SEV Biblia, Chapter 8:39
Cuando subieron del agua, el Espíritu del Seor arrebat a Felipe; y no le vio ms el eunuco, y se fue por su camino gozoso.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Acts 8:39
Verse 39. The Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip] Perhaps this means no more than that the Holy Spirit suggested to the mind of Philip that he should withdraw abruptly from the eunuch, and thus leave him to pursue his journey, reflecting on the important incidents which had taken place. Some suppose that the angel of the Lord, and the Spirit of the Lord, are the same person throughout this chapter. There is a remarkable reading in the Codex Alexandrinus which exists thus in two lines: - p n a a g i o n e p e p e c e n e p i t o n e u n o u x o n The Spirit of the Lord fell upon the eunuch: a g g e l o c d e k u h r p a c e n t o n f i l i p p o n . But the angel of the Lord snatched away Philip.
This reading is found in several other MSS. and in some versions. Many think that the Spirit or angel of God carried off Philip in some such manner as the Apocrypha represents the transportation of Habakkuk, who was taken up by the hair of the head, and carried from Judea to Babylon! For such an interposition there was no need. When Philip had baptized the eunuch, the Spirit of God showed him that it was not the will of God that he should accompany the eunuch to Meroe, but, on the contrary, that he should hasten away to Ashdod; as God had in that, and the neighbouring places, work sufficient to employ him in.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 39. And when they were come up out of the water , etc.] Which is another circumstance, showing that baptism was then performed by immersion; with this compare ( Matthew 3:16) and so it is said of the high priest, when he washed himself on the day of atonement, hl[ lbjw dry , he went down and dipped, and came up f444 ; and so any other person that was obliged to dipping on any account, hl[w lbjw dry , went down and dipped, and came up f445 . And again it is said f446 , it happened to a servant maid of Rabbi, htl[w hlbj , that she dipped herself and came up. The Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip ; as soon as the ordinance was over; so that the eunuch had no opportunity of rewarding him for his instructions and labour; and this might be done on purpose to show that he had no mercenary end in joining himself to his chariot; and this sudden rapture and disappearance might be a confirmation to the eunuch that this whole affair was of God. The Spirit of the Lord took up Philip, just as he is said to lift up Ezekiel, between earth and heaven, ( Ezekiel 8:3) and carried him above the earth as far as Azotus. The Alexandrian copy, and one of Bezas, and some others, read the words thus, the holy Spirit fall upon the eunuch, but the angel of the Lord caught away Philip; the same angel, it may be, that bid him go toward the south: that the eunuch saw him no more ; neither at that time, nor perhaps ever after; for one went one way, and another way: and he went on his way ; towards Ethiopia; and, as the Ethiopic version reads, into his own country; which is one reason why he saw Philip no more: however, he went thither rejoicing , as he had great reason to do; being blessed with the saving knowledge of Christ, and true faith in the Son of God, and admitted to the holy ordinance of baptism; having first received the baptism of the Spirit, or having the grace of the Spirit bestowed on him, and implanted in him: and, according to some copies just now mentioned, after his baptism the Spirit fell on him in an extraordinary manner, and that without imposition of hands; so that, upon the whole, he had great reason to rejoice.
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
οτε 3753 ADV δε 1161 CONJ ανεβησαν 305 5627 V-2AAI-3P εκ 1537 PREP του 3588 T-GSN υδατος 5204 N-GSN πνευμα 4151 N-NSN κυριου 2962 N-GSM ηρπασεν 726 5656 V-AAI-3S τον 3588 T-ASM φιλιππον 5376 N-ASM και 2532 CONJ ουκ 3756 PRT-N ειδεν 1492 5627 V-2AAI-3S αυτον 846 P-ASM ουκετι 3765 ADV ο 3588 T-NSM ευνουχος 2135 N-NSM επορευετο 4198 5711 V-INI-3S γαρ 1063 CONJ την 3588 T-ASF οδον 3598 N-ASF αυτου 846 P-GSM χαιρων 5463 5723 V-PAP-NSM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
39. Caught away. Suddenly and miraculously.And he went, etc. (eporeueto gar). A mistranslation. Rev., rightly, "for he went." A reason is given for the eunuch's seeing Philip no more. He did not stop nor take another road to seek him, but went on his way.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
8:39 {Out of the water} (ek tou hudatos). Not from the edge of the water, but up out of the water as in #Mr 1:10. {Caught away} (herpasen). Suddenly and miraculously, for harpazw, like the Latin _rapio_, means to carry off. Cf. #2Co 12:2; 1Th 4:17. {Went on his way} (eporeueto). Kept on going, imperfect active.
