Acts 8:28

Easy-to-Read Version

Now he was on his way home. He was sitting in his chariot reading from the book of Isaiah the prophet.

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
and was sitting in his chariot on his way home, reading the prophet Isaiah aloud.

King James Version (1611)
Was returning, and sitting in his charet, read Esaias the Prophet.

King James Version
Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.

English Standard Version
and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah.

New American Standard Bible
and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading Isaiah the prophet.

New Century Version
Now, as he was on his way home, he was sitting in his chariot reading from the Book of Isaiah, the prophet.

Amplified Bible
and he was returning, and sitting in his chariot he was reading [the scroll of] the prophet Isaiah.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah.

Legacy Standard Bible
and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah.

Berean Standard Bible
and on his return was sitting in his chariot, reading Isaiah the prophet.

Contemporary English Version
and was now on his way home. He was sitting in his chariot, reading the book of the prophet Isaiah.

Complete Jewish Bible
and now, as he was returning home, he was sitting in his chariot, reading the prophet Yesha‘yahu.

Darby Translation
was returning and sitting in his chariot: and he was reading the prophet Esaias.

Geneva Bible (1587)
And as he returned sitting in his charet, he read Esaias the Prophet.

George Lamsa Translation
While he was returning, sitting in his chariot, he read the book of the prophet Isa''iah.

Lexham English Bible
and was returning and sitting in his chariot, and reading aloud the prophet Isaiah.

Literal Translation
And he was returning. And sitting on his chariot he read the prophet Isaiah.

American Standard Version
and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah.

Bible in Basic English
He was going back, seated in his carriage, and was reading the book of the prophet Isaiah.

Hebrew Names Version
He was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Yesha`yahu.

International Standard Version
and was returning home. He was seated in his chariot, reading the prophet Isaiah.

Etheridge Translation
and while returning that he might go, he sat in the chariot and read in Eshaia the prophet.

Murdock Translation
And as he turned to go, he was sitting in his chariot, and was reading in Isaiah the prophet.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
And as he returned home agayne, sittyng in his charet, he read Esaias the prophete.

English Revised Version
and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah.

World English Bible
He was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah.

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
and had come to Jerusalem to worship, Was returning, and sitting in his chariot, read the prophet Isaiah.

Weymouth's New Testament
and was now on his way home; and as he sat in his chariot he was reading the Prophet Isaiah.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And he turnede ayen, sittinge on his chare, and redinge Isaie, the profete.

Update Bible Version
and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah.

Webster's Bible Translation
Was returning; and sitting in his chariot, read Isaiah the prophet.

New English Translation
and was returning home, sitting in his chariot, reading the prophet Isaiah.

New King James Version
was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet.

New Living Translation
and he was now returning. Seated in his carriage, he was reading aloud from the book of the prophet Isaiah.

New Life Bible
As he was going back home, he was sitting in his wagon reading about the early preacher Isaiah.

New Revised Standard
and was returning home; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And was returning, and, sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And he was returning, sitting in his chariot and reading Isaias the prophet.

Revised Standard Version
and was returning; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah.

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
And as he returned home agayne sittynge in his charet he rede Esay ye prophet

Young's Literal Translation
he was also returning, and is sitting on his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah.

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And returned home agayne, and satt vpon his charet, and red the prophet Esay.

Mace New Testament (1729)
but was now upon his return, and sat in his chariot, reading the prophet Esaias.

Simplified Cowboy Version
and was headed back home. He sat in his chariot as it bounced along the road and read aloud from the book of Isaiah.

Contextual Overview

²⁶ An angel of the Lord spoke to Philip. The angel said, "Get ready and go south on the road that leads down to Gaza from Jerusalem—the road that goes through the desert." ²⁷ So Philip got ready and went. On the road he saw a man from Ethiopia. He was a eunuch and an important official in the service of Candace, the queen of the Ethiopians. He was responsible for taking care of all her money. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship. ²⁸ Now he was on his way home. He was sitting in his chariot reading from the book of Isaiah the prophet. ²⁹ The Spirit said to Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it." ³⁰ So he went toward the chariot, and he heard the man reading from Isaiah the prophet. Philip asked him, "Do you understand what you are reading?" ³¹ The man answered, "How can I understand? I need someone to explain it to me." Then he invited Philip to climb in and sit with him. ³² The part of the Scriptures that he was reading was this: "He was like a sheep being led to the butcher. He was like a lamb that makes no sound as its wool is being cut off. He said nothing. ³³ He was shamed, and all his rights were taken away. His life on earth has ended. So there will be no story about his descendants." ³⁴ The official said to Philip, "Please, tell me, who is the prophet talking about? Is he talking about himself or about someone else?" ³⁵ Philip began to speak. He started with this same Scripture and told the man the Good News about Jesus.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

and sitting: Acts 17:11, Acts 17:12, Deuteronomy 6:6, Deuteronomy 6:7, Deuteronomy 11:18-20, Deuteronomy 17:18, Deuteronomy 17:19, Joshua 1:8, Psalms 1:2, Psalms 1:3, Psalms 119:99, Psalms 119:111, Proverbs 2:1-6, Proverbs 8:33, Proverbs 8:34, John 5:39, John 5:40, Colossians 3:16, 2 Timothy 3:15-17

Esaias: Acts 28:25, Isaiah 1:1, Isaiah, Luke 3:4, Luke 4:17

Reciprocal: Isaiah 18:7 - shall the Matthew 12:42 - queen John 12:38 - Esaias

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Was returning,.... From Jerusalem, having finished the parts of divine worship he came to perform; and it is remarkable, that though he must doubtless have heard of Jesus of Nazareth, and what had passed in Jerusalem lately, and of his apostles, yet heard them not; or however, was not converted by them, nor believed in Jesus; his conversion being ordered to be at another time, in another place, and by another instrument:

and sitting in his chariot: as was the manner of princes and great persons:

read Esaias the Prophet; the Book of the Prophecies of Isaiah the Prophet; and in Luke 4:17 it is called the "Book of the Prophet Esaias"; and in the note there, the Book of Isaiah"; he began to read, and went on till he came to this verse, "the burden of the desert of the sea", c.

Isaiah 21:1 and both the Arabic and Ethiopic versions here read, "the Book of the Prophet Isaiah." Isaiah 21:1- :. Some think the eunuch might be reading over some passages of Scripture in this prophet, which he had heard expounded at Jerusalem, to refresh his memory with what he had heard. This prophet is a very evangelical one, and very delightful and profitable to read: many things are prophesied by him concerning the Messiah, and particularly in the chapter in which the eunuch was reading and this being a time when there was great expectation of the Messiah, such passages might be read and expounded in their synagogues, which concerned him: however, the eunuch improved his time, as he was travelling in a religious way, which was very commendable; and as this was the occasion and opportunity which the Holy Ghost took to bring on his conversion, it may serve greatly to recommend the reading of the Scriptures.

s Shirhashirim Rabba, fol. 33. 1.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

And, sitting in his chariot - His carriage; his vehicle. The form of the carriage is not known. In some instances the carriages of the ancients were placed on wheels; in others were borne on poles, in the form of a “litter” or palanquin, by men, mules, or horses. See Calmet’s “Chariot” article.

Reading Esaias ... - Isaiah. Reading doubtless the translation of Isaiah called the Septuagint. This translation was made in Egypt for the special use of the Jews in Alexandria and throughout Egypt, and was what was commonly used. “Why” he was reading the Scriptures, and especially this prophet, is not certainly known. It is morally certain, however, that he was in Judea at the time of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus; that he had heard much of him; that this would be a subject of discussion; and it was natural for him, in returning, to look at the prophecies respecting the Messiah, either to meditate on them as a suitable subject of inquiry and thought, or to examine the claims of Jesus of Nazareth to this office. The prophecy in Isaiah 53:1-12; was so striking, and coincided so clearly with the character of Jesus, that it was natural for a candid mind to examine whether “he” might not be the person intended by the prophet. On this narrative we may remark:

1. It is a proper and profitable employment, upon returning from “worship,” to examine the Sacred Scriptures.

(2)It is well to be in the habit of reading the Scriptures when we are on a journey. It may serve to keep the heart from worldly objects, and secure the affections for God.

(3)It is well at all times to read the Bible. It is one of the means of grace. And it is when we are searching his will that we obtain light and comfort. The sinner should examine with a candid mind the sacred volume. It may be the means of conducting him in the true path of salvation.

1. God often gives us light in regard to the meaning of the Bible in unexpected modes. How little did this eunuch expect to be enlightened in the manner in which he actually was. Yet God, who intended to instruct and save him, sent the living teacher (Philip), and opened to him the Scriptures, and led him to the Saviour.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Acts 8:28. Sitting in his chariot, read Esaias the prophet. — He had gone to Jerusalem to worship: he had profited by his religious exercises: and even in travelling, he is improving his time. God sees his simplicity and earnestness, and provides him an instructer, who should lead him into the great truths of the Gospel, which, without such a one, he could not have understood. Many, after having done their duty, as they call it, in attending a place of worship, forget the errand that brought them thither, and spend their time, on their return, rather in idle conversation than in reading or conversing about the word of God. It is no wonder that such should be always learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.