Bible Passage Scripture Block

But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.” And Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”

Peter rebuked him (Simon) telling him that he thought he could purchase God's gift with money and that his heart was not right before God. Therefore, he should repent and pray to God that the intent of his heart might be forgiven. Simon responded by asking them to pray for him so that none of the announced consequences would come upon him.

The apostles in Jerusalem learn that the people in Samaria have received the word of God [gospel message] so they send them Peter and John. The people there had only been baptized into Jesus but the Holy Spirit had not yet “fallen on them.” (vs 16) When “Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city” (vs 9) became a baptized believer (vs 13), he offered money for the ability to give the Holy Spirit to others by laying his hands on them (vss 18-19).