“And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?”
The eunuch asked Philip, 'Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?' - the eunuch's question is the pivot point: 'Who is the prophet talking about?' (peri tinos ho prophētēs legei touto;). He does not know whether Isaiah speaks about himself or 'someone else.' This is the gap into which Philip will insert the gospel; the eunuch's ignorance becomes opportunity for revelation.
Church Fathers on Acts 8:34
And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. 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 you, of whom speaks the prophet this? Of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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