In the Greek text Samaria is the subject of receiving the word of God, but this obviously is a reference to the people of Samaria. In many languages, one cannot speak of “receiving the word of God.” One can only “believe the word of God.” Many languages, moreover, make a clear distinction between the word that comes from God (that is, the message which comes from God) and God’s own spoken words. In this context, of course, it is a message which comes from God and is about Jesus Christ.

Some persons have thought that John might here refer to John Mark (who in 13.5 and 13 is called simply John in the Greek text, though identified as John Mark in the Good News Translation), but this is quite doubtful.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .