Acts 8:17

Translations

King James Version (KJV)

Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

American King James Version (AKJV)

Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

American Standard Version (ASV)

Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Basic English Translation (BBE)

Then they put their hands on them, and the Holy Spirit came on them.

Webster's Revision

Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

World English Bible

Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

English Revised Version (ERV)

Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

Clarke's Acts 8:17 Bible Commentary

Then laid they their hands on them - Probably only on some select persons, who were thought proper for public use in the Church. They did not lay hands on all; for certainly no hands in this way were laid on Simon.

Barnes's Acts 8:17 Bible Commentary

Then laid they their hands ... - This was an act of "prayer," expressing an invocation to God that he would impart the blessing to "them." On "how many" they laid their hands is not said. It is evident that it was not on "all," for they did not thus lay hands on Simon. Perhaps it was done on a few of the more prominent and leading persons, who were to be employed particularly in bearing witness to the truth of the gospel. It was customary to lay the hands on any person when a "favor" was to be conferred or a blessing imparted. See notes on Matthew 9:18.