The interpretation timeline

Acts 8:38

How this passage has been read — the sources, oldest to newest.

From the early Church Fathers to now.

Acts 8:38 · Douay-Rheims
“And he commanded the chariot to stand still; and they went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch: and he baptized him.”
Patristic before A.D. 750
407
A.D.
John Chrysostom Patristic
A.D. 347–407
“And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. Be ashamed, all ye as many as are unbaptized.”
430
A.D.
Augustine of Hippo Patristic
A.D. 354–430
“This same Philip, who had baptized people, and the Holy Spirit had not come upon them until the apostles had come along and laid their hands on them, baptized the eunuch of queen Candace who had been worshiping in Jerusalem, and on his way back from there he was reading the prophet Isaiah in his chariot and not understanding it. Philip was prompted to approach the chariot, and he explained the reading, insinuated the faith, preached Christ. The eunuch believed in Christ and said, when they came to some water, "Look, here is water; who is to prevent me being baptized? Philip said to him, "Do you believe in Jesus Christ?" He answered, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." And immediately he went down with him into the water. Once the mystery and sacrament of baptism had been carried out, since there was no expectation of the apostles coming as on the previous occasion, so that no one should think the gift of the Holy Spirit was at the disposal of mortals, the Holy Spirit came immediately.”
Source
Modern · 1953 →

The in-app commentary runs from the Fathers to the early-modern record, then stops — that's where the public-domain sources end, not where the reading does. For the modern reading, follow the sources directly.