Definition: Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this passage from Acts 1:18. It’s a really powerful and dramatic verse! Here's what it means, explained simply: The Basic Story: This verse describes a significant event in the early church – when the Apostle Peter was speaking to the crowd in Jerusalem. Peter was talking about a field that had been purchased for a large amount of land. He then says, “And this man… purchased a field with the reward of iniquity.” Let’s unpack "iniquity": Iniquity is a tricky word. It means sin . But it's more than just doing wrong – it refers to a deeper, more significant act of wickedness – something that goes beyond simple disobedience or bad behavior. It suggests a profound and perhaps even monstrous kind of wrongdoing. What happened next? "Falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst..." This is where it gets really striking. Peter is describing a massive explosion! He was speaking while he was wrestling with a demon, and this explosion happened right there , in the middle of his speech. What did the explosion contain? All his bowels gushed out: This is a key image. “Bowels” refers to the bowels – the organs within the belly (the digestive system). So, Peter was releasing all the sin and wickedness that had been accumulated in him – his spirit, his thoughts, his desires - everything that was causing him to be troubled by the demon. What’s the significance? A Powerful Symbol: This verse is often interpreted as a symbol of divine judgment and cleansing. It's like a massive outpouring of God’s power to wash away evil. Peter's Strength & Vulnerability: It highlights Peter’s incredible strength – he was wrestling with the demon, but this explosion demonstrates that his spiritual life was fundamentally broken by sin. It also shows that even though he was vulnerable, he had the potential for extraordinary transformation. In short, it’s a vivid image of God's cleansing power unleashed through the release of sin and wickedness. Important Note: This is a complex passage with various interpretations throughout Christian history. Different theologians and Bible readers offer different insights into what this verse means. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of the verse? Discuss the context of this event in the early church? Explore some different interpretations of this passage?