Category:Simon Magus (subject)

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

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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 trdition 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

• Simon Magus (sources) -- survey of ancient sources

Simon Magus in literature & the arts

• Simon Magus (arts) -- survey of fictional works

Simon Magus in scholarship

• Simon Magus (research) -- survey of scholarly works

Related categories

• Peter (subject) / John (subject)

External links

• Wikipedia
• Jewish Encyclopedia (1906) / Catholic Encyclopedia (1913)