Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Acts 7:51

καρδίαις for τῇ καρδίᾳ with אACD. Vulg. ‘cordibus.’

51. σκληροτράχηλοι, Ye stiffnecked. A charge often brought against the Jews in the Old Testament, cf. Exodus 32:9; Exodus 33:3, &c., so that it is a very suitable expression when Stephen is declaring that the people of his time were ‘as their fathers.’

ἀπερίτμητοι, uncircumcised. As the rite of circumcision was the sign of submission to the Jewish religion in its fullest requirements, so the word uncircumcised became a synonym for obstinate resistance to what God had revealed, and the phrase in the text consequently signifies ‘ye who shut your heart and ears against the truth.’

ἀπερίτμητα τὰ ὦτα occurs Jeremiah 6:10 and ἀπερίτμητοι καρδίας Jeremiah 9:26. Cf. also Leviticus 26:41; Ezekiel 44:7; Ezekiel 44:9.

It seems very likely that at this part of his discourse Stephen saw that the language he had been using was distasteful to his audience. Observing this effect he proceeds with language which implied how far they were from being God’s people, though they called themselves Israelites. They were in his eyes as those whom they named ‘sinners of the Gentiles.’ (Galatians 2:15.)

ἀεί, always. From the days of Moses to whom your fathers would not be obedient, down to the days of Jesus whom ye have crucified.

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Acts 7:51

Old Testament

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