The Message of Jesus being spoken of was so holy and precious that it required a radically transformed life after hearing it. And that is not something that has disappeared since this account was written.
I am sure many more in Samaria were in the same shoes as Simon, having the head-knowledge of Christ’s supremacy, having the motions of being a disciple memorized…but where exactly did he misunderstand?
What happened in yesterday’s Daily? Extreme persecution for preaching the Word in Jerusalem. And what is happening in today's Daily? The continued preaching of the Word in Judea and Samaria, despite that persecution. Doesn’t this seem like a sort of backward reaction?
Having just healed the lame beggar outside of the temple, Peter and John led those around to wonder how they performed this. But being so filled by Jesus’ recent outpouring of the Spirit, they were able to become witnesses of Jesus.