Bible Commentary

Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept [it.] 53. who have received ] Better, ye who received the Law from Sinai. by the disposition of angels ] Better, at the ministration of angels. St Paul (Gal 3:19) has the same expression concerning the Law, that it was “ministered … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 7:53”

Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which showed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: 52. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? ] Better, did not your fathers persecute? Cp. the history, 2Ch … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 7:52”

Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers [did,] so [do] ye. 51. Ye stiffnecked ] A charge often brought against the Jews in the Old Testament, cp. Exo 32:9; Exo 33:3, &c., so that it is a very suitable expression when Stephen is declaring … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 7:51”

Hath not my hand made all these things? Verse 50. Hath not my hand made all these things?] Stephen certainly had not finished his discourse, nor drawn his inferences from the facts already stated; but it is likely that, as they perceived he was about to draw conclusions unfavourable to the temple and its ritual, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 7:50”

Heaven [is] my throne, and earth [is] my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what [is] the place of my rest? 49. Heaven is my throne, &c.] The quotation is nearly verbatim from the LXX. Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Heaven is my throne – See the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 7:49”

Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, 48. Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet ] The oldest authorities omit temples. We must supply some English word to complete the sense; perhaps houses. Stephen allows that in the days … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 7:48”

But Solomon built him a house. But Solomon … – Built the temple. David was not permitted to do it because he had been a man of war, 1Ch 22:8. He prepared the principal materials for the temple, but Solomon built it, 1 Chr. 22: Compare 1 Kings 6. Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 7:47”

Who found favor before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob. 46. to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob ] referring to Psa 132:5, “Until I find out a place for the Lord, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.” A reading which is largely accepted gives, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 7:46”

Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Joshua into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drove out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David; 45. Which also our fathers that came after ] Better, having received it after. For all the generation that came out of Egypt … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 7:45”

Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen. 44. Our fathers had the tabernacle of Witness [of the testimony ] in the wilderness ] The name is found first Exo 38:21. The ark … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 7:44”