<p>8:26 <em>But an angel of the Lord </em><i>spoke to Philip, saying: Arise and go toward the south<em>- </em></i>A literal Angel? Or perhaps a messenger sent to Philip, to whom he faithfully responded.</p><p><em>To the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza</em>- This appears to echo the parable of the good Samaritan, which had been programmatic for the decision to preach to and accept Samaritans as recorded in the previous verses. For <em>Gaza, </em>see on :27 <em>Treasure.</em></p><p><em>The same is desert</em>- There is a theme in the New Testament that major response to preaching is often unexpected. The disciples were told to cast the net on the other side, when they were convinced there would be no response. Philip was told to go onto a road, probably in the heat of the day- when nobody was travelling. His willingness to go, to do at least something, resulted in an amazing response. This is exactly why predicting response to preaching is well-nigh impossible. It&rsquo;s why the geographical spread of the Gospel is so hard to explain when it is humanly analysed.</p>