Bible Figure
Ethiopian eunuch
biblical figure who was baptised in the New Testament (Acts of the Apostles)
The Ethiopian eunuch was a high official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was returning from worship in Jerusalem while reading Isaiah. Guided by the Spirit, Philip explained the passage as good news about Jesus, and the official believed and was baptized.
Biography
Acts 8 describes an angel directing Philip away from the successful Samaritan mission to the road from Jerusalem toward Gaza. There he encountered an Ethiopian eunuch, an important court official responsible for the queen's treasury. The man had gone to Jerusalem to worship and was returning in his chariot while reading Isaiah aloud. The Spirit told Philip to approach. When Philip asked whether he understood what he was reading, the official replied that he needed someone to guide him and invited Philip to sit with him. The passage was Isaiah's description of one led like a sheep to slaughter. Beginning from that Scripture, Philip proclaimed the good news about Jesus. When they came to water, the eunuch asked what prevented him from being baptized. After the baptism, the Spirit carried Philip away, and the official continued on his way rejoicing. Scripture does not give his personal name or narrate his later life.
Biblical Significance
The Ethiopian eunuch is an important early example of the Gospel crossing ethnic, geographic, and social boundaries. His conversion also demonstrates Christ-centered interpretation of Isaiah and the close connection in Acts between hearing the Gospel, faith, baptism, and joy.