Bitterness, Gall of. The word χολή, 'gall,' occurs in Matt. 27:34. and the word for ' bitterness,' πικρία, in Rom. 3:14; Eph. 4:31; Heb. 12:15. The translation in Acts 8:23 is literal, except that it should be 'a gall of bitterness.' Peter saw that Simon was still in the state of nature which is only bitterness.