Acts 7:1
Then said the high - priest. "The glorified countenance of Stephen has caused a pause of surprise and admiration, which the high - priest interrupts by calling upon the accused for his defense" (Gloag).... [ Continue Reading ]
Then said the high - priest. "The glorified countenance of Stephen has caused a pause of surprise and admiration, which the high - priest interrupts by calling upon the accused for his defense" (Gloag).... [ Continue Reading ]
Brethren. Addressing the audience generally. Fathers. Addressing the members of the Sanhedrim. Of glory. Outward, visible glory, as in the shekinah and the pillar of fire. Appeared [ω φ θ η]. See on Luke 22:43.... [ Continue Reading ]
Inheritance [κ λ η ρ ο ν ο μ ι α ν]. See on 1 Peter 1:4. Not so much as to set his foot on [ο υ δ ε β η μ α π ο δ ο ς]. Lit., not even the stepping of a foot. From the original meaning, a pace or step, which occurs only here in the New Testament, comes the sense of a step considered as a raised pla... [ Continue Reading ]
The covenant of circumcision. There is no article, and it is better omitted in rendering. He gave him a covenant, the peculiar character of which is defined by the next word - of circumcision; i e., of which circumcision was the completion and seal.... [ Continue Reading ]
Moved with envy [ζ η λ ω σ α ν τ ε ς]. Compare James 4:1; and see on envying, James 3:14.... [ Continue Reading ]
Afflictions [θ λ ι ψ ε ω ν] See on Matthew 13:21.... [ Continue Reading ]
Sustenance [χ ο ρ τ α σ μ α τ α]. For their cattle : fodder. See on shall be filled, Matthew 5:6.... [ Continue Reading ]
In Egypt [ε ν α ι γ υ π τ ω]. But the best texts read eijv Aigupton, into Egypt, and construe with sent forth : "he sent forth our fathers into Egypt.... [ Continue Reading ]
Joseph's race. Note the repetition of the name. "A certain sense of patriotic pride is implied in it.... [ Continue Reading ]
Threescore and fifteen. Lit., "in [ε ν] threescore and fifteen;" the idiom expressing the sum in which all the individuals were included.... [ Continue Reading ]
When [κ α θ ω ς]. Rev., more correctly, as; the word being not a particle of time, but meaning in proportion as.... [ Continue Reading ]
Another [ε τ ε ρ ο ς]. Not merely a successor, but a monarch of a different character. Knew not. As sixty years had elapsed since Joseph's death, and a new dynasty was coming to the throne, this may be taken literally : did not know his history and services. Some explain, did not recognize his meri... [ Continue Reading ]
Dealt subtilely [κ α τ α σ ο φ ι σ α μ ε ν ο ς]. Only here in New Testament. Lit., to employ cunning against. See on sofov, wise, James 3:13. So that they cast out [τ ο υ π ο ι ε ι ν ε κ θ ε τ α]. Lit., make exposed. The verb ejktiqhmi, to set out, or place outside, is not uncommon in classical Gre... [ Continue Reading ]
Time [κ α ι ρ ω]. Better, season or juncture. "Sad, seasonable" (Bengel). See on Acts 1:7. Exceeding air [α σ τ ε ι ο ς τ ω θ ε ω]. Lit., fair unto God : a Hebrew superlative. Compare Jonah 3:3 : great unto God; A. V., exceeding great. Genesis 10:9, of Nimrod : a mighty hunter before the Lord. 2 Cor... [ Continue Reading ]
Took up [α ν ε ι λ ε τ ο]. Used among Greek writers of taking up exposed children; also of owning new - born children. So Aristophanes : "I exposed (the child) and some other woman, having taken it, adopted [α ν ε ι λ ε τ ο] it" (" Clouds, " 531). There is no reason why the meaning should be limited... [ Continue Reading ]
It came into his heart [α ν ε β η ε π ι τ η ν κ α ρ δ ι α ν]. Lit., "it arose into his heart." " There may be something in the depth of the soul which afterward emerges and ascends from that sea into the heart as into an island "(Bengel). The expression is imitated from the Hebrew, and occurs in the... [ Continue Reading ]
Defended [η μ υ ν α τ ο]. Only here in New Testament. The word means originally to ward off from one's self, with a collateral notion of requital or revenge.... [ Continue Reading ]
Understood [σ υ ν ι ε ν α ι] See on understanding, Mark 12:33.... [ Continue Reading ]
Appeared [ω φ θ η]. With the suggestion of a sudden appearance as in a vision; possibly with the underlying notion of a messenger of God. See on Luke 22:43. Would have set them at one [σ υ ν η λ α σ ε ν α υ τ ο υ ς ε ι ς ε ι ρ η ν η ν]. Lit., drove them together to peace; urged them.... [ Continue Reading ]
The sight [τ ο ο ρ α μ α]. Always in the New Testament of a vision. See on Matthew 17:9. To behold [κ α τ α ν ο η σ α ι]. See on Matthew 7:3. Compare Luke 12:24; Luke 12:27.... [ Continue Reading ]
Trembled [ε ν τ ρ ο μ ο ς γ ε ν ο μ ε ν ο ς]. Lit., having become trembling; having fallen into a tremor.... [ Continue Reading ]
I have seen, I have seen [ι δ ω ν ε ι δ ο ν]. Lit., having seen I saw. A Hebraism. See Exodus 3:7 (Sept.). Compare Jude 1:28 : utterly drive them out; lit., removing did not utterly remove. Jude 1:4 :9 : going I will go; i e., I will surely go. Genesis 37:8 : reigning shalt thou reign; i e., shalt t... [ Continue Reading ]
Deliverer [λ υ τ ρ ω τ η, ν]. Strictly, a ransomer or redeemer. Only here in New Testament, See on ransom, Matthew 20:28; and redeemed, 1 Peter 1:18. By the hand [ε ν χ ε ι ρ ι] The best texts read sun ceiri, "with the hand;" i e., in association with the protecting and helping power of the angel.... [ Continue Reading ]
Lively. Better, living, as Rev. Compare 1 Peter 2:4; 1 Peter 2:5.... [ Continue Reading ]
Turned back in their hearts. Not desiring to go back, but longing for the idolatries of Egypt.... [ Continue Reading ]
Shall go before us. As symbols to be born before them on the march. Compare Nehemiah 9:18.... [ Continue Reading ]
They made a calf [ε μ ο σ χ ο π ο ι η σ α ν]. Only here in New Testament, and not in Septuagint. Bengel says, "A very notorious crime is denoted by an extraordinary and newly - coined word." This was in imitation of the Egyptian bull - worship. Several of these animals were worshipped at different p... [ Continue Reading ]
To worship [λ α τ ρ ε υ ε ι ν]. Rev., more correctly, serve. See on Luke 1:74. The host of heaven. Star - worship, or Sabaeanism, the remnant of the ancient heathenism of Western Asia, which consisted in the worship of the stars, and spread into Syria, though the Chaldaean religion was far from bein... [ Continue Reading ]
Tabernacle of Moloch. The portable tent - temple of the God, to be carried in procession. Moloch was an Ammonite idol to whom children were sacrificed. According to Rabbinical tradition, his image was hollow, heated from below, with the head of an ox and outstretched arms, into which children were l... [ Continue Reading ]
That came after [δ ι α δ ε ξ α μ ε ν ο ι]. Only here in New Testament. The verb originally means to receive from one another, in succession; and that appears to be the more simple and natural rendering here : having received it (from Moses). Rev., very neatly, in their turn. Jesus. Joshua. The name... [ Continue Reading ]
Desired [η τ η σ α τ ο]. More correctly, asked : through Nathan. See 2 Samuel 7:2. Tabernacle [σ κ η ν ω μ α]. It was not a tabernacle or tent which David proposed to build, but a house. See 2 Samuel 7:2. Rev., rightly, habitation. Compare oikon, a house, ver. 47 and 2 Chronicles 6:18.... [ Continue Reading ]
The Most High. In contrast with heathen gods, who were confined to their temples. Temples made with hands [χ ε ι ρ ο π ο ι η τ ο ι ς ν α ο ι ς]. The best texts omit naoiv, temples. The meaning is more general : in things made with hands. The expression is, however, used of a sanctuary in Isaiah 16:1... [ Continue Reading ]
What house. Rev., more correctly, "what manner of house" [π ο ι ο ν].... [ Continue Reading ]
Stiff - necked and uncircumcised [σ κ λ η ρ ο τ ρ α χ η λ ο ι κ α ι α π ε ρ ι τ μ η τ ο ι]. Both only here in New Testament. Resist [α ν τ ι π ι π τ ε τ ε]. It is a very strong expression, implying active resistance. Lit., to fall against or upon. Used of falling upon an enemy. Only here in New Tes... [ Continue Reading ]
Who [ο ι τ ι ν ε ς]. Stronger than the simple relative who, and emphasizing their sin by contrast with their privileges : inasmuch as ye were those who received, etc. By the disposition of angels [ε ι ς δ ι α τ α γ α ς α γ γ ε λ ω ν]. Lit., unto ordinances of angels. Eijv means with reference to. Di... [ Continue Reading ]
They were cut. See on ch. Acts 5:33. In both instances, of anger. A different word is used to express remorse, ch. 2 37. Gnashed [ε β ρ υ χ ο ν]. Originally to eat greedily, with a noise, as wild beasts : hence to gnash or grind the teeth.... [ Continue Reading ]
Being [υ π α ρ χ ω ν]. See on James 2:15. Looked up steadfastly. Compare ch. 1 10; Acts 3:4; Acts 3:12; Acts 6:15; and see on Luke 4:20. Standing. Rising from the throne to protect and receive his servant. Usually Jesus is represented in the New Testament as seated at the Father's right hand. See E... [ Continue Reading ]
I see [θ ε ω ρ ω]. See on Luke 10:18. The Son of man. A title never applied to Christ by any of the apostles or evangelists, except here by Stephen. See on Luke 6:22.... [ Continue Reading ]
Stopped [σ υ ν ε σ χ ο ν]. Lit., held together.... [ Continue Reading ]
Stoned. According to the Rabbis, the scaffold to which the criminal was to be led, with his hands bound, was to be twice the size of a man. One of the witnesses was to smite him with a stone upon the breast, so as to throw him down. If he were not killed, the second witness was to throw another ston... [ Continue Reading ]
Calling upon God. God is not in the Greek. From the vision just described, and from the prayer which follows, it is evident that Jesus is meant. So Rev., the Lord. Jesus. An unquestionable prayer to Christ.... [ Continue Reading ]
Lay not this sin to their charge [μ η σ τ η σ η ς α υ τ ο ι ς τ η ν α μ α ρ τ ι α ν τ α υ τ η ν]. Lit., fix not this sin upon them. He fell asleep [ε κ ο ι μ η θ η]. Marking his calm and peaceful death. Though the pagan authors sometimes used sleep to signify death, it was only as a poetic figure. W... [ Continue Reading ]