The Apostolic Age · AD 4–70 · External witness
Simon Magus
d. c. 65 (trad., at Rome) · Samaritan magus · Archetype of heresy · Samaria → Rome
External witness
Who Simon Magus was
The sorcerer of Samaria “to whom they all gave heed… saying, This man is the great power of God,” who believed, was baptized, and then offered the apostles money for the Spirit — buying him instead a name for every age: simony. “Thy money perish with thee.” Justin Martyr, himself a Samaritan, reports that nearly all his nation revered Simon, that he came to Rome under Claudius, and that a statue there was (mistakenly, it turns out) read as his; Irenaeus derives “all heresies” from him and his consort Helena. The legends of his flight and fall before Peter at Rome are the Acts of Peter’s theater — but the pattern-heretic behind them was a man the apostles really met.
Also listed in non-christian witnesses.
Common questions
When did Simon Magus die?
Simon Magus is dated d. c. 65 (trad., at Rome) in the archive, which places Simon Magus in the Apostolic Age (AD 4–70). The dating is traditional and approximate; the archive marks it as uncertain rather than fixing a year the sources do not give.
Which early sources mention Simon Magus?
Simon Magus is named in 4 primary-source passages catalogued here, drawn from Luke, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus of Lyon and Hippolytus of Rome. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Simon Magus from?
The archive associates Simon Magus with Samaria, Rome. The sources record more than one location, so the places are listed in the order the record moves through them.
Who were Simon Magus’ contemporaries?
The archive links Simon Magus to 6 other figures, including Simon Peter, Philip the Evangelist, Menander of Samaria and Elymas (Bar-Jesus). Each connection is drawn from a source that places them together, not from inference.
Scripture record
Primary-source mentions (4)
Every passage below is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Acts 8:20
c. AD 85But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.Luke · read ↗
First Apology 26
c. AD 155There was a Samaritan, Simon, a native of the village called Gitto, who in the reign of Claudius Caesar… did mighty acts of magic, and was considered a god, and as a god was honoured among you with a statue.Justin Martyr · 26 · source text
Against Heresies I.23.1 (fount of all heresies)
c. AD 180Simon the Samaritan was that magician of whom Luke, the disciple and follower of the apostles, says, 'But there was a certain man, Simon by name, who beforetime used magical arts in that city.'Irenaeus of Lyon · Against Heresies I.23.1 · source text
Refutation of All Heresies VI.2–15
c. AD 225Connected in the archive
People
Events in this lifetime
- AD 30 · Crucifixion, Resurrection and Pentecost, AD 30–33
- AD 44 · Persecution under Herod Agrippa I, AD 44
- AD 49 · The Council of Jerusalem, AD 49
- AD 57 · Paul writes Romans, AD 57
- AD 62 · James the Just stoned, AD 62
- AD 64 · The Great Fire and Nero’s persecution, AD 64
Place
Places served
The 2 places the sources put Simon Magus, in the order the record moves through them. This is what the sources attest, not a reconstructed route.