“But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Cesarea.”
Philip appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea - Philip reappears at Azotus (biblical Ashdod), continuing his missionary work. The sweep 'preached the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea' (euangelizethai tous poleis hasta tou Kaisareias) shows geographic expansion northward along the coastal plain. Philip becomes a missionary to the regions of Judea, fulfilling Acts 1:8. The chapter ends with expansion and proclamation; the gospel moves outward despite persecution.
Church Fathers on Acts 8:40
For, it says, he went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Cæsarea. Acts 8:40 This (Philip, therefore) was one of the seven; for there in fact he is afterwards found at Cæsarea. It was well and expedient therefore that the Spirit caught Philip away; else the eunuch would have desired to go with him, and Philip would have grieved him by declining to comply with his request, the time being not…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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