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Acts 8:7
ESV For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed.
NIV For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed.
NASB For in the case of many who had unclean spirits, they were coming out of them shouting with a loud voice; and many who had been paralyzed or limped on crutches were healed.
CSB For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed, and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed.
NLT Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed.
KJV For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.
NKJV For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed.

What does Acts 8:7 mean?

Philip has fled persecution in Jerusalem and found safety and acceptance in Samaria. The region isn't known for getting along with Jews (Luke 9:51–56), but the Holy Spirit has empowered Philip to heal people and expel demons, and the people are very interested in what he has to say about Jesus (Acts 8:1–6).

It's unclear why demons cry out when they leave a person (see Mark 1:26; 9:26). It may be out of anger that they have no choice but to obey God. Philip also follows Jesus' example of healing the paralyzed (Matthew 8:6–13; Luke 5:18–25) and lame (Matthew 15:30–31; 21:14), but it's interesting to note that only Jesus ever healed a blind person (Matthew 9:27–30; 11:4–5; 12:22; 15:30–31; 20:30–34; 21:14).

Although the Samaritans listen carefully to Philip's words, they have not yet received the Holy Spirit. Their salvation, such as it is, is more like that of a Jewish proselyte who believes in the Jewish Messiah and God's ability and willingness to save. Salvation from the Jewish God coming upon Samaritans is an extremely significant step in Jesus' plan for His followers to spread the gospel (Acts 1:8). The Holy Spirit waits until Peter and John—the two most prominent apostles—arrive to witness the conversion (Acts 8:14–17). Peter and John are able to tell the other apostles that Samaritans can be saved, and the Samaritans are validated as being part of the Christian church.
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