CHAPTER 7 THE CHURCH BEGINS HER MARTYR ROLL—THE MURDER OF STEPHEN § 1. The Apology of Stephen; or, a Vindication of Christianity (Acts 7:1). § 2. The Progenitor of Israel; or, the History of Abraham (Acts 7:2). § 3. The Last of the Patriarchs; or, Joseph a Type of Christ (Acts 7:9). § 4. The... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL REMARKS_ Acts 7:1. The high priest’s question, ARE THESE THINGS SO? analogous to that put to Christ (Matthew 26:62), was equivalent to a modern “Guilty or not guilty?” Acts 7:2. Concerning what Stephen SAID in reply, Luke’s information may have been derived either from Paul, who probably... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL REMARKS_ Acts 7:2. Concerning what Stephen SAID in reply, Luke’s information may have been derived either from Paul, who probably was present on the occasion (Acts 26:10), and afterwards in his own speeches and writings reproduced the martyr’s language (compare Acts 7:48 with Acts 16:24, a... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL REMARKS_ Acts 7:9. MOVED WITH ENVY, or _jealousy_, they, the patriarchs, sold Joseph INTO EGYPT—_i.e._, to be carried thither. Stephen condenses the Genesis narrative. Acts 7:10. The PHARAOH under whom Joseph rose to power was the last of the Hyksos or Shepherd kings, Apophis, who, not b... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL REMARKS_ Acts 7:18. ANOTHER KING WHICH KNEW NOT JOSEPH.—This was Aahmes, the first monarch of the eighteenth dynasty, “a prince of great force of character, brave, active, energetic, liberal, beloved by his subjects” (Rawlinson, _The Story of the Nations—Egypt_, p. 152). Acts 7:19. DEALT... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL REMARKS_ Acts 7:45. OUR FATHERS THAT CAME AFTER should be simply _our fathers._ JESUS is _Joshua_, as in Hebrews 4:8. INTO (lit. in) THE POSSESSION OF THE GENTILES.—Meaning that the Ark was brought in to remain in _the possession of the nations—i.e._, in their land. The R.V. reads, “When... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL REMARKS_ Acts 7:54. CUT TO THE HEART.—See on Acts 7:33. The word describes a keener pang than “pricked “in Acts 2:37. GNASHED ON HIM WITH THEIR TEETH.—Lit. _snapped their teeth against him_, like ferocious animals. The phrase only occurs here. The Sanhedrists “had passed beyond articulate... [ Continue Reading ]