The Ethiopian Eunuch
Gentile Ethiopian; treasurer of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians (generally understood to be a Gentile worshipper of God) · Early Church · New Testament
- Also called
- eunuch, man of Ethiopia
- Role
- Ethiopian court official baptised by Philip
- When
- c. AD 34
What they did
Returning from worship at Jerusalem, he was reading Isaiah in his chariot when Philip joined him and preached Jesus from the scripture; he believed, was baptised, and went on his way rejoicing.
Why it matters: the purpose of their role
His conversion carried the gospel toward the ends of the earth and showed that no one is excluded from God's family by nation or status.
And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. Acts 8:39 (KJV)
Bible references
And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. Acts 8:27-28 (KJV)
The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. Acts 8:32-35 (KJV)
And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. Acts 8:36-38 (KJV)
And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. Acts 8:39 (KJV)
Family
Scripture records little about this person's family.