John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 7. For unclean spirits , etc.] Devils, so called because they were unclean themselves, defiled others, add delighted in impure persons and places; (See Gill on Matthew 10:1) crying with loud voice ; showing their unwillingness to remove, and the irresistibleness of divine power they could not withstand: came out of many that were possessed with them; who had for a long time dwelt in them, and had greatly afflicted them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed ; by Philip, in the name of Christ, through a word speaking, or by touching them, without making use of any means or medicines.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 5-13 - As far as the gospel prevails, evil spirits are dislodged, particularl unclean spirits. All inclinations to the lusts of the flesh which wa against the soul are such. Distempers are here named, the mos difficult to be cured by the course of nature, and most expressive of the disease of sin. Pride, ambition, and desire after grandeur have always caused abundance of mischief, both to the world and to the church. The people said of Simon, This man is the great power of God See how ignorant and thoughtless people mistake. But how strong is the power of Divine grace, by which they were brought to Christ, who is Truth itself! The people not only gave heed to what Philip said, but were fully convinced that it was of God, and not of men, and gave u themselves to be directed thereby. Even bad men, and those whose heart still go after covetousness, may come before God as his people come and for a time continue with them. And many wonder at the proofs of Divine truths, who never experience their power. The gospel preache may have a common operation upon a soul, where it never produced inwar holiness. All are not savingly converted who profess to believe the gospel.
Greek Textus Receptus
πολλων 4183 A-GPM γαρ 1063 CONJ των 3588 T-GPM εχοντων 2192 5723 V-PAP-GPM πνευματα 4151 N-APN ακαθαρτα 169 A-APN βοωντα 994 5723 V-PAP-NPN μεγαλη 3173 A-DSF φωνη 5456 N-DSF εξηρχετο 1831 5711 V-INI-3S πολλοι 4183 A-NPM δε 1161 CONJ παραλελυμενοι 3886 5772 V-RPP-NPM και 2532 CONJ χωλοι 5560 A-NPM εθεραπευθησαν 2323 5681 V-API-3P
Vincent's NT Word Studies
7. Taken with palsies (paralelumenoi). Rev., more neatly, palsied. See on Luke v. 18.Were healed. See on Luke v. 15.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
8:7 {For many} (polloi gar). So the correct text of the best MSS., but there is an anacoluthon as this nominative has no verb with it. It was "the unclean spirits" that "came out" (exerconto, imperfect middle). The margin of the Revised Version has it "came forth," as if they came out of a house, a rather strained translation. The loud outcry is like the demons cast out by Jesus (#Mr 3:11; Lu 4:41). {Palsied} (paralelumenoi, perfect passive participle). Luke's usual word, loosened at the side, with no power over the muscles. Furneaux notes that "the servant was reaping where the Master had sown. Samaria was the mission field white for the harvest (#Joh 4:35)." The Samaritans who had been bewitched by Simon are now carried away by Philip.
