Acts 8:20 Cross References

But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

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Uncover the Rich Themes and Topics of This Bible Verse

Listed below are the Bible themes associated with Acts 8:20. We invite you to explore each theme to gain deeper insights into the Scriptures.

Acts 8:20 Cross Reference Verses

This section features a detailed cross-reference designed to enrich your understanding of the Scriptures. Below, you will find carefully selected verses that echo the themes and teachings related to Acts 8:20 KJV. Click on any image to explore detailed analyses of related Bible verses and uncover deeper theological insights.

Daniel 5:17 KJV Bible Verse Image
Daniel 5:17 (KJV) »
Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation.

Acts 2:38 KJV Bible Verse Image
Acts 2:38 (KJV) »
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Matthew 10:8 KJV Bible Verse Image
Matthew 10:8 (KJV) »
Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

Revelation 18:15 KJV Bible Verse Image
Revelation 18:15 (KJV) »
The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,

James 5:3 KJV Bible Verse Image
James 5:3 (KJV) »
Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.

Acts 8:22 KJV Bible Verse Image
Acts 8:22 (KJV) »
Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

2 Peter 2:14 KJV Bible Verse Image
2 Peter 2:14 (KJV) »
Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:

Acts 11:17 KJV Bible Verse Image
Acts 11:17 (KJV) »
Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?

Acts 1:18 KJV Bible Verse Image
Acts 1:18 (KJV) »
Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.

Acts 10:45 KJV Bible Verse Image
Acts 10:45 (KJV) »
And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Deuteronomy 7:26 KJV Bible Verse Image
Deuteronomy 7:26 (KJV) »
Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thine house, lest thou be a cursed thing like it: but thou shalt utterly detest it, and thou shalt utterly abhor it; for it is a cursed thing.

Matthew 15:19 KJV Bible Verse Image
Matthew 15:19 (KJV) »
For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

Deuteronomy 15:9 KJV Bible Verse Image
Deuteronomy 15:9 (KJV) »
Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him nought; and he cry unto the LORD against thee, and it be sin unto thee.

Joshua 7:24 KJV Bible Verse Image
Joshua 7:24 (KJV) »
And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had: and they brought them unto the valley of Achor.

2 Kings 5:26 KJV Bible Verse Image
2 Kings 5:26 (KJV) »
And he said unto him, Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants?

2 Kings 5:15 KJV Bible Verse Image
2 Kings 5:15 (KJV) »
And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant.

Isaiah 55:1 KJV Bible Verse Image
Isaiah 55:1 (KJV) »
Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

Habakkuk 2:9 KJV Bible Verse Image
Habakkuk 2:9 (KJV) »
Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evil!

Zechariah 5:4 KJV Bible Verse Image
Zechariah 5:4 (KJV) »
I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.

Proverbs 15:26 KJV Bible Verse Image
Proverbs 15:26 (KJV) »
The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.

1 Timothy 6:9 KJV Bible Verse Image
1 Timothy 6:9 (KJV) »
But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

Matthew 27:3 KJV Bible Verse Image
Matthew 27:3 (KJV) »
Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,

Acts 8:20 Verse Analysis and Similar Verses

Understanding Acts 8:20

Acts 8:20 states: "But Peter said to him, 'May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain God's gift with money!' This verse arises from the account of Simon the Sorcerer, who attempted to buy the power of the Holy Spirit. Here, we explore its meaning through insights from public domain commentaries, highlighting the implications of trying to commercialize spiritual gifts.

Contextual Overview

The verse comes within the narrative of the early church, where the apostles performed many wonders and miracles. Simon, witnessing the great signs and wonders that the apostles did, was fascinated and sought to purchase such power.

Insights from Commentaries

  • Matthew Henry: Henry emphasizes that Simon's attempt to buy the Holy Spirit was rooted in a misunderstanding of the nature of divine gifts. The power of God cannot be bought or sold; it is freely given to believers.
  • Albert Barnes: Barnes notes that Peter's rebuke was stern and intended to convey the severity of Simon’s sin. He underscores that the desire for power for personal gain leads to spiritual destruction.
  • Adam Clarke: Clarke highlights the dangers of attempting to mix commerce with divine affairs. He explains that Simon's heart was not right before God, which made his offer unacceptable.

Thematic Connections

This verse invites several thematic analyses, particularly on the topic of the misuse of spiritual gifts and the integrity required in ministry.

Bible Verse Cross-References

  • Isaiah 55:1: "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat!" - Emphasizes that God's gifts are freely available, not for sale.
  • Matthew 10:8: "Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give." - Reinforces the idea of grace in spiritual gifts.
  • Acts 8:18-19: Provides the immediate context of Simon's attempt to purchase the Holy Spirit.
  • 1 Peter 5:2: "Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve." - Highlights the proper motives in serving God’s people.
  • Matthew 6:24: "No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other." - Draws a clear line between materialism and spiritual devotion.
  • 1 Timothy 6:10: "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil." - Reflects the danger of prioritizing wealth over spiritual integrity.
  • 2 Corinthians 2:17: "Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit." - Encourages sincerity in the ministry and warns against commercial motives.

Key Takeaways

From this verse and its analysis, we can derive several key principles:

  • The Gifts of God Are Not for Sale: Spiritual gifts and blessings come from God's grace and cannot be acquired through monetary means.
  • The Importance of Right Motives: Our intentions in seeking spiritual gifts must align with God's purposes, not personal ambition.
  • The Danger of Materialism: A preoccupation with wealth can lead to spiritual corruption, disconnected from the true essence of faith.
  • Integrity in Ministry: Servants of God are called to be genuine, prioritizing the welfare of the Church over personal gain.

Cross-Referencing Biblical Texts

Understanding Acts 8:20 provides an opportunity for wider comparative Bible verse analysis:

  • Exploring how other instances of misuse of divine gifts appear in scripture can provide depth to our understanding.
  • Finding links between Simon's story and similar warnings in both the Old and New Testaments reinforces the timeless relevance of God's word.
  • The use of cross-references in personal study aids in illuminating the broader narrative of scriptural admonitions against greed and the commodification of spiritual gifts.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Acts 8:20 serves as a powerful reminder of the sanctity of God's gifts and calls for a heart aligned with His will. By examining this verse through the lenses of various commentaries and scripture linkages, we gain deeper insights into our spiritual lives and the importance of sincerity in our relationship with God. Engaging in cross-referencing Bible study can greatly enhance our understanding and application of scripture in our lives.