Phillip and the Ethiopian

Even in the wilderness, God is working.

When Phillip is sent to the most feared road in Israel—the Gaza wilderness—he’s not sure why. But there, he meets a royal official from Ethiopia, a man considered outcast by society yet deeply hungry for God’s truth. What begins as a chance encounter turns into a life-changing moment as Phillip explains the prophecy of Isaiah and reveals the hope found in Jesus Christ.

With humor, heart, and honesty, Phillip and the Ethiopian shows us that no one is beyond God’s reach—and that baptism is just the beginning of a joyful, transformed life.

Perfect for youth groups, Sunday services, or small-stage productions, this two-person drama resonates with anyone who’s ever felt overlooked, forgotten, or alone on life’s journey.

Because God still meets people on wilderness roads.

Cast: 2 (males)

Set: can be blank
Have 2 chairs on stage, (tall preferably)

Costumes: can be traditional but we recommend contemporary

Props: scroll

Run time: 6 minutes 

Theme: Redemption, inclusion, salvation

Bible Reference: Acts 8:26–39

Sample script:

Eunuch is sitting frozen on stage. Phillip comes on stage. After a moment, he speaks to the audience.

PHILLIP:
My name is Philip, a disciple of Jesus and a proclaimer of the good news...
That's my job, and here is one instance of how God used me to send his message.
It started when an angel of God woke me up and said, “Head south, young man, to Gaza.”
(looks at audience, fearful)
Gaza!
The worst road in all of Israel! It’s a country road with every kind of bandit and murderer hanging out there.
I was petrified at the thought of going there.
But . . . who am I to argue with God?

Phillip walks downstage.

PHILLIP:
And on the Gaza road is where I met a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians.
You do understand . . . Candace was in charge of her entire treasury...
I thought to myself, kind of a dangerous wilderness road to be on when you are carrying money.

Regardless, this traveler... (sharing a secret)
He was a . . . eunuch. Well, no matter, he was on his way home after worshipping in the temple in Jerusalem.
(thinks)
Strange how this man, a eunuch—who was looked upon as defiled—would be worshipping in the temple.

Regardless, the Spirit of God spoke to me, told me to go to the eunuch’s chariot and speak to him.
So I did just that.

Phillip approaches the eunuch’s chariot. The eunuch is reading in a low voice.

PHILLIP:
I overheard the eunuch reading from a scroll. I assumed he had obtained this scroll at the temple in Jerusalem.
As I came nearer, I ascertained that he was reading from the account of the prophet Isaiah.
No light reading, I tell you—and not easily understood by one untrained in the holy books.

So I asked of the eunuch...
Do you understand what you are reading?

Eunuch becomes aware of Phillip’s presence, looks up.

EUNUCH:
How am I to understand if I have no one to guide me through this message?

PHILLIP:
Perhaps I can be of some assistance then.

EUNUCH:
Then what are you waiting for?
Get up here with me in my chariot and be my guide in understanding what is written.

Phillip gets into the chariot (chair) beside the eunuch.

PHILLIP:
Read to me the portion of scripture which you want explained.

Eunuch reads.

EUNUCH:
He was led like a sheep on its way to be killed.
He was silent as a lamb whose wool is being cut off,
And he did not say a word.
He was treated like a nobody
And did not receive a fair trial.
How can he have children,
If his life is snatched away?

Eunuch thinks, frowns, throws his hands up in frustration.

EUNUCH:
Who is the prophet talking about . . . himself . . . or someone else?

Eunuch freezes. Phillip looks out into the audience, proud and excited.

PHILLIP:
Now surely, if there ever was, this was an opportunity to tell the story of salvation through Jesus, the Christ!

Want to see how the story unfolds? DramaShare members get this complete script— and access to our entire library—free! Not a member? You can still grab this individual script and bring it to life.