Simon believes and receives the influence of the Spirit, together with the other believers. But here his past as magician comes to the surface again: magic and power, money, and honour.
Simon considers the apostles to be men who have special power, much like he had in his time as a magician. Impressed by the visible and audible manifestation of the Spirit, he wants the ability to do the same, the power to bestow the Spirit on others,1 for wasn’t he known in Samaria as the power of God that is called Great
(Acts 8:10)? He wants to have control over the power (“exousia” meaning government, the competent authority) so that he himself can hand out the Spirit to whoever wants it.
Simon’s request shows that he has misunderstood God’s grace. He does not understand that the Spirit is a gift of God. Simon wants to stand on the apostles’ foundation but must yet break with all superstition and evil teaching. He still has a long way to go in terms of the transformation of his mind (Romans 12:1–2).
From Simon's request we have the English word simony,
which refers to someone who pays money in order to secure ecclesiastical office.
18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money,