In brief
Candace was the queen of Ethiopia in the days of the first Christians. The Bible mentions her only once, in connection with her minister, a eunuch who was in charge of all her treasure. Having come to worship in Jerusalem, this high official was reading the prophet Isaiah on his way home. Philip told him about Jesus and baptized him. Through this servant of the queen, the gospel set out for Africa, far beyond Judea.
What does the name Candace, Queen of Ethiopia mean?
Candace is generally understood as a title rather than a personal name: historians link it to the title borne by the queens of the kingdom of Meroe, called Ethiopia in antiquity, south of Egypt. The Bible does not explain it and simply says Candace, queen of the Ethiopians (Acts 8:27).
The story of Candace, Queen of Ethiopia
Philip sent to a desert road
Acts 8:26-27An angel of the Lord tells Philip to go south, to the desert road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. He obeys. On that road is an Ethiopian eunuch, a minister of Candace, queen of Ethiopia, in charge of all her treasure, who has come to Jerusalem to worship.
The queen's treasurer reads Isaiah
Acts 8:28-31Seated in his chariot, Candace's minister is reading the prophet Isaiah. The Spirit tells Philip to go up to him. Philip asks whether he understands what he is reading. The man answers that he needs someone to guide him and invites Philip to climb up and sit with him.
Jesus proclaimed from Isaiah
Acts 8:32-35He is reading the passage about the lamb led silently to the slaughter and asks whom the prophet is speaking about. Philip, starting from this text, tells him the good news of Jesus. The Scripture that the official was reading without understanding finds its fulfillment in Christ.
Baptism and joy
Acts 8:36-39Coming to some water, the eunuch asks what prevents him from being baptized. He declares his belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Philip baptizes him. The Spirit of the Lord then takes Philip away, and the queen's minister continues on his way, rejoicing.
What Candace, Queen of Ethiopia teaches us
- God carries his word to the ends of the earth, beyond every border.
- A high position does not remove the need for a guide to understand Scripture.
- All of Scripture leads to Jesus, the Lamb announced by Isaiah.
- Whoever believes in Jesus Christ can be baptized without delay.
- A single faithful believer can carry the gospel to the court of a kingdom.
Key verses
The only verse that names Candace. It sets the scene of the meeting: a man of great responsibility, who came from far away to worship in Jerusalem. God is already preparing his heart before Philip arrives.
Philip starts from the text of Isaiah to proclaim Jesus. It is a model of evangelism: start from the other person's question and from Scripture to lead to Christ.
The queen's minister goes on his way rejoicing. Joy is the fruit of faith and baptism, and it goes with this new believer on the road to his country.
Frequently asked questions
Did Candace become a Christian?
The Bible does not say. It speaks only of her minister, the eunuch treasurer, who believed in Jesus and was baptized by Philip. What this servant did afterward at the queen's court is not recorded, and it would be unwise to claim anything about it.
What does the name Candace mean?
Candace is generally understood as a royal title rather than a personal name. Historians link it to the title of the queens of Meroe, a kingdom south of Egypt that was called Ethiopia in antiquity. The Bible does not explain the name.
Where can I find the story of Candace in the Bible?
Candace is mentioned in the book of Acts, chapter 8, verse 27. The account in verses 26 to 40 tells of the meeting between Philip and her minister, the Ethiopian treasurer, on the road from Jerusalem to Gaza, and then of his baptism.