ARE THESE THINGS SO? (ε ταυτα ουτως εχε). On this use of ε in a direct question see on Acts 1:6. Literally "Do these things hold thus?" A formal question by the high priest like our "Do you plead guilty, or not guilty?" (Furneaux). The abrupt question of the high priest would serve to break the ev... [ Continue Reading ]
BRETHREN AND FATHERS (ανδρες αδελφο κα πατερες). The spectators (brethren) and members of the Sanhedrin (fathers) as Paul in Acts 22:1.HEARKEN (ακουσατε). First aorist (ingressive) active imperative, Give me your attention now.THE GOD OF GLORY (Hο θεος της δοξης). The God characterized by glor... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH I SHALL SHEW THEE (ην αν σο δειξω). Indefinite relative clause with αν and the aorist active subjunctive (same form in first person singular as the future active indicative). Abraham followed on as God led him.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN HIS FATHER WAS DEAD (μετα το αποθανειν αυτον). Μετα with the accusative of the articular infinitive and the accusative of general reference (αυτον), regular Greek idiom. In Genesis 11:32 it is stated that Terah died at Haran at the age of 205. There are various explanations of the discrepanc... [ Continue Reading ]
NOT SO MUCH AS TO SET HIS FOOT ON (ουδε βημα ποδος). From Deuteronomy 2:5. Old word from βαινω, to go, to step. "Stepping of a foot," only instance of this original meaning in the N.T. From this it comes to mean a platform reached by steps, official seat of a judge (Matthew 27:19). The field purc... [ Continue Reading ]
ON THIS WISE (ουτως). A free quotation from Genesis 15:13.SHOULD SOJOURN (εστα παροικον). Shall be a sojourner, Παροικος (παρα, beside, οικος, home), one dwelling near one's home, but not of it, so a stranger, foreigner, old word, often in LXX, temporary residence without full rights of citizen... [ Continue Reading ]
WILL I JUDGE (κρινω εγω). Future (accent on ω) active indicative of κρινω and εγω (I) expressed is emphatic.IN THIS PLACE (εν τω τοπω τουτω). Quoted from Exodus 3:12 and referring to Sinai or Horeb, but Stephen applies it to the Promised Land.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE COVENANT OF CIRCUMCISION (διαθηκην περιτομης). A covenant marked by (genitive) circumcision (no article) of which circumcision is the sign (Romans 4:11) as set forth in Genesis 17:9-14. In the ancient Greek διαθηκη was usually will (Latin, _testamentum_) and συνθηκη was used for covenant (συν... [ Continue Reading ]
MOVED WITH JEALOUSY (ζηλωσαντες). First aorist active participle of ζηλοω, old verb from ζηλος (Acts 5:17), to burn or boil with zeal, and then with envy as here (Acts 17:5, etc.) and Genesis 37:11.... [ Continue Reading ]
DELIVERED HIM OUT (εξειλατο αυτον εκ). First aorist middle indicative of εξαιρεω, old verb to take out, snatch out. Note repetition of εκ.PHARAOH KING OF EGYPT (Φαραω βασιλεως Αιγυπτου). Pharaoh is not a name, but a title, the Egyptian _per_ meaning great house.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOUND NO SUSTENANCE (ουχ ηυρισκον χορτασματα). Imperfect active, kept on not finding.CHORTASMATA is fromCHORTAZO , originally to feed with grass (χορτος) or herbs. Old word, but only here in the N.T. and includes food for both men and animals. In Genesis 24:25; Genesis 24:32 it is fodder for... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT THERE WAS CORN (οντα σιτια). Participle (present active of ειμ) in indirect discourse, after ακουσας, "heard of corn being in Egypt." Σιτια is diminutive of σιτος and means grain (wheat, barley, not our maize or Indian corn), old word also for provisions, victuals, here only in the N.T.THE F... [ Continue Reading ]
AT THE SECOND TIME (εν τω δευτερω). This expression only here in the N.T. This second visit is recorded in Genesis 45:1.BECAME MANIFEST (φανερον εγενετο). In Genesis 41:12 the fact that Joseph was a Hebrew had been incidentally mentioned to Pharaoh, but now it was made clear to him.... [ Continue Reading ]
THREE-SCORE AND FIFTEEN SOULS (εν ψυχαις εβδομηκοντα πεντε). Stephen follows the LXX which counts some grandchildren of Joseph and so makes it 75 whereas Genesis 46:26 has 66 and then the next verse makes it Acts 7:70 including Jacob and Joseph with his two sons. The use of εν means "consisting i... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY WERE CARRIED OVER UNTO SHECHEM (μετετεθησαν εις Συχεμ). First aorist passive of μετατιθημ, only here in the N.T. in this sense of changing places. Jacob was buried in the cave of Machpelah (Genesis 50:13). The O.T. does not say where the sons of Jacob were buried save that Joseph was buried... [ Continue Reading ]
DREW NIGH (ηγγιζεν). Imperfect active, was drawing nigh.... [ Continue Reading ]
ANOTHER KING (βασιλευς ετερος). A different kind of king also, probably a king of the new dynasty after the shepherd kings had been expelled from Egypt.WHO KNEW NOT JOSEPH (ος ουκ ηιδε τον Ιωσηφ). Second past perfect of οιδα used like an imperfect. Joseph's history and services meant nothing to... [ Continue Reading ]
DEALT SUBTILLY (κατασοφισαμενος). First aorist middle participle of κατασοφιζομα, late compound (κατα and σοφιζω, old verb, to make wise, to become wise, then to play the sophist), perfective use of κατα. In the LXX, but here only in the N.T. To use fraud, craft, deceit.THAT THEY SHOULD CAST OUT... [ Continue Reading ]
EXCEEDING FAIR (αστειος τω θεω). Ethical dative, fair to God (as God looked at him). Αστειος is from αστυ, city, and so means "of the city," with city manners and polish. Old word, only twice in the N.T. (here and Hebrews 11:23) and both times about Moses and taken from Exodus 2:2.HE WAS NOURISHE... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN HE WAS CAST OUT (εκτεθεντος αυτου). Genitive absolute with first aorist passive participle of εκτιθημ.TOOK UP (ανειλατο). Second aorist middle indicative (with first aorist vowel α instead of ε as often in the _Koine_) of αναιρεω, common in the N.T. in the sense of take up and make away wit... [ Continue Reading ]
WAS INSTRUCTED (επαιδευθη). First aorist passive indicative of παιδευω, to train a child (παις), the usual idea in ancient Greek as here. The notion of chastisement (Hebrews 12:6) is also in the old Greek and especially in the LXX and the N.T. Here with instrumental case (παση σοφια) or the locat... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN HE WAS WELL-NIGH FORTY YEARS OLD (Hως επληρουτο αυτω τεσσαρακονταετης χρονος). A rather awkward Greek idiom for the English: "When a forty year old time (same idiom in Acts 13:18 and only twice in the N.T.) was being fulfilled (επληρουτο, imperfect passive) for him (dative case)." The life o... [ Continue Reading ]
SUFFER WRONG (αδικουμενον). Present passive participle of αδικηο. By blows (Exodus 2:11).AVENGED (εποιησεν εκδικησιν). First aorist active indicative of ποιεω. This idiom occurs in Luke 18:7 with εκδικησιν (this from εκδικεω and that from εκδικος without right or law δικη and then exacting law... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SUPPOSED (ενομιζεν). Imperfect active of νομιζω. He was supposing, Stephen explains, when he smote the Egyptian.THAT HIS BRETHREN UNDERSTOOD (συνιενα τους αδελφους). Present active infinitive of συνιημ, to send (put) together, to grasp, to comprehend, in indirect discourse with the accusativ... [ Continue Reading ]
THE DAY FOLLOWING (τη επιουση ημερα). Locative case, "on the following day" (from επειμ, to come upon, to approach, present active participle επιων -ουσα, -ον). Common phrase in old Greek both with ημερα (day) as here and without as Acts 16:11. Only in Acts in the N.T.APPEARED (ωφθη). First aor... [ Continue Reading ]
THRUST HIM AWAY (απωσατο αυτον). First aorist middle indicative (_Koine_ for Attic απεωσατο) of απωθεω, to push away from oneself in middle voice as here, common in old Greek. Again in verse Acts 7:39; Acts 13:46; Romans 11:1; 1 Timothy 1:19. It is always the man who is doing the wrong who is har... [ Continue Reading ]
WOULDEST THOU KILL ME? (μη ανελειν με συ θελεις). Expecting the answer no, but a thrust direct at Moses, Do you wish to kill me (note με συ right together,ME THOU ). See Exodus 2:14 quoted by Stephen.... [ Continue Reading ]
SOJOURNER (παροικος). Temporary dweller (cf. Abraham in verse Acts 7:6) in Midian though for forty years.... [ Continue Reading ]
Sentence begins with genitive absolute again.IN A FLAME OF FIRE IN A BUSH (εν φλογ πυρος βατου). Horeb in Exodus 3:1; but Sinai and Horeb were "probably peaks of one mountain range" (Page), Horeb "the mountain of the dried-up ground," Sinai "the mountain of the thorns." Literally, "in the flame of... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SIGHT (το οραμα). Used of visions in the N.T. as in Matthew 17:9.AS HE DREW NEAR (προσερχομενου αυτου). Genitive absolute with present middle participle of προσερχομα.A VOICE OF THE LORD (φωνη κυριου). Here the angel of Jehovah of verse Acts 7:30 is termed Jehovah himself. Jesus makes pow... [ Continue Reading ]
HOLY GROUND (γη αγια). The priests were barefooted when they ministered in the temple. Moslems enter their mosques barefooted today. Cf. Joshua 5:15.SANDAL (υποδημα, bound under) is here "a distributive singular" (Hackett). Even the ground near the bush was "holy," a fine example for Stephen's... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE SURELY SEEN (ιδων ειδον). Imitation of the Hebrew infinitive absolute, (Exodus 3:7) "Seeing I saw" (cf. Hebrews 6:14).THE AFFLICTION (την κακωσιν). From κακοω, to treat evilly (from κακος, evil). Old word, here only in the N.T. and from Exodus 3:7.GROANING (στεναγμου). Old word from στ... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS MOSES (Τουτον τον Μωυσην). Rhetorical repetition follows this description of Moses (five times, anaphora, besides the use here, six cases of ουτος here about Moses: verse Acts 7:35 twice, Acts 7:36; Acts 7:37; Acts 7:38; Acts 7:40). Clearly Stephen means to draw a parallel between Moses and... [ Continue Reading ]
LIKE UNTO ME (ως εμε). This same passage Peter quoted to the crowd in Solomon's Porch (Acts 3:22). Stephen undoubtedly means to argue that Moses was predicting the Messiah as a prophet like himself who is no other than Jesus so that these Pharisees are in reality opposing Moses. It was a neat tur... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE CHURCH IN THE WILDERNESS (εν τη εκκλησια εν τη ερημω). Better rendered "congregation" here as in Hebrews 2:12 (Psalms 22:22), the people of Israel gathered at Mt. Sinai, the whole nation. Moses is here represented as receiving the law from an angel as in Hebrews 2:2; Galatians 3:19 (Deutero... [ Continue Reading ]
TO WHOM (ω). That is Moses, this Moses.WOULD NOT BE (ουκ ηθελησαν γενεσθα). Aorist active, negative aorist, were unwilling to become (γενεσθα) obedient.THRUST HIM FROM THEM (απωσαντο). Indirect middle of the very verb used of the man (verse Acts 7:27) who "thrust" Moses away from him.TURNED B... [ Continue Reading ]
GODS WHICH SHALL GO BEFORE US (θεους ο προπορευσοντα ημων). Exodus 32:1. As guides and protectors, perhaps with some allusion to the pillar of fire and of cloud that had gone before them (Exodus 13:21). The future indicative here with ο (relative) expresses purpose.YE WOT NOT (ουκ οιδαμεν). We... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY MADE A CALF (εμοσχοποιησαν). First aorist active indicative of μοσχοποιεω, here only in the N.T. and unknown elsewhere. The LXX (Exodus 32:3) has εποιησε μοσχον from which phrase the word is evidently made. Aaron made the calf, but so did the people (Exodus 32:35).THE IDOL (τω ειδωλω). Ste... [ Continue Reading ]
GAVE THEM UP (παρεδωκεν). First aorist active indicative of παραδιδωμ. This same form occurs three times like clods on a coffin in a grave in Romans 1:24; Romans 1:26; Romans 1:28 where Paul speaks of God giving the heathen up to their lusts.TO SERVE THE HOST OF HEAVEN (λατρευειν τη στρατια του... [ Continue Reading ]
THE TABERNACLE OF MOLOCH (την σκηνην του Μολοχ). Or tent of Moloch which they took up after each halt instead of the tabernacle of Jehovah. Moloch was the god of the Amorites to whom children were offered as live sacrifices, an ox-headed image with arms outstretched in which children were placed... [ Continue Reading ]
THE TABERNACLE OF THE TESTIMONY (η σκηνη του μαρτυριου). Probably suggested by the mention of "the tabernacle of Moloch" (verse Acts 7:43). See on Matthew 17:4 for discussion of σκηνη (from σκια, shadow, root σκα, to cover). This first sanctuary was not the temple, but the tent in the wilderness.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH (ην). Agreeing with σκηνην, not with τυπον.IN THEIR TURN (διαδεξαμενο). First aorist middle participle of διαδεχομα, to receive through another, to receive in sucession or in turn. Late Greek, only here in N.T. Deissmann (_Bible Studies_, p. 115) argues from a second century B.C. papyrus... [ Continue Reading ]
ASKED (ηιτησατο). Aorist middle (indirect) indicative, asked for himself (as a favour to himself). Cf. 2 Samuel 7:2.A HABITATION (σκηνωμα). Like Psalms 132:5, but it was a house that David proposed to build (2 Samuel 7:2), not a tent (σκηνη) which already existed. Σκηνωμα here means a more perm... [ Continue Reading ]
HOWBEIT (αλλ'). By contrast with what Solomon did and David planned. Note emphatic position of "not" (αλλ' ουχ), "But not does the Most High dwell." The presence of the Most High is not confined in any building, even one so splendid as Solomon's Temple as Solomon himself foresaw and acknowledged... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT MANNER OF HOUSE (Ποιον οικον). What sort of a house? This interrogative is sometimes scornful as in Acts 4:7; Luke 6:32 (Page). So Stephen shows by Isaiah that Solomon was right that the temple was not meant to "confine" God's presence and that Jesus had rightly shown that God is a spirit an... [ Continue Reading ]
STIFFNECKED (σκληροτραχηλο). From σκληρος (hard) and τραχηλος, neck, both old words, but this compound only in the LXX and here alone in the N.T. Critics assume that Stephen was interrupted at this point because of the sharp tone of the speech. That may be true, but the natural climax is sufficie... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH OF THE PROPHETS (τινα των προφητων). Jesus (Luke 11:47; Matthew 23:29-37) had charged them with this very thing. Cf. 2 Chronicles 36:16.WHICH SHEWED BEFORE (προκαταγγειλαντας). The very prophets who foretold the coming of the Messiah their fathers killed.THE COMING (της ελευσεως). Not i... [ Continue Reading ]
YE WHO (οιτινες). The very ones who, _quippe qui_, often in Acts when the persons are enlarged upon (Acts 8:15; Acts 9:35; Acts 10:41; Acts 10:47).AS IT WAS ORDAINED BY ANGELS (εις διαταγας αγγελων). About angels see on Acts 7:38. Διαταγη (from διατασσω, to arrange, appoint) occurs in late Greek... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THEY HEARD (ακουοντες). Present active participle of ακουω, while hearing.THEY WERE CUT TO THE HEART (διεπριοντο ταις καρδιαις). See Acts 5:33 where the same word and form (imperfect passive of διαπριω) is used of the effect of Peter's speech on the Sadducees. Here Stephen had sent a saw t... [ Continue Reading ]
AND JESUS STANDING (κα Ιησουν εστωτα). Full of the Holy Spirit, gazing steadfastly into heaven, he saw God's glory and Jesus "standing" as if he had risen to cheer the brave Stephen. Elsewhere (save verse Acts 7:56 also) he is pictured as sitting at the right hand of God (the Session of Christ) a... [ Continue Reading ]
OPENED (διηνοιγμενους). Perfect passive predicate participle of διανοιγνυμ (cf. Matthew 3:16; Luke 3:21).THE SON OF MAN (τον υιον του ανθρωπου). Elsewhere in the N.T. in Christ's own words. Here Stephen may refer to the words of Jesus as preserved in Matthew 26:64.... [ Continue Reading ]
STOPPED THEIR EARS (συνεσχον τα ωτα αυτων). Second aorist active of συνεχω, to hold together. They held their ears together with their hands and affected to believe Stephen guilty of blasphemy (cf. Matthew 26:65).RUSHED UPON HIM WITH ONE ACCORD (ωρμησαν ομοθυμαδον επ' αυτον). Ingressive aorist a... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY STONED (ελιθοβολουν). Same verb and tense repeated, they kept on stoning, they kept it up as he was calling upon the Lord Jesus and making direct prayer to him as "Lord Jesus" (Κυριε Ιησου).RECEIVE MY SPIRIT (δεξα το πνευμα μου). Aorist middle imperative, urgency, receive it now. Many have... [ Continue Reading ]
KNEELED DOWN (θεις τα γονατα). Second aorist active participle of τιθημ, placing the knees (on the ground). This idiom is not in the old Greek for kneeling, but Luke has it five times (Luke 22:41; Acts 7:60; Acts 9:40; Acts 22:36; Acts 21:5) and Mark once (Acts 15:19). Jesus was standing at the r... [ Continue Reading ]