Acts 8:38 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

And they went down both into the water,— The prepositions εις and εκ, here, and in the next verse, rendered into and out of the water, frequently signify unto and from, as every one must allow who understands the Greek language; and thus they are often used in the stile of the New Testament, and particularly of St. Luke, as for example; εις signifies unto in Matthew 15:24.Luke 4:5; Luke 6:12; Luke 9:28. Acts 14:21 and Colossians 1:20.; and εκ signifies from, in Luke 20:4.John 19:12.Acts 14:8; Acts 15:29; Acts 27:3; Acts 27:31 and Acts 27:34. But supposing, says Mr. Henry, we here understand them to signify into and out of, Philip and the eunuch did not strip off their clothes, and go naked into the water; but going barefoot, according to the custom, they went, perhaps, up to the ancles, or mid-leg, into the water, and Philip sprinkled water upon him, according to the prophesy which this eunuch had probably but just now read; for it was but a few verses before those which Philip found him upon, and was very apposite to his case, Isaiah 52:15. So shall he sprinkle many nations; kings and great men shall shut their mouths at him, shall submit to him: for that which had not before been told them, shall they see; and that which they had not heard, shall they consider.