When Philip proclaims Jesus Christ in Samaria, Simon the Magician stands over against him. Luke mentions Simon to set up a deliberate contrast with Philip.1 This Simon operates a flourishing business with his magic in that melting pot of religions, superstition, and occultism. He uses magic to contact good and evil forces and tries to master them—to ward off evil spirits, drive them out, and propitiate the gods.
In the Greco-Roman world, many people are insecure and feel threatened, and they seek security with magicians, who, among other things, predict the future. This Simon is in contact with the devil, who reigns over the powers and forces of darkness (compare Ephesians 2:2).
This enemy of God wants to prevent people giving themselves over to Christ. In the same way, Paul was opposed by the Jewish magician Elymas on Cyprus (Acts 13:8–12).
Simon is a popular magician who can predict the future and is in touch with the world of the gods and spirits of those who have died. It makes him a lot of money. For a long time already, Simon plies his trade
with his special gifts and signs; young and old in Samaria find him fascinating (Acts 8:9–11). The people think that he displays (in himself) the power of God: This man is the power of God that is called Great
(“mega dunamis,” Acts 8:10). A mediator between the gods and the people. Simon becomes a man who is worshipped like a god. People could almost think that he is the promised Messiah!
9 But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great.