Simon (the Magician)

Technical Profile

• Name Meaning: Greek form of Hebrew Shim‘on (“he has heard”)
• Period/Era: Early Church (Apostolic Age; Second Temple Period setting)
• Main References: Acts 8:9–24
• Key Connections: Philip the evangelist; Peter and John; believers in Samaria

Who was Simon (the Magician)?

Simon was a man in Samaria who practiced magic and gained public acclaim.
He was described as having previously amazed the people and received their attention.
After Philip preached in Samaria, Simon professed belief and was baptized.
He later tried to obtain apostolic authority over the Spirit’s giving with money.

Key Events & Achievements

• Event 1: Practiced magic in Samaria and drew widespread notice (Acts 8:9–11).
• Event 2: Responded to Philip’s preaching with belief, baptism, and close association (Acts 8:12–13).
• Event 3: Offered money to Peter and John for the ability to confer the Holy Spirit and was rebuked (Acts 8:18–24).

Life Lesson & Legacy

Simon’s account illustrates that participation in the church can be accompanied by attempts to treat God’s gifts as controllable or purchasable rather than received through faith.

Key Verse

"May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!" — Acts 8:20, ESV