Peter’s response to Simon is very strong and clear. He is warning him that God will destroy him (cf. Deuteronomy 8:19; Job 11:20; Isaiah 57:4; Daniel 2:5) if he does not repent and continues to think and act as if God can be manipulated with money.
Peter reacts fiercely toward Simon: do you think that you can buy the gift of God—that which only God can give us? Do you think you can stand in God’s place? May you perish with all your silver. Your attitude is completely wrong. You have no part in this matter: you close yourself off from the kingdom, outside the Spirit. “Your heart is not right before God.” You are filled with venom, and with poison you infect your surroundings. You are caught in a net of evil, the devil. This is how Peter looks into Simon’s heart, such as we will never be able to look into each other’s heart.
20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!