Verse 33: “In His humility His judgment was lifted up. His generation of whom will declare it, and of his life that was lifted up from the earth?”

Quoted from Isaiah 53v8

His humility: This has to do with His suffering, being placed upon that tree.

His judgment was lifted up: This can be understood in a few ways: His judgment was removed, or He was removed, or He was lifted up in His judgment.

Whom will declare it: Who is going to state what happened to Him when His life was taken from Him? When He suffered judgment?

Verse 34: “The eunuch answered and said to Philip, ‘I pray (beseech) you concerning the prophet of who he spoke. Was it concerning himself that he spoke or was it concerning someone else?’”

Verse 35: “Philip opened up his mouth and he began from this scripture, evangelizing him Yeshua.”

Philip is going to be the one to answer this question (8v33) for this eunuch. If we rightly understand this text it is an invitation for us to share the message of the judgment and the shame that Yeshua suffered on our behalf.

Yeshua: Acts 4v12

Verse 36: “As they went on the way they came to water and the eunuch declared, ‘Behold water! What is prohibiting me to be baptized?”

This verse shows us that Philip talked about the death, burial, and resurrection of Yeshua and set it within the context of immersion/baptism.

What is prohibiting me to be baptized: This Ethiopian understood that is not enough just to hear and understand the gospel, but it demands a response.

Verse 37: “And Philip said, ‘If you believe from the wholeness of the heart it is lawful.’ And he (the Ethiopian) answered and said, ‘I believe the Son of God to be Yeshua the Messiah.’”

Wholeness of the heart: The word ‘heart’ has to do with that part of a person that thinks (Proverbs 23v7). Philip wanted the Ethiopian man to be fully convinced and believe what Philip had shared with him. The focus of the gospel message is Redemption, and redemption is always connected to blood. The shedding of Messiah’s blood is vital in the gospel message. For a Biblical covenant to be ratified (put into effect/made valid) blood was required.

It is lawful: This word emphasizes that there is a strictness, a legality to our faith. It is not legal for just anyone to be immersed, only those who believe (to comprehend and have a desire to respond in obedience) the message of the gospel.

Son of God: He believes in the divinity of Yeshua. This also speaks of the faithfulness of Yeshua to His Father.


Verse 38: “He commanded that the chariot be stopped and the two of them went into the water, Philip and the eunuch. And he baptised him.”

He (Philip) baptised him: This is unusual and is emphasised and emphatic in the text. When people were coming out to partake of John’s baptism he oversaw it, but he did no physically baptize everyone.

Verse 39: “And when they came out from the water the Spirit of the L-rd snatched Philip away and the eunuch did not see him any longer. He went on his way rejoicing”

Came out from the water: It is important to be immersed, completely, in the water. Sprinkling, pouring etc is not an acceptable means for baptism.

The Spirit of the L-rd: When we are willing to receive the message from the L-rd we are going to be brought into intimacy and contact with the Ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Snatched: This is the same word used in 1 Thessalonians 4v17 when speaking of the rapture. This would have confirmed to the eunuch that as Philip had been supernaturally taken away so had he been supernaturally brought to him to share the message of salvation with him.

Rejoicing: When we are the recipients of the Ministry of the Holy Spirit it is going to lead us to gladness (worship).

Verse 40: “But Philip was found in Azotus, and passing through evangelizing all the cities until he came to Caesarea.”

Azotus: Ashdod – not far from Gaza. It was a city, but was also known as a small region in the coastal plain of Israel.

Evangelizing: When the Holy Spirit works in a person’s life his ministry is going to have an evangelistic purpose – sharing the gospel and leading people into worshipping God.