Category:Simon Magus (subject)

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Simon Magus was a Samaritan magician who joined the early Christian movement.

< Spread of the Gospel to Samaria >


Overview

According to the Acts of the Apostles, the Samaritan Simon was a magician who was reputed to be the Great Power of God. He became a Christian listening to the preaching of Philip the Evangelist, and received baptism. When Peter and John also came to Samaria, he offered them money to have the power of delivering the Holy Spirit. Peter harshly reproached him.

Legends flourished in Christian tradition about the character of Simon Magus since the 2nd century (Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Hippolytus, and others). His figure was associated with Gnostic heresy.

The Acts of Peter gave a legendary account of the death of Simon Magus, whose levitation was interrupted by Peter, causing his fall. In the Acts of Peter and Paul the same episode is narrated in the context of a debate before the Emperor Nero.

Simon Magus, in ancient sources

Acts of the Apostles

Acts 8:9-24 (NRSV) -- [9] Now a certain man named Simon had previously practised magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he was someone great. [10] All of them, from the least to the greatest, listened to him eagerly, saying, ‘This man is the power of God that is called Great.’ [11] And they listened eagerly to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. [12] But when they believed Philip, who was proclaiming the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. [13] Even Simon himself believed. After being baptized, he stayed constantly with Philip and was amazed when he saw the signs and great miracles that took place.

[14] Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. [15] The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit [16] (for as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). [17] Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. [18] Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, [19] saying, ‘Give me also this power so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.’ [20] But Peter said to him, ‘May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain God’s gift with money! [21] You have no part or share in this, for your heart is not right before God. [22] Repent therefore of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. [23] For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and the chains of wickedness.’ [24] Simon answered, ‘Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may happen to me.’

Simon Magus, in the arts

Simon Magus, in scholarship

Related categories

External links

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