Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch: A Divine Encounter That Changed a Life Forever!

Acts 8:35 (NIV) reads:

“Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.”

This verse is part of the story where Philip encounters the Ethiopian eunuch, who is reading a passage from Isaiah but does not understand it. Philip explains the scripture, sharing the message of Jesus Christ, leading to the eunuch’s baptism.

Acts 8:35 occurs within the narrative of Philip’s encounter with an Ethiopian official, a court treasurer, as recorded in Acts 8:26-40. Here’s the context and a more detailed explanation to make it easier to understand:

The Setting

Philip, a follower of Jesus and one of the early church leaders, is guided by an angel of the Lord to travel along a desert road that leads from Jerusalem to Gaza. On this road, he meets an Ethiopian eunuch, a high-ranking official who serves the queen of Ethiopia. This man is traveling in a chariot and is reading aloud from the Book of Isaiah (specifically Isaiah 53:7-8), a prophecy about a suffering servant.

The Key Moment

The Ethiopian eunuch is puzzled by the text and asks Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” (Acts 8:34). This question opens the door for Philip to share the message of the Gospel.

Acts 8:35 Explained

In response to the eunuch’s question, Philip begins with the very passage the eunuch is reading and uses it to explain the good news about Jesus. The suffering servant in Isaiah points to Jesus, who was crucified, died for humanity’s sins, and rose again to bring salvation to all.

Philip carefully connects the prophecy to Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, explaining how Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament scriptures. By doing so, Philip helps the eunuch understand that Jesus is the Messiah and the Savior promised by God.

The Outcome

The eunuch is moved by Philip’s explanation and believes in Jesus. As they travel, they come across some water, and the eunuch asks to be baptized immediately, marking his acceptance of the Gospel.

Summary

Acts 8:35 illustrates how Philip used scripture to reveal the truth about Jesus in a way that was meaningful and clear to the Ethiopian eunuch. It highlights the importance of understanding scripture and the power of sharing the Gospel in a personal and relevant way. This moment also emphasizes the universality of the Gospel, as the Ethiopian eunuch, a foreigner, is welcomed into the Christian faith.