 {Laid they their hands} (epetiqesan tas ceiras). Imperfect active, repetition. The laying on of hands did not occur at the great Pentecost (#2:4,33) nor in #4:31; 10:44 nor is it mentioned in #1Co 12; 14. It is mentioned in #Ac 6:7 about the deacons and in #13:3 when Barnabas and Saul left Antioch. And in Saul's case it was Ananias who laid his hands on him (#9:17). Hence it cannot be concluded that the Holy Spirit was received only by the laying on of the hands of the apostles or by the hands of anyone. The so-called practice of "confirmation" appeals to this passage, but inconclusively. {They received} (elambanon). Imperfect active, repetition as before and pari passu with the laying on of the hands.
