What these people were told was to go and *buy* salvation without money and without price. To receive the gift of the Holy Spirit by God's grace. This is what the preaching of the Gospel does (Isa 55:1,2; Rev 22:17).
that is not what the wise said “go buy the Holy Spirit without money” but is filling in what is not there. Because if they sent them to those who sold to buy what can’t be bought with money...it was a fools errand. determined to fail.
They were told to buy from those who sell. Matthew 25:9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so ; lest there be not enough for us and you: but
go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
hopefully there is an agreement the Holy Spirit can’t be bought with money yet the Holy Spirit cost giving up everything that is perishing, that you may have Life. Simon was told “thy money perish with thee”
James said something similar. James 4:13 Go to now,
ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and
buy and sell, and get gain:
And Christ Himself says something similar: Luke 16:9 And
I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that,
when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.
...when you fail. Can relate to going after that which fails. Consider the son who wasted his inheritance and the father received again. Can relate to going after gain or riches or things that never fill or satisfy a thirst or hunger but only deepens it the more. “The Spirit and the bride say, Come.”
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
There is both in Revelation 3:17-18 He who is rich, and increased with goods, and has need of nothing. Knowing not that he is wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked...God says there what His counsel is: buy of him gold tried in the fire ...that you may have something that doesn’t perish.