“But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.”
My Notes
What Does Acts 8:20 Mean?
Simon the sorcerer sees the apostles laying hands on people to receive the Holy Spirit and offers money to buy the same ability. Peter's response is volcanic: "Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money."
The phrase "thy money perish with thee" (eis apōleian — to destruction) is as severe as anything an apostle says in Acts. Peter isn't gently correcting. He's pronouncing judgment. The offense is proportional to the severity: Simon tried to buy God's gift with currency. He tried to make the sacred transactional.
The word "simony" — the buying and selling of spiritual offices — comes directly from this passage. Simon's error became an entire category of corruption. Every time a spiritual position is purchased, a gift is monetized, or grace is commodified, Simon's ghost is in the room.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Where do you see 'simony' today — the attempt to buy, sell, or monetize spiritual gifts and experiences?
- 2.Why is Peter's response so severe — what does Simon's request reveal about his understanding of God?
- 3.How does the difference between 'cheap' and 'free' change how you receive God's gifts?
- 4.Have you ever treated something sacred as transactional — and what did that reveal about your heart?
Devotional
"Thy money perish with thee." Peter doesn't mince words. You tried to buy God's gift. You and your money can go to destruction together.
Simon watched the apostles lay hands on people and the Spirit arrive. And his first thought wasn't worship. It was commerce. How much? What's the price? I want that ability. Name your figure.
The instinct is so deeply human it named a sin: simony. The attempt to purchase what can only be given. To monetize grace. To make the sacred available at market rate.
Peter's fury reveals something about the nature of God's gifts: they cannot be bought. Not because they're worthless, but because they're priceless. The moment you put a price tag on the Holy Spirit, you've fundamentally misunderstood what you're looking at. You're not looking at a product. You're looking at a person. And persons aren't for sale.
This isn't just about Simon. It's about every system that has since tried to package, sell, or monetize spiritual experience. Pay for a prayer. Buy an anointing. Purchase access to God's power. Every version of this is Simon's sin wearing new clothes.
God's gifts are free. Not cheap — free. The difference matters infinitely. Cheap means low value. Free means the cost was paid by someone else. The gift of the Spirit cost Jesus His life. It's the most expensive thing in the universe. And it's offered for free.
Don't insult the cross by opening your wallet.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter,.... Or business of the gift of the Holy Ghost; signifying, that as he had…
Thy money perish with thee - This is expressive of the horror and indignation of Peter at the base offer of Simon. It is…
Thy money perish with thee - This is an awful declaration; and imports thus much, that if he did not repent, he and his…
God had wonderfully owned Philip in his work as an evangelist at Samaria, but he could do no more than an evangelist;…
But Peter said unto him, Thy money[silver] perish with thee It is clear from what follows that this terrible invocation…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture