The Eunuch’s Salvation: His Driver’s Perspective
This is a fictional account of what the chariot driver might have thought or said during the encounter between Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch, as recorded in Acts 8:25-40.
The heat of the day clung to the air, and dust from the wheels of the chariot swirled around us. All I could think about was getting home. I’d been driving the eunuch all over the place for what felt like weeks, and now he wanted to stop in the middle of nowhere to read from his scroll.
I huffed under my breath. What now? He’s always reading that scroll. At least it keeps him quiet. I tugged at the reins to slow the chariot when I noticed someone up ahead—a man standing right there on the side of the road. My shoulders sagged. Great. Now this guy’s probably going to ask for food or a ride.
But the eunuch, ever polite, waved him over. Before I could stop him, this stranger—a scruffy-looking fellow, if you ask me—ran right up to the chariot. I tightened my grip on the reins, preparing for some kind of awkward scene.
This stranger’s name was Phillip. He had approached with a calm confidence, and now he asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?”
The eunuch looked at Philip, puzzled for a moment. “How can I, unless someone guides me?” he replied, his voice filled with a mix of curiosity and humility (Acts 8:31). It was clear he was eager to understand more, and with that, he invited Philip to explain further.
I blinked. What was this? The eunuch never admitted he didn’t know something. But now he was inviting this dusty traveler up into the chariot like they were old friends. Perfect, I thought. Another delay. I just want to get home.
As the chariot creaked forward again, I kept half an ear on their conversation. The stranger was explaining something from the scroll. Something about a lamb being led to the slaughter and not opening its mouth. I didn’t understand much of it, but the way he spoke... it was like he really believed every word.
I glanced back at the eunuch. He wasn’t just listening—he was leaning in, like a man who’d been starving and suddenly found a feast.
“Who is this prophet talking about?” the eunuch asked, his voice eager. “Is it about himself or someone else?” (Acts 8:34).
Philip’s answer was calm but powerful. He began telling him the good news about Jesus—the Lamb of God, who took the punishment our sin. He spoke of how Jesus died and rose again, offering salvation to anyone who believes in Him.
I was still gripping the reins, pretending not to care, but something about what he said struck me. I’d heard people talk about gods and sacrifices before, but this... this was different. It wasn’t about what people had to do to reach God—it was about what God had already done to reach people.
Suddenly, the eunuch’s voice broke into my thoughts. “Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?” (Acts 8:36).
Before I knew it, we were stopping again. The eunuch stepped out of the chariot with Philip and waded into the water by the roadside. I watched as Philip dipped him under the surface and raised him back up, his face glowing with joy.
It was then that I felt it. A strange stirring in my chest—something I couldn’t explain. I didn’t know much about this Jesus, but I knew I’d just witnessed something real. The eunuch wasn’t the same man who had climbed back into the chariot.
As we started moving again, the eunuch couldn’t stop smiling. I stayed quiet, lost in my thoughts.
You're right—the driver wouldn't have known exactly what happened to Philip, so let's rework that part to reflect his perspective more accurately. Here's an updated version:
Then I looked back, and Philip was gone. Just like that, disappeared without a trace. But at that moment, I didn’t know what to make of it. All I could focus on was the peace on the eunuch’s face, the joy in his voice. The words that kept echoing in my mind were simple yet profound: Salvation is for all who believe.
Fifty years ago, I dedicated my life to serving the Lord. I earned an associate degree in Christian Education and a bachelor’s degree in Christian Counseling. In my retirement, I am committed to studying and teaching God’s Word. In addition to writing this blog, I also manage three Facebook pages dedicated to sharing the message of God. Email: hopeinchrist2024@yahoo.com
I am the author of two books: Embracing God's Wisdom: A Journey of Faith and Reflection and Embracing God’s Wisdom: Paul’s Commands for Victorious Living. Both are available on Amazon.