Acts 8:9-11 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

But there was, &c. At the time when the gospel was thus brought to them by Philip, a man was there, called Simon, which before- time in the same city used sorcery Greek, had been μαγευων, using magic arts. Some think the expression is entirely of the same signification with the word μαγος, and is intended to tell us, that this Simon was one of the sect of the magi; (see on Matthew 2:1;) and it is possible he might profess himself of that sect: but certainly the expression here used imports much more, and amounts to the same with one who used enchantments, pretending, in consequence of them, to exert some supernatural powers; whereas the word magus, at least about Christ's time, seems to have signified much the same with our English word sage, and to have denoted a proficient in learning, and especially in astronomy, and other branches of natural philosophy, to which the Persian magi addicted themselves, and so gave name to many who were far from holding the peculiarities of that sect. Yet as many natural philosophers pretended also to be magicians in the common sense of the word among us, and might make their natural knowledge subservient to that pretence when it was mere imposture, it is not improbable that they generally called themselves magi; and so the verb μαγευων might come to signify the making use of unlawful arts, (as it plainly does here,) while the noun, from whence it was derived, might still retain a more extensive and innocent signification. See Doddridge. And bewitched the people Εξιστων το εθνος, astonishing the nation; of Samaria By his magic arts he showed many signs and lying wonders, which seemed to be miracles, but really were not so; like those of the magicians of Egypt, and those of the man of sin, mentioned 2 Thessalonians 2:9: giving out, that himself was some great one A person possessed of supernatural powers; he wished the people to believe so, and to respect him accordingly. To whom they all gave heed Paid great regard, as he desired them to do; from the least to the greatest Both young and old, both poor and rich; saying, This man is the great power of God Greek, η δυναμις του Θεου, η μεγαλη, literally, the power of God, that great power. Thus ignorant, unthinking people mistake what is done by the power of Satan, as if it were done by the power of God; and so with the Gentile world, devils pass for deities, and in the antichristian kingdom, all the world wonders after the beast, to whom the dragon gives his power, and who opens his mouth in blasphemy against God, Revelation 13:2-5. Their meaning probably was, that Simon was the long-expected Messiah, and even Omnipotence itself incarnate, otherwise, they supposed, he could not do such wonderful things. And to him they had regard Had the greater regard; because that of long time he had bewitched them Or rather, had astonished them, the word being the same with that used Acts 8:9; with sorceries With the lying wonders which he wrought by his enchantments.