Which sorcerer tried to buy the Holy Spirit from Peter?

Simon Magus tried to buy the power to impart the Holy Spirit from Peter and John. His attempted purchase is described in Acts 8 and gave rise to the term “simony,” meaning the buying or selling of sacred offices or spiritual benefits.

Simon was a Samaritan magician, or magus, who had attracted attention in Samaria. After hearing Philip preach, he was baptized and continued observing the apostles’ miracles. When Peter and John laid hands on believers and the Holy Spirit was given, Simon offered them money for the same ability.

Peter sharply rebuked him, declaring that God’s gift could not be purchased. Simon then asked the apostles to pray for him. The brief New Testament account does not clearly establish whether his repentance was sincere.

Later Christian writers expanded Simon’s biography and portrayed him as an early heretic or rival of Peter. Ananias and Elymas were also figures associated with wrongdoing or magic, but neither made this request. Bar-Jesus, another name for Elymas, appears in Acts 13 rather than Acts 8.