Philip and Ethiopian Eunuch
The
Passage: Acts 8:26-40
Structure:
a. 8:26, road to south from Jerusalem to Gaza
b. 8:27-29,
Spirit said to Philip
c. 8:30-31,
he invited Philip to sit with him (on the chariot)
d.
8:32-33, Reading the Scripture passage
e. 8:34,
about whom is the prophet speaking here?
d’. 8:35,
Beginning with this scripture passage, he proclaim him Jesus
c’. 8:36-38,
he ordered chariot to stop
b’. 8:39,
Spirit snatched Philip
a’. 8:40,
all town until he reached Caesarea
Historical
and geographical context:
The
understanding of “they” in v. 25 will determine the location of Philip when an
angel of the Lord commissioned him to go to the road between Jerusalem and
Gaza. The road was a desert place, which can be understood in two ways. Either
the road went through the desert, or it was an abundant road.
Also, as we
will see in the next story, here we have a split or overlap of the narrative –
Philip goes south, while Saul – at the same time – will go to the north, toward
Damascus.
Theology:
Angel of
the Lord can have
two meanings: (1) a messenger sent by God saying or acting in accordance with His
will, or (2) the incarnate Second Person of the Trinity. The second one appears
to Abraham (Gen. 22:11, 15-16), Moses (Ex. 3:2-6), etc. Here, most likely, we
have an appearance of a messenger who had to guide Philip to the place where
should’ve meet with the official of Ethiopian queen.
A road
from Jerusalem to Gaza. In the times of Old Testament Gaza was part of Philistia along with
four other cities – Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron, and Gath. On the way back Philip
went through at least two of these cities, then to Joppa and finally to
Caesarea. When he goes through the cities, he preaches the Gospel. Gath was
converted in the days of David (1 Sam. 27:1-4; Amos 1:6-8). Now Philip saves
the rest of Philistine.
Ethiopia
and the queen. Cadence
is not a name – it’s title “great woman”. Bible sometimes uses the title vs the
name (Abimelech – Gen. 20; 26:6-33; Ahasuerus – Esther). The name of the queen
was most likely Amantitere who ruled from 20 to 49 AD. The history of Biblical
impact on Ethiopia begins with queen of Sheba who came to king Solomon for the
wise interaction (1 Kings 10:1-13).
The
importance of Isaiah
for New Testament message. After the Psalms, the Book of Isaiah is the most
quoted Old Testament book in the texts of New Testament. Here eunuch reads Is.
53:7-8. The passage gives a description of the suffering of the Messiah. Using
these verses of Isaiah, Philip shares the Good News with the eunuch, without
referring to New Testament (because New Testament was not written yet!).
The need
for hermeneutics.
The need for what? Hermeneutics is a science of interpretation. Just a reading
of Scripture is not helpful as an independent reading of the Bible – it should
be guided (8:31). People, enlightened by the Holy Spirit – the Church – read
“the letter to the Bride”. People outside of the Church can’t understand the
spiritual meaning of Scripture.
Other
themes:
Other Biblical characters who were caried away by the
Spirit?
Enoch – Genesis 5:24, Hebrews 11:5
Elijah – 2 Kings 2:9-12
Ezekiel – Ezekeil 8:1-4 (:3)
Jesus – Mathew 28:8-10, John 20:19, 26
St. Paul – 2 Corinthians 12:2-4
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