_In those days_ Some time after the fact last recorded had taken place; _when the number of the disciples was multiplied_ For it appears their number increased continually and rapidly, notwithstanding the opposition made by the priests and rulers to the preaching of the gospel: indeed that oppositio... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then the twelve_ For such was now again their number, Matthias having supplied the place of Judas; _called the multitude of the disciples unto them_ Not the rest of the one hundred and twenty merely, but the whole body of Christian converts, they being the persons to whom satisfaction was then due.... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the saying pleased the multitude_ Who had been called together upon this occasion; _and_ After some little deliberation upon the choice that was to be made; _they chose seven_ It seems all Hellenists, as their names show; a measure which accorded very well with the occasion of their election; _... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the word of God increased_ The matter of the complaint, and other hinderances being thus removed, and the apostles more entirely at leisure to attend to the great and peculiar duties of their office, the success of the word _increased, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem was_, σφοδρα,... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Stephen, full of faith and power_ That is, of a strong faith, by which he was enabled to do extraordinary things. They that are full of faith are full of power, because, by faith the power of God is engaged for us. Some valuable copies, however, read χαριτος, _grace_, instead of πιστεως, _faith... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then they suborned men_ As they found they were incapable of defending themselves by fair argument, they had recourse to a most mean and dishonest fraud; _they suborned men_ to bear false witness against him, and depose that they had _heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses_ Their great and... [ Continue Reading ]
_And all that sat in the council_ The priests, rulers, scribes, and elders; _looking steadfastly on him_ As being a stranger, and one whom they had not till now had before them, _saw his face as it had been the face of an angel_ Covered with a supernatural lustre, like that which appeared on the fac... [ Continue Reading ]