Acts 8:31 "How can I," he said, "unless someone guides me?" And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

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◄ Acts 8:31 ►
New International Version
“How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

New Living Translation
The man replied, “How can I, unless someone instructs me?” And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him.

English Standard Version
And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

Berean Standard Bible
“How can I,” he said, “unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

Berean Literal Bible
And he said, “How indeed could I be able, unless someone will guide me?” And he invited Philip, having come up, to sit with him.

King James Bible
And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

New King James Version
And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him.

New American Standard Bible
And he said, “Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

NASB 1995
And he said, “Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

NASB 1977
And he said, “Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

Legacy Standard Bible
And he said, “Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

Amplified Bible
And he said, “Well, how could I [understand] unless someone guides me [correctly]?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

Berean Annotated Bible
“How can I, he said, “unless someone guides me? And he invited Philip (friend of horses) to come up and sit with him.

Christian Standard Bible
“How can I,” he said, “unless someone guides me? ” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
How can I,” he said, “unless someone guides me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

American Standard Version
And he said, How can I, except some one shall guide me? And he besought Philip to come up and sit with him.

Contemporary English Version
The official answered, "How can I understand unless someone helps me?" He then invited Philip to come up and sit beside him.

English Revised Version
And he said, How can I, except some one shall guide me? And he besought Philip to come up and sit with him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The official answered, "How can I understand unless someone guides me?" So he invited Philip to sit with him in his carriage.

Good News Translation
The official replied, "How can I understand unless someone explains it to me?" And he invited Philip to climb up and sit in the carriage with him.

International Standard Version
The man replied, "How can I unless someone guides me?" So he invited Philip to get in and sit with him.

NET Bible
The man replied, "How in the world can I, unless someone guides me?" So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

New Heart English Bible
He said, "How can I, unless someone explains it to me?" So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up, and sit with him.

Weymouth New Testament
"Why, how can I," replied the eunuch, "unless some one explains it to me?" And he earnestly invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
“How can I,” he said, “unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

World English Bible
He said, “How can I, unless someone explains it to me?” He begged Philip to come up and sit with him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And he said, “Why, how am I able, if someone may not guide me?” He called Philip also, having come up, to sit with him.

Berean Literal Bible
And he said, “How indeed could I be able, unless someone will guide me?” And he invited Philip, having come up, to sit with him.

Young's Literal Translation
and he said, 'Why, how am I able, if some one may not guide me?' he called Philip also, having come up, to sit with him.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he said, How can I, except somebody guide me? And he called upon Philip coming up to sit with him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Who said: And how can I, unless some man shew me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he said, “But how can I, unless someone will have revealed it to me?” And he asked Philip to climb up and sit with him.

New American Bible
He replied, “How can I, unless someone instructs me?” So he invited Philip to get in and sit with him.

New Revised Standard Version
He replied, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the E-thi-o’pi-an said, How can I understand unless some one teach me? and he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And he said, “How can I understand unless a man will instruct me?” And he asked Philippus to come up and sit with him.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
He answered: How can I, unless some one instruct me? And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

Godbey New Testament
And he said, How could I, unless some one shall guide me? And he called upon Philip coming up, to sit with him;

Haweis New Testament
He replied, How indeed can I, except some person guide me in the way? And he besought Philip to come up and sit with him.

Mace New Testament
how can I, answer'd he, without some expositor? and he desired Philip to mount, and sit with him.

Weymouth New Testament
"Why, how can I," replied the eunuch, "unless some one explains it to me?" And he earnestly invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

Worrell New Testament
But he said, "How, in fact, were I able, unless some one should guide me?" And he besought Philip, having come up, to sit with him.

Worsley New Testament
And he said, How can I, unless some one guide me? and he desired Philip to come up and sit with him.

Additional Translations ...
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Context
Philip and the Ethiopian
…30So Philip ran up and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. 31“How can I,” he said, “unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so He did not open His mouth.…
Cross References
“How can I,” he said, “unless someone guides me?”

Psalm 25:4-5
Show me Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths. / Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; all day long I wait for You.

John 16:13
However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come.

Luke 24:45
Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.
And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

Matthew 11:28-29
Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. / Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Luke 10:39
She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to His message.

John 1:39
“Come and see,” He replied. So they went and saw where He was staying, and spent that day with Him. It was about the tenth hour.
Isaiah 53:7-8
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth. / By oppression and judgment He was taken away, and who can recount His descendants? For He was cut off from the land of the living; He was stricken for the transgression of My people.

Romans 10:14
How then can they call on the One in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach?

Luke 24:27
And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was written in all the Scriptures about Himself.

1 Corinthians 2:14
The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Matthew 13:13-15
This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.’ / In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. / For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’

2 Timothy 3:15-17
From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. / All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, / so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.

Psalm 119:18
Open my eyes that I may see wondrous things from Your law.

Proverbs 4:7
Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding.

Jeremiah 31:33-34
“But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people. / No longer will each man teach his neighbor or his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquities and will remember their sins no more.”

1 John 2:27
And as for you, the anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But just as His true and genuine anointing teaches you about all things, so remain in Him as you have been taught.


Treasury of Scripture

And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

How.

Psalm 25:8,9
Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way…

Psalm 73:16,17,22
When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; …

Proverbs 30:2,3
Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man…

And he.

2 Kings 5:9,26
So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha…

2 Kings 10:15,16
And when he was departed thence, he lighted on Jehonadab the son of Rechab coming to meet him: and he saluted him, and said to him, Is thine heart right, as my heart is with thy heart? And Jehonadab answered, It is. If it be, give me thine hand. And he gave him his hand; and he took him up to him into the chariot…

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Acts 8
1. By occasion of the persecution in Jerusalem, the church being planted in Samaria,
4. by Philip the deacon, who preached, did miracles, and baptized many;
9. among the rest Simon the sorcerer, a great seducer of the people;
14. Peter and John come to confirm and enlarge the church;
15. where, by prayer and imposition of hands giving the Holy Spirit;
18. when Simon would have bought the like power of them,
20. Peter sharply reproving his hypocrisy and covetousness,
22. and exhorting him to repentance,
25. together with John preaching the word of the Lord, return to Jerusalem;
26. but the angel sends Philip to teach and baptize the Ethiopian Eunuch.










(追記) (追記ここまで)

“How can I,” he said, “unless someone guides me?”
This phrase is spoken by the Ethiopian eunuch, a high-ranking official in charge of the treasury of the Kandake, queen of the Ethiopians. His question highlights the necessity of guidance in understanding Scripture, reflecting the broader biblical theme that spiritual truths often require explanation and teaching. This aligns with Romans 10:14, which emphasizes the need for preaching and teaching for faith to arise. The eunuch's humility in admitting his need for guidance contrasts with the pride often seen in religious leaders of the time, such as the Pharisees, who believed they had all knowledge. This moment also underscores the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding believers into all truth, as promised in John 16:13.

And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
Philip, one of the seven deacons chosen in Acts 6, is led by the Holy Spirit to this divine appointment. The eunuch's invitation to Philip signifies openness and a desire to learn, which is crucial for spiritual growth. This act of inviting Philip to sit with him symbolizes fellowship and the breaking down of social and cultural barriers, as Philip, a Jew, engages with an Ethiopian Gentile. This moment foreshadows the inclusion of Gentiles into the early Christian church, a theme that becomes more prominent in Acts 10 with Peter and Cornelius. The physical act of sitting together to study Scripture reflects the rabbinic tradition of learning in community, emphasizing the importance of communal study and interpretation of God's Word.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Philip
One of the seven deacons chosen in Acts 6, Philip is an evangelist who is led by the Holy Spirit to meet the Ethiopian eunuch on the road from Jerusalem to Gaza.

2. Ethiopian Eunuch
A high-ranking official in charge of the treasury of the Kandake (queen) of the Ethiopians. He is a God-fearing Gentile who is returning from worshiping in Jerusalem and is reading the book of Isaiah.

3. The Road from Jerusalem to Gaza
A desert road where Philip encounters the Ethiopian eunuch. This setting emphasizes the divine orchestration of their meeting.

4. Isaiah the Prophet
The eunuch is reading from the book of Isaiah, specifically a passage that prophesies about Jesus Christ, which Philip uses to explain the gospel.

5. The Holy Spirit
The Spirit plays a crucial role in guiding Philip to the eunuch, demonstrating the importance of divine guidance in evangelism.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Guidance in Understanding Scripture
Just as the Ethiopian eunuch needed Philip to explain the Scriptures, believers today benefit from teachers and mentors who can help them understand God's Word.

The Role of the Holy Spirit in Evangelism
Philip's encounter with the eunuch was orchestrated by the Holy Spirit, reminding us to be sensitive to the Spirit's leading in our own evangelistic efforts.

The Universality of the Gospel
The Ethiopian eunuch represents the reach of the gospel beyond Jewish boundaries, emphasizing that the message of Christ is for all nations and peoples.

The Power of Scripture in Evangelism
Philip uses the Scriptures to explain the gospel, demonstrating the power and necessity of God's Word in sharing the message of salvation.

The Humility to Seek Understanding
The eunuch's willingness to admit his need for guidance is a model of humility and openness to learning, which is essential for spiritual growth.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Acts 8:31?

2. How can we seek guidance when we don't understand Scripture, like the eunuch?

3. What role does the Holy Spirit play in understanding Acts 8:31?

4. How does Acts 8:31 encourage us to disciple others in faith?

5. How can we apply the eunuch's humility in our Bible study approach?

6. What other Scriptures emphasize the importance of guidance in understanding God's Word?

7. How does Acts 8:31 emphasize the importance of guidance in understanding Scripture?

8. Why is the Ethiopian eunuch's request for guidance significant in Acts 8:31?

9. What role does Philip play in the interpretation of Scripture in Acts 8:31?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Acts 8?

What Does Acts 8:31 Mean
How can I,

The Ethiopian is reading Isaiah aloud, but he hits a wall. His simple question lays bare two realities:

• Scripture is living and true, yet it does not yield its treasures to mere curiosity (1 Corinthians 2:14; Psalm 119:18).

• Salvation comes by hearing, but hearing requires understanding (Romans 10:14–17).

He is saying, “I recognize the limits of my own insight.” That honesty is the first step toward revelation.

he said,

Notice he vocalizes the need.

• Humility opens the door to grace (James 4:6; Proverbs 11:2).

• Speaking the need invites God’s appointed help (Psalm 34:17).

His words show teachability, a quality God consistently honors—think of Cornelius in Acts 10:33, “Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen…”

unless someone guides me?

God’s design includes gifted guides (Ephesians 4:11–12).

• Philip’s role models discipleship: one believer helping another see Jesus in the Word (Luke 24:27).

• The Spirit orchestrates both the guide and the seeker (Acts 8:29).

• Ongoing guidance remains vital for believers (2 Timothy 2:2; Hebrews 13:7).

The question underscores that private interpretation must submit to the faithful teaching of the church.

And he invited Philip

Invitation turns need into action.

• Divine appointments still require human consent (Revelation 3:20).

• Hospitality creates space for truth (Hebrews 13:2; 3 John 8).

The eunuch chooses engagement over embarrassment, a pattern seen when Nathanael accepted Philip’s “Come and see” (John 1:46).

to come up and sit with him.

Proximity matters.

• Sitting side-by-side pictures fellowship, not hierarchy (Acts 16:14–15).

• Truth is best shared personally, not at arm’s length (1 Thessalonians 2:8).

• The chariot becomes a mobile small group where Jesus is revealed from Isaiah (Acts 8:35).

Learning the Word is relational; we grow as we invite faithful believers into our journey.

summary

Acts 8:31 shows a seeking heart, a humble confession of need, God’s provision of a gifted guide, and the power of personal, relational discipleship. The episode reminds us that Scripture is clear and authoritative, yet God intends it to be understood within the fellowship of believers who gladly sit together and point one another to Christ.

(31) How can I, except some man should guide me?--The words of the inquirer imply, as has been said above, that the prophecy was new to him. It is as though, in turning over, or perhaps unrolling, the MS., this was the passage which, in its strange, touching portraiture of the Man of Sorrows, had riveted his attention, and on which he was consequently dwelling with the prayer that some authorised interpreter would unfold its meaning. The word for "guide" connects itself with the title of "a guide of the blind," which the Rabbis were fond of claiming (Matthew 15:14; Romans 2:19).

Verse 31. - One shall for man should, A.V. and T.R.; he besought Philip to come up and sit with him for he desired Philip that he would, etc., A.V. He besought, etc. Tim humility and thirst for instruction of this great courtier are very remarkable, and the instance of the joint use of the written Word and the living teacher is noteworthy.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
“How
Πῶς (Pōs)
Adverb
Strong's 4459: Adverb from the base of pou; an interrogative particle of manner; in what way?; also as exclamation, how much!

can I,”
δυναίμην (dynaimēn)
Verb - Present Optative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1410: (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.

he said,
εἶπεν (eipen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

“unless
ἐὰν (ean)
Conjunction
Strong's 1437: If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.

someone
τις (tis)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.

guides
ὁδηγήσει (hodēgēsei)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3594: To lead, guide; met: I instruct, teach. From hodegos; to show the way (teach).

me?”
με (me)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

And
τε (te)
Conjunction
Strong's 5037: And, both. A primary particle of connection or addition; both or also.

he invited
παρεκάλεσέν (parekalesen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3870: From para and kaleo; to call near, i.e. Invite, invoke.

Philip
Φίλιππον (Philippon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5376: From philos and hippos; fond of horses; Philippus, the name of four Israelites.

to come up
ἀναβάντα (anabanta)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 305: To go up, mount, ascend; of things: I rise, spring up, come up. From ana and the base of basis; to go up.

[and] sit
καθίσαι (kathisai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 2523: Another form for kathezomai; to seat down, i.e. Set; intransitively, to sit; figuratively, to settle.

with
σὺν (syn)
Preposition
Strong's 4862: With. A primary preposition denoting union; with or together.

him.
αὐτῷ (autō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.


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NT Apostles: Acts 8:31 He said How can I unless someone (Acts of the Apostles Ac)

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