VI. (1) AND IN THOSE DAYS, WHEN THE NUMBER OF THE DISCIPLES WAS MULTIPLIED. — Better, _were being multiplied,_ as by an almost daily increase. The length of the interval between this and the previous chapter is left uncertain. The death of Stephen is fixed by most writers in A.D. 38. THE GRECIANS.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN THE TWELVE CALLED THE MULTITUDE OF THE DISCIPLES. — The Apostles meet the crisis with singular tact and moderation. They do not resent the suspicion; they are not careful to vindicate themselves against it. They remembered, it may be, the precedent presented by the life of Moses (Exodus 18:25),... [ Continue Reading ]
SEVEN MEN OF HONEST REPORT. — The number may have had its origin in the general reverence for the number Seven among the Jews. Possibly, however, the suggestion may have come from the _Libertini_, or Hellenistæ of Rome_,_ where there was a distinct guild, or _Collegium,_ known as the _Septemviri Epu... [ Continue Reading ]
WE WILL GIVE OURSELVES CONTINUALLY TO PRAYER, AND TO THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD. — Literally, _We will persevere in_... These formed the true work of the Apostles, as afterwards of the bishops or elders of the Church. “Prayer” includes the public worship of the Church in all its various developments,... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY CHOSE STEPHEN. — The seven who were chosen all bear Greek names, and it is a natural, though not a necessary, inference, that they were all of the Hellenistic section of the Church, either because that section had a majority, or because the Hebrews generously voted for giving them special r... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THEY HAD PRAYED, THEY LAID THEIR HANDS ON THEM. — This is the first mention of the act in the New Testament. It had had an analogous meaning in the ritual of Israel (Numbers 27:23) in acts of blessing (Genesis 48:13) and the transmission of functions. Its primary symbolism would seem to be that... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WORD OF GOD INCREASED. — The tense indicates gradual and continuous growth. The fact stated implies more than the increase of numbers specified in the next clause. The “word of God” is here the whole doctrine of Christ as preached by the Apostles, and, we must now add, by the Seven who are commo... [ Continue Reading ]
STEPHEN, FULL OF FAITH AND POWER. — The better MSS. give, “full of _grace_ and power.” DID GREAT WONDERS AND MIRACLES. — Better, as preserving the familiar combination, _wonders and signs. _... [ Continue Reading ]
CERTAIN OF THE SYNAGOGUE, WHICH IS CALLED THE SYNAGOGUE OF THE LIBERTINES. — The structure of the sentence makes it probable that the Libertines, the Cyrenians, and the Alexandrians attended one synagogue, those of Cilicia and Asia another. Each of the names has a special interest of its own. (1) Th... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY WERE NOT ABLE. — Better, _had no strength;_ the verb being somewhat more forcible than that commonly translated “to be able.” TO RESIST THE WISDOM AND THE SPIRIT WITH WHICH HE SPAKE. — It is remarkable that Stephen is the first Christian teacher of whom “wisdom” is thus specially predicted. In... [ Continue Reading ]
BLASPHEMOUS WORDS AGAINST MOSES, AND AGAINST GOD. — The words indicate with sufficient clearness the nature of Stephen’s teaching. The charge was a false one, but its falsehood was a distortion of the truth, as that against our Lord had been. He was accused of blasphemy in calling Himself the Son of... [ Continue Reading ]
AGAINST THIS HOLY PLACE. — The new feature of Stephen’s preaching comes into greater prominence.... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS JESUS OF NAZARETH SHALL DESTROY THIS PLACE. — The accusation rested in part on the words of John 2:19, partly on the prediction of Matthew 24:2, which Stephen must have known, and may well have reproduced. It would seem to the accusers a natural inference that He who had uttered the prediction... [ Continue Reading ]
LOOKING STEDFASTLY ON HIM. — St Luke’s characteristic word. (See Note on Acts 1:10.) SAW HIS FACE AS IT HAD BEEN THE FACE OF AN ANGEL. — We can scarcely be wrong in tracing this description to the impression made at the time on St. Paul, and reported by him to St. Luke. It must be interpreted by the... [ Continue Reading ]