Acts 8:13Simon himself also believed. Being baptized, he continued with Philip. Seeing signs and great miracles occurring, he was amazed.
The setting
Samaria, ~35 AD. Simon the sorcerer, previously the most powerful spiritual figure in the city, watches Philip perform greater miracles...
The emotion here: concerned about the authenticity of conversions
The original word
existato (ἐξίστατο) — he was beside himself, literally 'standing outside' himself in amazement
Why it matters
Simon was known as 'the Great Power of God' and had a large following before Philip arrived
Read with care
What most readers miss in Acts 8:13
Simon was a professional magician being outperformed — his 'belief' might have been career strategy
Common misconceptionPeople assume Simon had genuine faith here, but Luke is setting up his fall. Being 'amazed' by miracles isn't the same as surrendering your heart.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Acts 8:13
Bible Genome reading
Acts 8:13 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Acts 8:13 comes from the book of Acts, written during the early_church period. These words are attributed to Narrator. The dominant emotion in this verse is seeking, with a comfort power of 40% and a tone that is reflective. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include conversion, amazement. Notable phrases: Simon himself believed; was amazed; signs and miracles.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same seeking
“Pray without ceasing.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:17
“But let justice roll on like rivers, and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
— Amos 5:24
“Be it far from you to do things like that, to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be like the wicked. May that …”
— Genesis 18:25
“Call to me, and I will answer you, and will show you great things, and difficult, which you don't know.”
— Jeremiah 33:3
“Forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evi…”
— Luke 11:4
Your reflection
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