What did Simon the sorcerer do in Samaria?

Simon used sorcery and witchcraft in Samaria, bewitching the people and claiming to be some great one. Because of the miracles he performed, the people gave heed to him, from least to greatest, saying he was the great power of God. His power was Satanic, not divine.

Les teaches that Simon was in Samaria and before that time used sorcery and witchcraft, bewitching the people. He gave out that he himself was some great one because of the miracles he could perform. The people, from the least to the greatest, gave heed to him, saying he was the great power of God. But Les explains he was not; he was the power of Satan. This was nothing new, because Moses and Aaron faced Pharaoh’s magicians, and the magicians copied the sign, but Aaron’s serpent swallowed the others, showing God’s power is greater than Satan’s. Les warns not to sell Satan short, recalling missionaries who reported that witch doctors had real power, not gimmicks, but Satanic. So Simon performed miracles and confused the people into thinking he was some great one, but it was not the power of God. Verse 11 says they had regard to him because for a long time he had bewitched them with sorcery.

Acts 8:9

But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:

What did Simon the sorcerer do to the people in Samaria before the gospel came?

Before the gospel came to Samaria, Simon practiced sorcery and witchcraft, bewitching the people and claiming to be some great one. By miracles he performed through Satan’s power, he amazed them from least to greatest, so they gave heed and called him the great power of God, though he was not.