SEV Biblia, Chapter 8:30
Y acudiendo Felipe, le oy que leía al profeta Isaías, y dijo: Pero ¿entiendes lo que lees?
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Acts 8:30
Verse 30. Heard him read the Prophet Esaias] The eunuch, it seems, was reading aloud, and apparently in Greek, for that was the common language in Egypt; and, indeed, almost in every place it was understood. And it appears that it was the Greek version of the Septuagint that he was reading, as the quotation below is from that version.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 30. And Philip ran thither to him , etc.] Being very ready to obey the divine order, and hoping he might be an instrument of doing some good, which might issue in the glory of God, and the welfare of men: and heard him read the prophet Esaias ; that is, the Book of Isaiah the Prophet; as before; and so the Ethiopic and Arabic versions read here, as there: he read it out, with a clear and distinct voice, so that Philip could hear him; and this he did, partly through reverence to the word of God, and partly to fix his attention to it the more, that he might the better understand and remember it, and also for delight and pleasure: it is very likely, that it was the Book of Isaiah in the Hebrew tongue in which he was reading, and which language he might understand, though he might be at a loss about the sense of the prophet: and said, understandest thou what thou readest? meaning not the language, but the sense; for overhearing him, he perceived it was a prophecy in Isaiah he was reading; which was not so easy to be understood as laws and precepts are, which command this, and forbid that; whereas prophecies were more abstruse, and regarded things to come.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 26-40 - Philip was directed to go to a desert. Sometimes God opens a door of opportunity to his ministers in very unlikely places. We should stud to do good to those we come into company with by travelling. We shoul not be so shy of all strangers as some affect to be. As to those of whom we know nothing else, we know this, that they have souls. It is wisdom for men of business to redeem time for holy duties; to fill u every minute with something which will turn to a good account. I reading the word of God, we should often pause, to inquire of whom an of what the sacred writers spake; but especially our thoughts should be employed about the Redeemer. The Ethiopian was convinced by the teaching of the Holy Spirit, of the exact fulfilment of the Scripture was made to understand the nature of the Messiah's kingdom an salvation, and desired to be numbered among the disciples of Christ Those who seek the truth, and employ their time in searching the Scriptures, will be sure to reap advantages. The avowal of the Ethiopian must be understood as expressing simple reliance on Chris for salvation, and unreserved devotion to Him. Let us not be satisfie till we get faith, as the Ethiopian did, by diligent study of the Holy Scriptures, and the teaching of the Spirit of God; let us not be satisfied till we get it fixed as a principle in our hearts. As soon a he was baptized, the Spirit of God took Philip from him, so that he saw him no more; but this tended to confirm his faith. When the inquire after salvation becomes acquainted with Jesus and his gospel, he wil go on his way rejoicing, and will fill up his station in society, an discharge his duties, from other motives, and in another manner tha heretofore. Though baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, with water, it is not enough without the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Lord, grant this to every one of us; then shall we go on our wa rejoicing __________________________________________________________________
Greek Textus Receptus
προσδραμων 4370 5631 V-2AAP-NSM δε 1161 CONJ ο 3588 T-NSM φιλιππος 5376 N-NSM ηκουσεν 191 5656 V-AAI-3S αυτου 846 P-GSM αναγινωσκοντος 314 5723 V-PAP-GSM τον 3588 T-ASM προφητην 4396 N-ASM ησαιαν 2268 N-ASM και 2532 CONJ ειπεν 2036 5627 V-2AAI-3S αρα 687 PRT-I γε 1065 PRT γινωσκεις 1097 5719 V-PAI-2S α 3739 R-APN αναγινωσκεις 314 5719 V-PAI-2S
Vincent's NT Word Studies
30. Understandest thou what thou readest (ara ge ginwskeiv a anaginwskeiv); The play upon the words cannot be translated. The interrogative particles which begin the question indicate a doubt on Philip's part.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
8:30 {Understandest thou what thou readest?} (ara ge ginwskeis ha anaginwskeis?) The interrogative particle Ara and the intensive particle ge indicate doubt on Philip's part. The play (paranomasia) upon the words in the Greek is very neat: {Do you know what you know again (read)?} The verb for read (anaginwsko) means to know the letters again, recognize, read. The famous comment of Julian about the Christian writings is often quoted: anegnwn, egnwn, kategnwn (I read, I understood, I condemned). The keen retort was: anegnws, all'ouk egnws, ei gar egnws, ouk an kategnws (You read, but did not understand; for if you had understood, you would not have condemned).
