Verse 18: “And Simon, perceiving that through the laying on of hands of the Apostles is given the Holy Spirit, offered them money” 

Perceiving (seeing): Looking intently upon it, gazing upon it, recognizing some significance.

Laying on of hands …is given the Holy Spirit: This was a one-time ‘event’ that the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the Apostle’s hands. The Apostles did not have to go every time to lay hands on people (up to this present day) in order for them to receive the Holy Spirit.

He offered them money: This was not something that Simon could do through his own power (either his illusions or demonic influence in his life). Simon did the things that he did because of pride and because he wanted to exalt himself. The Scripture is teaching us that we are not to use the Word of God, the ministry of the Holy Spirit or the truth of God as a means to exalt ourselves.

Verse 19: “saying, ‘Give also to me this power in order that whomever I should lay hands upon should receive the Holy Spirit.”

Power: Simon wants the same authority that he saw the Apostles had. Simon saw that if he had this authority it would give him a better means in order to exalt himself. He wanted this to be uniquely given to him, and he was willing to pay handsomely for It. He did not want to know if this was going to be normative for every believer.

Verse 20: “Peter spoke to him, ‘Your silver with you shall be for destruction, because the gift of God you reckoned through money could be obtained.”

Peter: Peter was angry because he understood what Simon was seeking. He wanted to share in the same authorities, so that he could uniquely continue to be exalted in this area. The purpose of the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to exalt God. He does not help us to accomplish our goals in order to make us great, but rather that God is made great through our lives. Simon did not understand this.

Your silver: When we get what we want by using money as the means to obtain it, it is going to bring about destruction.

Reckoned: Thought, assumed

Verse 21: “Not is to you a portion nor lot in this Word, for your heart is not upright before God.”

This Word: Simon will not share in the ministry of the Word, as he does not have the right thoughts or objectives and does not have a connection with the mindset of God.

Verse 22: “Therefore, repent of this wickedness of yours and pray (beseech) to God if therefore He shall forgive you for the intent of your heart.

This intent of your heart: Simon had a wrong intent in his heart, a wrong purpose.

Verse 23: “For in the gall of bitterness and bound of unrighteousness, I see this being you.”

Gall of bitterness: Peter is telling Simon that his spiritual condition is rooted in bitterness. Simon does not really like himself (spiritually), and therefore he does not like God – who created him. This caused him to think of himself and not of God. Here he was trying to bring about a change so that he would like himself. We need to realize that we are a creation of God, and the only way to be faithful and serve God appropriately is if we affirm ourselves as His creation. We have value because God made us. We should like ourselves because God loved us enough that He sent His Son into this world and He died upon a cross for us. There is a purpose for our lives. We need to be thankful to God for giving us life and affirm in our lives that we belong to God. If we are not happy with ourselves (that we have life)
we will not be happy with God. When we have bitterness in our lives it is going to put us into bondage.

Bound of unrighteousness: Always pursuing that which is against God’s will – pursuing what we think will make us happy.

I see this being you: Peter had discernment.

Verse 24: “Simon answered and said, ‘You pray for me to the L-rd so that none should come upon me which you have spoken.’”

Pray for me: He was convicted by Peter’s words and knew inwardly that what Peter had said about him was right. This verse affirms Peter’s authority. God gives His servants authority, in order that His glory might be seen.

Verse 25: “Then they returned to Jerusalem, bearing testimony (thoroughly) and speaking out the Word of the L-rd in many other villages of Samaria.”

The Word of the L-rd: Emphasised in this passage.

Other villages of Samaria: As the Apostles were returning to Jerusalem they were evangelizing in many of the Samaritan villages.