SEV Biblia, Chapter 8:40
Felipe empero se hall en Azoto; y pasando, anunciaba el Evangelio en todas las ciudades, hasta que lleg a Cesarea.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Acts 8:40
Verse 40. Philip was found at Azotus] Prom the time he left the eunuch, he was not heard of till he got to Azotus, which, according to Dr. Lightfoot, was about 34 miles from Gaza, and probably it was near Gaze that Philip met the eunuch. The Azotus of the New Testament is the Ashdod of the old. It was given by Joshua to the tribe of Judah, Josh. xv. 47. It was one of the five lordships which belonged to the Philistines, and is a seaport town on the Mediterranean Sea, between Gaza on the south, and Joppa or Jaffa on the north. Herodotus reports, lib. ii. cap. 157, that Psammeticus, king of Egypt, besieged this city 29 years, which, if true, is the longest siege which any city or fortress ever endured. Preached in all the cities, till he cams to Caesarea.] This was Caesarea in Palestine, formerly called Strato's Tower, built by Herod the Great in honour of Augustus. There was an excellent harbour here made by Herod; and, after the destruction of Jerusalem, it became the capital of the whole land of Judea. It must be always distinguished from Caesarea Philippi, which was an inland town not far from the springs of Jordan. Whenever the word Caesarea occurs without Philippi, the former is intended. As Philip preached in all the cities of Palestine till he came to Caesarea, he must have preached in the different cities of the Philistine country, Ashdod, Akkaron, and Jamnia, and also in the principal parts of Samaria, as these lay in his way from Gaza to Caesarea. As there was a readier disposition to receive the word in those places, the Spirit of the Lord, under whose guidance he acted, did not suffer him to accompany the eunuch to Abyssinia. It appears, from chap. xxi. 8, that Philip settled at Caesarea, where he had a house and family, four of his unmarried daughters being prophetesses. It is likely that his itinerant mission ended here; though he continued occasionally to perform the work of an evangelist, and to bring up his family in the knowledge and fear of God, which is the most imperious duty that any master of a family can be called on to perform, and which it is impossible for any man to accomplish by substitute; and which none can neglect without endangering his own salvation.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 40. But Philip was found at Azotus , etc.] The same with the Ashdod of the Philistines, famous for the temple of Dagon, ( 1 Samuel 5:1) where the Septuagint call it Azotus, as here: and so it is called in the Apocrypha: Howbeit all the hindmost of them were slain with the sword: for they pursued them unto Gazera, and unto the plains of Idumea, and Azotus , and Jamnia, so that there were slain of them upon a three thousand men. (1Mac 4:15) Whereof when Apollonius heard, he took three thousand horsemen, with a great host of footmen, and went to Azotus as one that journeyed, and therewithal drew him forth into the plain. because he had a great number of horsemen, in whom he put his trust. (1Mac 10:77) But Jonathan set fire on Azotus , and the cities round about it, and took their spoils; and the temple of Dagon, with them that were fled into it, he burned with fire. (1Mac 10:84) And when he came near to Azotus , they shewed him the temple of Dagon that was burnt, and Azotus and the suburbs thereof that were destroyed, and the bodies that were cast abroad and them that he had burnt in the battle; for they had made heaps of them by the way where he should pass. (1Mac 11:4) where mention is made of Beth Dagon, and the idols temple in it; and by Herodotus f447 , Pliny f448 , and Ptolomy f449 ; and it is now called Palmis, according to R. Benjamin f450 ; it was about fifty four miles from Jerusalem, and two hundred and seventy furlongs, Or four and thirty miles from Gaza: and passing through ; or, as he passed along through that and other places: he preached in all the cities ; that lay in his way; which shows his zeal and diligence: till he came to Caesarea ; not Caesarea Philippi, ( Matthew 16:13) but that which was before called Stratos tower, and was rebuilt by Herod, and called Caesarea, in honour of Augustus Caesar f452 ; and not by Caesar himself, as R. Benjamin says f453 : it was six hundred furlongs, or seventy five miles from Jerusalem f454 , This place was famous for Jewish Rabbins, and their schools of learning; frequent mention is made of yrsyqd ynbr , the Rabbins of Caesarea f455 ; here Philip seems to have stopped, and stayed awhile.
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
φιλιππος 5376 N-NSM δε 1161 CONJ ευρεθη 2147 5681 V-API-3S εις 1519 PREP αζωτον 108 N-ASF και 2532 CONJ διερχομενος 1330 5740 V-PNP-NSM ευηγγελιζετο 2097 5710 V-IMI-3S τας 3588 T-APF πολεις 4172 N-APF πασας 3956 A-APF εως 2193 CONJ του 3588 T-GSM ελθειν 2064 5629 V-2AAN αυτον 846 P-ASM εις 1519 PREP καισαρειαν 2542 N-ASF
Robertson's NT Word Studies
8:40 {He preached the gospel} (eueggelizeto). Imperfect middle describing the evangelistic tour of Philip "till he came to Caesarea" (hews tou elqein auton, genitive articular infinitive with the preposition hews and the accusative of general reference) where he made his home and headquarters thereafter (#Ac 21:28) and was known as the Evangelist.
