lectionary.com

Easter Season · Sixth Sunday of Easter · Year A

Acts 8:5-8, 14-17

Philip Preaches in Samaria

May 10, 2026

Confirmation, Nicolas Poussin
Confirmation, Nicolas Poussin, 1645National Galleries of Scotland, Edinburgh
A hand laid on the head of one kneeling figure after another, in a dark hall with the next candidates waiting their turn.Then Peter and John laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.Nicolas PoussinPoussin, painting the seven sacraments as events in the early church rather than as church ceremonies.National Galleries of Scotland, EdinburghThe National Galleries of Scotland, Edinburgh.National Galleries of Scotland, Edinburgh
Roman Lectionary
GospelJohn 14:15-21Jn 14:15-21Alt. GospelJohn 17:1-11aJn 17:1-11a
Second Reading1 Pet. 3:15-181 Pt 3:15-18Alt. 2nd Reading1 Pet. 4:13-161 Pt 4:13-16
First ReadingActs 8:5-8, 14-17
Responsorial PsalmPs. 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16+20 (1)Ps 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16+20 (1)

Overview & Insights

“So there was much joy in that city.” (Acts 8:8)

The persecution that follows Stephen’s death scatters the Jerusalem believers, and Luke turns that scattering into mission (8:1-4). Philip, one of the seven appointed a chapter earlier, goes down to a city of Samaria, which in the programme of Acts 1:8 is the second ring outward from Jerusalem, and a charged one, since Samaritans were kin and rivals at once. His preaching is accompanied by exorcisms and healings, and the section ends on joy (v. 8). The lectionary then skips the Simon episode (vv. 9-13) and joins the apostolic follow-up. That the Samaritans are baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus yet receive the Spirit only when Peter and John arrive and lay hands on them is among the most discussed sequences in Acts, read by some as Luke’s insistence that no separate Samaritan church could form, and by others as the scriptural root of confirmation.

From Sermons.com: Join Today to access the most scholarly & well written preaching resources anywhere.

Take it further: Acts 8:5-8, 14-17

Commentary

Commentary on Acts 8:14-17 Working Preacher (Luther Seminary)

Lutheran exegesis of the Samaritans receiving the Spirit through Peter and John's hands, the second half of this reading.

Acts 8:14-17 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

Reformed preaching-focused commentary on the same verses, noting the wordplay between 'sorcery' and 'magi' in the chapter.

Sixth Sunday of Easter, Cycle A Agape Bible Study

Catholic verse-by-verse walkthrough of all this Sunday's readings including Philip's mission to Samaria.

Unity is Not Partisan, Easter 6 (A) The Episcopal Church, Sermons That Work

Anglican sermon on this Sunday's texts, reading the Samaritan Pentecost as a model of unity across difference.

Acts 8 Commentary: Philip and the Samaritans Enduring Word

Full-chapter verse-by-verse commentary covering both halves of the pericope, Philip's preaching and the apostles' visit.

Background & Word Study

Book of Acts Summary (Acts 1-12) BibleProject

Animated overview video covering the literary design of the half of Acts that includes chapter 8.

Acts 8 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek interlinear for the chapter, useful for the laying-on-of-hands and Spirit-reception vocabulary.

The Church Fathers

Catena on Acts 8 Catena Bible

Patristic comments assembled verse by verse on Philip in Samaria and the apostles' visit.

Prep at sermons.com

Ready to write?

  • Full sermons on John 14:15-21
  • Illustrations cleared for use in worship
  • Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
Open it at sermons.com →

Trusted by pastors since 1995.

Free every Tuesday

Illustrations & Sermon Prep in your inbox

The coming Sunday’s readings, a cleared-for-use illustration, and a sermon-prep head start. One email, free.